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.
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.
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.
The photography is by Jakub Hrab.