Forest Walk

Program: Cabin
Location: Lake Bezdibene, Latvia
Size: 100sm
Client: Ozolini Foundation
Year: 2019
Status: Competition Entry

Living in a forest is likely an ideal way of living as being a part of nature. Walking through foggy forest, hearing sound of birds, fishing at a lake, and feeling the seasonal change of trees are the great moments that could happen in a forest. 

The site is located in a beautiful forest which is adjacent to the lake Bezdibene and mainly accessible from Ozolini Household. It is featured with extensively grazed and selectively logged mixed-species forest, wetlands, solitary trees, old farms, and arable fields, meadow, and pastures. 

The idea is to extend path from Ozolini Household to the lake through forest, while experiencing the forest from low to high with the elevational change of the path. On the ground, walking through dancing small plants. In the mid-level, stay in a hut close to tree trunks and leaves. Finally, the highest point of path, freely open view to the lake is the best for meditation. Trees are diverse and tall enough to be used to hang the man-made path and volume as structural columns. Local wood reforms into steps, louver, living space, and deck that are minimally designed. 

The Forest Walk is a continuous path in the forest which impacts the ecosystem the least. Since it is floated, none of the structure interrupts the existing soil and plants on the ground surface. Simple detail of hanging system to the trees are strong enough to support the 12m height Floating Walk and Stay Cabin, this system is flexible not to damage the trees. The Floating Walk consists of structural wood stringers, treads, and wood louvers. The narrow path still gets enough natural light and allow to feel calm and relaxing with the layer of louver screen. Stay Cabin, which is located 2/3 height of the Floating Walk which has minimum space and weather-proof insulated enclosure for comfortable stay. The large hinged windows offer a forest view while dinning and relaxing. Dry Bathroom is located nearby the entry of Floating Walk on the ground. Both living space and bathroom are finished by locally grown wood in order to reduce its existence. In a way, nature and manmade objects are blended and harmonized in a primitive forest. The Meditation Deck at the ridge of the Floating Walk, is dramatically open to the lake Bezdibene from the narrow path. It is calm, relaxing and unbothered space for meditation.