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Designed with mirror walls, these four cabins perfectly reflect the surrounding woodland, immersing guests in nature.
Located in the small village of Stari Glog, near Zagreb, Croatia, the specially designed Mala Vila retreat follows biophilic and sustainable architecture principles. The complex comprises four cabins that each represents a different element: Aria (air), Ignis (fire), Terra (earth), and Aqua (water). Carefully placed in an organic formation, the cabins occupy only a small section of the total build-up area, which allows the forest to continually grow around them and its ecosystem to thrive. Winding pathways connect the villas while protecting the existing vegetation. Additionally, mirrored walls embed the structures in the natural setting, perfectly reflecting the surroundings. Inside the cabins, guests can fully appreciate the beauty of the site through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
Built with sustainability in mind, Mala Vila’s cottages were prefabricated and then assembled on site to minimize their impact on the natural landscape. The mirror houses feature UV film stickers that allow birds to perceive the cottages as an obstacle and avoid crashing into the walls. Apart from its eco-friendly design and build, the retreat also minimizes waste through recycling and composting; avoids the use of disposable plastic, instead favoring refillable bottles; and focuses on the well-being of the natural habitat with careful forest maintenance and cleaning.
Staying at the Mala Vila, guests can embrace a slower living pace and feel closer to nature. The cabins feature terraces, hammocks, barbecues, and fire pits, with bicycles also available upon request. The retreat offers a range of options for outdoor activities, from forest walks and mushroom foraging to cycling. Eco-friendly and beautifully designed with great respect for the woodland setting, Mala Vila almost disappears in the pristine landscape while always keeping guests immersed in the beauty of nature. Photography© Mala Vila.
