Project: Cabin in La Vera
Architecture: ÁBATON
Location: Extremadura, Spain
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Derek Pedros
The Cabin in La Vera by ÁBATON revitalizes an abandoned holiday home into a sanctuary where traditional architecture meets modern living. Moreover, this integral rehabilitation honors the original structure—its volumetry, materials, and spirit—while weaving in contemporary comforts and sustainable strategies.
A Dialogue Between Old and New
First, ÁBATON approached the project as a “non-intervention” in the landscape. By retaining the cabin’s foundational stone walls and timber framework, the designers preserved the rustic character that once sheltered travelers. At the same time, they introduced insulation, discreet glazing, and photovoltaic panels—thereby marrying vernacular craft with cutting-edge performance. Consequently, the Cabin in La Vera feels both timeless and rigorously efficient.
Embracing the Forest Panorama
Next, the cabin’s plan pivots around a spacious living hall. Here, living, dining, and kitchen zones flow beneath a vaulted ceiling, while an entire façade dissolves into a covered porch. As a result, every seat—from the hearth-side sofa to the dining table—frames uninterrupted views of gall oak groves and misty mountains. Furthermore, two en-suite bedrooms flank this central space, ensuring that sunrise and sunset dramas animate every waking hour.
Materials Sourced from the Land
Meanwhile, sustainability guided every material choice. Locally quarried stone, timber reclaimed from nearby ruins, and native lime plaster root the cabin firmly in its environment. Moreover, the timber cladding was crafted by local carpenters using centuries-old joinery techniques, thus celebrating La Vera’s living traditions. In this way, the cabin does not impose upon the landscape—it grows from it.
Comfort for Solitude or Company
Finally, the cabin accommodates both convivial gatherings and solitary retreats. The oversized hearth warms cool evenings, while night-sky views beckon from under the porch. Additionally, discreet LED lighting and passive ventilation guarantee comfort year-round without betraying the home’s understated aesthetic. Consequently, the Cabin in La Vera becomes more than a vacation spot: it is a living poem of place, crafted for reflection and renewal.
Ultimately, the Cabin in La Vera exemplifies how respectful restoration and modern innovation can coexist in perfect harmony. By honoring what was while embracing what can be, ÁBATON has created a timeless retreat that invites occupants to live lightly, breathe deeply, and rediscover the joy of rustic simplicity.
