Following last year's initial unveiling, the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Nokken have officially begun rolling out their innovative Softshell cabin, a 387-square-foot modular structure specifically designed for the growing glamping market. The cabin represents a new approach to outdoor hospitality, combining the transportability of traditional camping equipment with the comfort and functionality expected in glamping accommodations that offer more amenities than camping but remain more rustic than hotel stays.
The Softshell features a distinctive design built around a timber frame wrapped in canvas panels, creating a sharply pitched silhouette reminiscent of classic A-frame cabins. The exterior canvas is constructed from a cotton-polyester blend material and is available in three color options: khaki, dark green, and navy. This hybrid structure offers considerable functionality within its compact footprint, including a fully equipped kitchenette, bathroom facilities, windows for natural light, and a comfortable sitting area for relaxation.
One of the most innovative features of the Softshell is how it maximizes vertical space through its steep roofline design. The height created by the pitched roof allows for a unique sleeping loft suspended in netting, creating a hammock-like bedroom experience that adds to the cabin's adventure appeal while maintaining practical sleeping accommodations.
According to Nathan Aylott, co-founder of Nokken, the Softshell project with BIG was specifically developed to address what he sees as a lack of variety in the current glamping market. "Over the last fifteen or twenty years, the marketplace has been dominated by bell tents or yurts. They've almost become the default option if you're setting up a glamping site," Aylott explained. The collaboration aims to provide glamping operators with an immediately recognizable cabin format while maintaining a lighter environmental footprint compared to typical prefabricated structures.
The modular design philosophy behind the Softshell prioritizes ease of assembly and transportation. Each complete unit ships in just four crates, allowing operators to install cabins without requiring extensive construction infrastructure or heavy machinery. The assembly process has been engineered for simplicity – two people can raise the entire frame structure in just a few hours by joining precut timber components and securing them with metal bolts. This streamlined construction approach makes it possible to install Softshell cabins in remote or challenging locations where conventional building methods would be prohibitively difficult or expensive.
The Softshell cabin builds upon BIG's previous experiments in small-scale hospitality architecture, particularly the firm's 2017 Klein Cabin project. That earlier prototype, measuring 183 square feet and featuring a similarly sharp-angled roofline, never entered full production but provided crucial design insights that informed the Softshell's distinctive profile. Meanwhile, Nokken has established itself as a leader in compact prefabricated cabin design, bringing expertise in flexibility and customization to the collaboration.
"The Softshell is a blank slate inside," Aylott noted, emphasizing the product's adaptability. "We made it non-brand specific because we're a hardware company. We make items for operators, hotels, and land owners to adopt and pivot to match their own brand." This approach allows for significant customization through landscape integration, interior finishes, and design choices that can reflect each operator's unique brand identity and aesthetic preferences.
The base Softshell cabin is priced at $22,500, with pre-orders currently available through Nokken's website and worldwide delivery options. Operators can enhance their cabins' functionality through various optional add-ons, including acoustic insulation for noise reduction, additional kitchen modules for expanded cooking capabilities, and deck extensions that increase outdoor living space.
Looking toward future development, Nokken and BIG are working on several upgrades to expand the Softshell's capabilities and climate adaptability. Planned improvements include thermal insulation systems for use in colder climates, wood-burning stove installations for heating and ambiance, and loft extensions that would incorporate en suite bathroom facilities. These enhancements will allow the Softshell to operate effectively in a broader range of environments and seasonal conditions, potentially expanding its market appeal to year-round glamping operations.
