Cabane 7L Installation by Manuel Bouzas: A Timber Observatory Overlooking Villa Medici Gardens, Rome

Manuel Bouzas’ Cabane 7L is a remarkable timber installation and observatory crafted for the 2024 Festival des Cabanes at Villa Medici, home of the French Academy in Rome. Perched on one of the highest points of the eternal city, this unique pavilion redefines how visitors experience the iconic Renaissance gardens, offering elevated perspectives previously unseen in Rome. The installation not only serves as a cultural platform but also celebrates the dialogue between architecture, landscape, and art.

A Contemporary Tribute to Villa Medici Gardens

The design of Cabane 7L draws inspiration from the historic topography and cultural heritage of Villa Medici. In the sixteenth century, Ferdinando I de’ Medici transformed Cardinal Ricci’s residence on the Pincian Hill into a Renaissance villa celebrated for its gardens and architectural elegance. Over centuries, generations of Romans have observed the iconic pine trees shaping the landscape of the academy’s gardens. Bouzas’ installation invites reflection: What stories have these centuries-old trees witnessed?

Innovative Timber Architecture

Constructed entirely from sustainable mass timber, Cabane 7L exemplifies eco-conscious design. The structure consists of six timber porticos supporting two platforms: a ground-level public space and a 7-meter-high observation deck. The lower platform hosts cultural events, performances, and public gatherings, while the upper platform provides a contemplative space with rocking chairs, benches, and a picnic table, allowing visitors to rest and enjoy panoramic views over Rome’s skyline.

The installation features a cross-laminated timber staircase diagonally bracing the structure, mirroring the steps of the historic helical staircase inside Villa Medici’s palace. At the summit, a V-shaped timber canopy shields the observatory from sun and rain while encouraging natural ventilation across the hill.

Sustainable Construction and Prefabrication

Cabane 7L highlights low-carbon construction techniques. All beams, manufactured by SIDO Madera in Spain, were industrially processed using dovetail joints, eliminating the need for steel brackets and reducing the project’s carbon footprint. The timber, shipped by boat to Rome, minimized emissions associated with traditional transport. Half of the structure’s weight represents the CO₂ captured during photosynthesis, reinforcing its environmental credentials.

Assembly was remarkably efficient: the lightweight prefabricated beams allowed a team of one to two people to erect the structure manually in just five days. To ensure stability without permanent foundations, the ground platform incorporates 16 water storage bags of 260 liters each, providing wind resistance while preserving the landscape.

A Cultural and Experiential Hub

From May 22 to September 29, 2024, Cabane 7L hosts diverse cultural activities, including concerts, performances, and interactive dialogues with artists and architects. Collaborating with Librairie 7L and CHANEL, the installation transforms Villa Medici into a living laboratory, exploring the intersection of temporary architecture, sustainable materials, and public engagement.

Cabane 7L embodies the essence of the festival des cabanes, where six installations activate the gardens of the French Academy, turning historic landscapes into experimental spaces for architectural exploration.

Key Features:

• Material: Certified laminated fir, mass timber
• Structure: Six timber porticos, cross-laminated staircase, V-shaped canopy
• Platforms: Ground-level public area + 7m observation deck
• Construction: Prefabricated beams, manual assembly in 5 days
• Sustainability: Low-carbon timber, shipped by boat, CO₂ sequestration

Why Cabane 7L Stands Out:

Cabane 7L bridges history and contemporary design, offering an immersive Renaissance garden experience while demonstrating the potential of temporary timber architecture. It celebrates eco-conscious construction, public engagement, and a dialogue between nature, art, and urban heritage—a testament to modern sustainable design in Rome.

All photographs are works of  Luis Diaz