A chicken-shaped observation deck and a geometric classroom were among the innovative installations featured at Cabin Fever 2025, an international architecture festival held in the Czech Republic. The annual event, which took place from July 23 to 31 in the town of Česká Kamenice, brought together students and architects to create whimsical yet functional cabins under the theme "Quality Time – Connection to Each Other."
Organized by Hungarian architecture studio Hello Wood in collaboration with window company Velux, the festival was held on the historic site of a former textile factory and wartime labor camp. The event was established to unite students and architects in creating "socially engaged, sustainable projects through a design-build approach," reflecting Hello Wood's community-focused philosophy.
"The 2025 edition, powered by Velux, explored how light and space shape human experience – placing presence, intimacy, and connection at the center of architecture," the studio explained. "This dialogue with Velux reflects a shared conviction: that the future of building lies in responsibility – in creating spaces with care, with awareness, and with light – offering meaningful alternatives in an overstimulated world."
The Chicken pavilion, designed by Mjölk Architekti, served as both a shelter and observation deck, with its design intended to "reflect the life" of a chicken. The structure featured a straw-covered exterior that doubles as a habitat for insects and birds, while its interior provided a resting place for visitors with protruding red windows offering outward views. "Its whimsical form is a reminder that design is not only about straight lines – it can also bring joy, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the world around us," organizers noted.
Arthur Mamou-Mani created the Živa pavilion as a raised geometric form that functions as a pod where "nature and learning meet." Set against a forest backdrop, the shelter serves as an intimate classroom space designed to provide a collaborative environment for visitors. According to festival organizers, its "intricate geometric form mirrors the balance and harmony found in the wild, while its mossy surroundings invite quiet reflection."
Architect Zak Underwood drew inspiration from the site's textile heritage for his Loom installation, which was adorned with yellow-colored fabrics. Positioned atop a raised platform, the structure creates a sheltered seating area framed by timber columns and beams designed as a reinterpretation of "the mechanics of a loom." "Set on the grounds of a former factory, Loom becomes both shelter and symbol – a tactile reminder of craft, memory, and transformation," festival organizers explained.
The Splinter pavilion, designed by design studio Entropic, featured an angular form with a distinctive red-colored finish. Wooden blocks at the front serve as steps leading to a raised doorway, beyond which the cabin offers a "warm and inviting" sheltered space illuminated by irregularly-placed square windows. "This sheltered retreat balances solitude and connection, ruggedness and comfort, offering a place to unwind, share stories, and truly connect with both nature," organizers described.
Dorottya Kiss and Matthew McArthur designed the Eclosion pavilion as a network of wooden pieces forming an angular structure. The installation's intricate and woven elements drew inspiration from the site's history of textile craft, manufacturing, and the cocoon of a spider. "While you visit this site, you are constantly being woven through the fabric of space and time: you become part of the ever-changing fabric of the site," the event organizers stated.
All photography for the festival was provided by BoysPlayNice. The installations demonstrated how contemporary architecture can blend playfulness with functionality while honoring historical context and promoting community connection. The festival continues to serve as an important platform for experimental architecture that prioritizes human experience and environmental responsibility.
