This Croatian Lodge Lights up Like a Lantern

Situated in the mountainous region of Gorski Kotar in Croatia you’ll find a lodge with sweeping views of the surroundings that lights up like a lantern at night. Designed by Croatian architect Tomislav Soldo, the Gorski Kotar lodge was built with only three functional elements of design required: pitched roof, compact layout and the presence of wood. Soldo took those minimal requirements and, inspired by a large walnut tree on the property that provided perfect shade, set about creating the 60-square-meter dwelling you see here. The black painted exterior of the two story building makes it rise seamlessly from the surrounding landscape, and it is punctuated with enormous windows for scenic views and plenty of daylight. At night, diagonally-slatted shutters that cover the windows allow interior light to partially escape, which creates the lantern-like effect that makes the lodge even more interesting. The interior has a living area, kitchen, sleeping area and a small basement, all of which are furnished in a way that’s best described as spartan.