You may have already heard of the tiny house movement, the social and architectural movement that is behind encouraging people to live in smaller spaces. This movement has continued to grow in popularity over the last decade or so. From people building their own full-time properties on small plots of land to building summer houses on their own land, the whole movement has helped to encourage individuality and imagination.
Across Belgium, the idea of tiny homes is being used in an interesting way, in the form of surprise holiday retreats that aim to get people back in touch with a more back-to-basics life surrounded by countryside. The Slow Cabins, are they are known, are popping up all over the country, and are worth considering as a holiday destination for your next break.
Entrepreneur Xavier Leclair, is the mastermind behind the concept of Slow Cabins. These are tiny houses that have been designed and constructed with the environment in mind, therefore encouraging its guest to accept and understand nature’s slow rhythm. Each individual cabin starts with a cube constructed from wood and is packed full of environmentally-friendly features including dry toilets, rainwater filtration and collection systems and a fully operational solar panel roof.
With Slow Cabins there is a real, firm emphasis placed on wellness and good health, as the interiors are specifically designed to be minimalist and aim to encourage a simpler, easier way of living. The furniture, walls and flooring are all in blonde-toned wood, creating a Scandinavian feel. There is no Wi-Fi connection or television – so your stay can be fully tech-free.
The cabins have insulated glass windows that offer framed vistas of the surrounding woodland areas and fields and a wood burning stove for chilly weather. Additionally, there is a small terrace for summer days.
You might be able to take a retreat in a Slow Cabin outside of Belgium sometime soon. The start-up, based in Antwerp, is planning on expanding the concept to places throughout Europe.
Images courtesy of Jonas Verhulst / Slow Cabin
