Missing Room

At the core of the Missing Room stands a seven-meter-tall monolith: a multifunctional chimney. On one side, the fire powers the ovens, while on the other, it heats water for bathing and warms the area at the front of the space. This towering form responds to the scale of the surrounding trees, rising like a beacon above the canopies, marking its presence in the landscape and guiding visitors with its smoke signals. Concealed doors house two cooking ovens integrated with the chimney's extraction system. Together with the water features, these elements form the heart of the room.

Water, like fire, plays a central role in activating the hidden features of the structure. The water flow is released at the entrance of the structure, filling the main collection channel that distributes the flow into various basins throughout the structure. Users are encouraged to interact with the water systems by adding or removing plugs as needed to direct the flow.

The bath next to the water channel has a built-in natural convection system and fits three to four people. For solo use, the bath's size can be reduced with a partitioning panel to conserve water. Once closed, the bath can be transformed into a heated surface and used as a resting place to sleep.

A sail canopy can be set up to offer shade or protection from rain. By day, the canopy catches dappled shadows cast by the surrounding foliage; by night, it reflects light from built-in recessed lighting, transforming the structure into a glowing lantern.

To protect the land, the modular structure and use of a non-invasive screw-pile foundation ensures that no traces are left behind if the house is required to be removed from the site. The stainless steel refuge is durable, recyclable and resistant to weathering.