Picalo Cabin by Gerard Dombroski Workshop

A Minimalist Retreat in the New Zealand Forest

Nestled beneath a kanuka canopy in Coromandel, the Picalo Cabin by Gerard Dombroski Workshop exemplifies resourceful, small-scale architecture. This 10 m² timber and steel cabin emerged from a month-long residency at Driving Creek Railway (DCR), where the challenge was to create a functional structure using only salvaged and locally sourced materials. With no budget due to COVID-19 constraints, the project became a hands-on exploration of adaptive reuse, craftsmanship, and instinctive design.

Concept: A “Room to View the Trees”

Inspired by its forest setting, the cabin was conceived as a skylight-filled retreat that allows occupants to connect with the surrounding canopy. From the steel frame of an abandoned zipline platform, the cabin’s footprint and stair recess were determined. The design emphasizes two main perspectives: a vertical view up through the skylight and a horizontal view across the treetops, with a gently sweeping roof bridging these vantage points. The resulting experience is immersive, intimate, and deeply connected to the natural environment.

Design Process and Material Reuse

Gerard Dombroski embraced a uniquely Kiwi approach, dedicating much of the project to foraging for materials, dismantling disused structures, and repurposing them into architectural elements. Roughly a third of the time was spent sourcing timber, steel, and other materials from the surrounding area. The cabin’s skatepark-inspired form reflects the architect’s prior experiences with urban skate bowls, infusing the tiny structure with dynamic geometry and playful, curved lines.

Construction began on February 2, with concrete floors poured by the fourth day. Daily routines combined work with community engagement—mornings in local cafes and evenings spent collaborating with other artists and locals. Despite the tight schedule, the cabin was completed before February 25, in time for the architect’s milestone 30th birthday.

Integration with Driving Creek Railway

The Picalo Cabin sits harmoniously within the Driving Creek landscape, respecting both its visual and cultural context. DCR has a longstanding tradition of hosting artists who contribute small structures to the site, and this cabin continues that legacy. The final result is a functional, unconventional retreat, blending exploration, sustainability, and handcrafted detail.

All Photographs are works of Samuel Hartnett