In the dense forests of Wakefield, Quebec, a radical architectural statement pierces through the canopy like something from a science fiction film. The MORE Cabin, designed by Ottawa-based Kariouk Architects, represents one of the most audacious residential projects to emerge from Canada’s contemporary architecture scene—a 900-square-foot retreat that floats dramatically 60 feet above the forest floor on a single steel mast.
Architect Paul Kariouk has created more than just a weekend getaway; he’s engineered a bold statement on sustainable design that challenges how buildings should interact with their natural surroundings. Rather than clearing trees or reshaping the landscape, the cabin hovers above it all, supported by what appears to be an impossibly slender steel column that allows the structure to cantilever boldly over a cliff face overlooking a pristine lake.
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The engineering required a sophisticated mix of materials and techniques. The main structure uses cross-laminated timber panels paired with glulam beams and strategic steel reinforcements. This hybrid approach allows the cabin to stay structurally sound while barely touching the environment—literally making contact with the ground at just one point. The precise timber construction creates exceptional insulation, while the material’s natural properties help regulate temperature year-round.
What makes the MORE Cabin truly special is its commitment to working with nature rather than against it. The structure runs completely off-grid, generating its own power and managing water independently. Even more impressive, the steel framework doubles as habitat for endangered bat species, with specially designed cavities that provide safe roosting spaces away from predators. It’s a clever way to turn necessary infrastructure into active conservation.
Inside, the cabin embraces the drama of its perch through expansive windows that frame spectacular views of the lake below and the surrounding forest canopy. The cross-laminated timber construction stays exposed throughout, creating warm, organic surfaces that feel completely at home despite the high-tech engineering needed to achieve such a daring position. Every detail reinforces the sensation of floating among the treetops.
The MORE Cabin points toward a new way of thinking about sustainable retreat design, proving that having minimal environmental impact doesn’t mean settling for minimal architectural ambition. By lifting the entire structure off the forest floor, Kariouk has preserved the existing ecosystem while creating a powerful statement that enhances rather than diminishes its natural setting. As environmental concerns push architects to reduce building footprints, projects like the MORE Cabin offer compelling alternatives to conventional construction.
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