A Glass Nest Among Trees

Perched gently atop timber stilts in the Austrian countryside, the Zen House by Jan Tyrpekl is a minimalist retreat that feels both weightless and deeply grounded in nature. Elevated four meters above the orchard floor, the 30 m² glass micro-home was designed for reflection, calm, and connection with the land.

Zen House Architecture Austria Homedit curtains for provacy

Zen House Architecture Austria Homedit curtains for provacy

Zen House Architecture Austria Homedit curtains for provacy

Surrounded by mature trees and a young orchard, the structure blends traditional materials—such as spruce timber and rustic shingles—with a contemporary, transparent shell.

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls erase the boundary between indoors and outdoors, turning every sunrise and evening mist into part of the living space. A suspended fireplace, warm wooden floors, and a custom bed with an integrated bar create a space that’s as functional as it is serene.

Zen House Architecture Austria Homedit curtains for provacy

Zen House Architecture Austria Homedit curtains for provacy

Zen House Architecture Austria Homedit curtains for provacy

The home sits on a CLT (cross-laminated timber) platform and features glued-laminated larch and spruce elements. Designed to be self-contained yet expandable, it includes plans for a sauna, shower, and bathroom at ground level, reinforcing its role as a nature-immersed hideaway that doesn’t compromise comfort.

Zen House Architecture Austria Homedit curtains for provacy

Zen House Architecture Austria Homedit curtains for provacy

Zen House Architecture Austria Homedit curtains for provacy

Zen House Architecture Austria Homedit curtains for provacy

Zen House Architecture Austria Homedit curtains for provacy

The photography is by Jakub Hrab.