A historic 1970s hotel along Oregon's Rogue River has been transformed into a contemporary wilderness retreat with the addition of twelve striking mirrored cabins designed by prefabricated housing company ÖÖD. The Tu Tu' Tun Lodge, named after the Indigenous Tututni tribe, underwent a comprehensive site-wide renovation after being acquired by Charming Hospitality, which sought to expand the property's accommodation offerings while maintaining its connection to the natural landscape.
The expansion became possible when Charming Hospitality purchased an adjacent piece of land that had previously operated as a trailer park. This strategic acquisition eliminated the need for additional planning permits, allowing the company to install semi-permanent structures across the sloped terrain. The twelve Glass Cabins by ÖÖD were carefully positioned to offer guests unobstructed views of mountains, creeks, or the river while ensuring privacy by preventing the units from overlooking one another.
The cabins' most distinctive feature is their three-sided mirrored exterior walls that create a striking visual effect by reflecting the surrounding environment. "The cabins feature mirrored walls that reflect their surroundings – the vast starry night sky, majestic mountain peaks, the Rogue River and more – while providing guests with unobstructed views," explained the Tu Tu' Tun Lodge team. The floor-to-ceiling glass is specially treated to appear tinted from the interior while maintaining the mirrored effect on the outside.
Despite their compact footprints, each cabin is designed to accommodate two guests comfortably. The interior spaces include double beds, wetrooms equipped with showers and toilets, separate sinks with vanities, small closets, and side tables with chairs. Every cabin also features a private patio or deck furnished with chairs and a fire pit, creating intimate outdoor spaces for relaxation. The strategic positioning ensures that some units face the river while others offer scenic creek and mountain vistas.
The accommodation expansion is complemented by a mirrored wood-burning sauna, also designed by ÖÖD, which sits close to the rocky riverbank. This positioning allows guests to enjoy natural cold plunge experiences in the river between sauna sessions, adding to the property's wellness offerings. The sauna's mirrored exterior echoes the cabin design while blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
The new cabins join the existing accommodations in the main lodge, which maintains its rustic aesthetic while featuring modernized interiors. The original structure houses 18 guest rooms of various sizes and two suites. Additionally, the property offers four houses with two or three bedrooms suitable for families and larger groups. Two of these residences, Otter Point and Fern Creek Cottage, are newly constructed additions that complement the existing River House and Osprey Bend properties.
"With unparalleled views of the river and amenities designed to relax as a group, each charming lodge is outfitted with modern fixtures, and include expansive common areas like a wrap-around furnished deck with outdoor soaking tubs," the development team noted. The main lodge also features a restaurant led by executive chef Derek Piva, who operates under a "wilderness to table" philosophy that highlights Pacific Northwest farmers and local businesses. Guests can dine inside the wood-lined structure beside a cozy stone fireplace or on the outdoor patio overlooking the river.
The property's outdoor amenities extend beyond accommodation to include a swimming pool positioned to take advantage of water and mountain views. The surrounding landscape offers numerous recreational opportunities, including hiking, kayaking, fishing, birdwatching, and guided river tours. "Modeled after the natural textures of the Pacific Northwest, each element of the property is designed to envelop guests in nature," the team emphasized.
The use of prefabricated mirrored cabins has become increasingly popular for rural hospitality projects due to their ease of installation on various terrains and their ability to blend into natural landscapes. However, this trend has also drawn criticism from environmental advocates who express concerns about potential negative impacts on local wildlife. Similar mirrored cabin installations can be found at glamping sites in Quebec, mountain retreats in China's Hubei province, and vineyard properties in Uruguay, demonstrating the global appeal of this architectural approach for eco-tourism destinations.
