The design of this 12 squaremeter Hermitage came aboutas an expression of theneed for Luca Scardulla andFederico Robbiano, foundersat llabb Architettura, to pass on to theircollaborators the knowledge they had acquired in the yearsleading up to the openingof the studio. In fact, theircareers began in 2013 in agarage in Genoa that theyconverted into a carpentryworkshop. There, as self-taught carpenters, Luca andFederico learned the art of making, designing andfabricating custom furniturepieces. Over time, theirhandcrafted experience hascharacterized the architecturalprojects developed by the studio, which havealways retained traces ofthis attitude, for examplethrough their attention tothe construction process andaccuracy in details.

We are now in the Trebbia Valley in Italy, in the heart of theApennines between Liguriaand Emilia, in a land far fromeverything, not well-knownand wild. Here, on the tracesof steep ancient terraces, thewhole studio has built, in anunusual workshop, a woodenstructure. Completely dry-mounted and detached fromany utility network. Drawinginspiration from Japaneseteahouses and cabinsencountered in Scandinavianforests, the project by the young architects at llabb Architettura exploresan original idea of space andenvironment.

The Hermitage is approachedfrom above.

llabb, The Hermitage, Trebbia Valley, Italy. Anna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi| Studio Campo

The rectangular volume, whichstands off the ground andis positioned perpendicularto the steep slope, is firstcaptured in the rear partfacing northwest. Here onlythe entrance door is visible,marked by a pronouncedboarding and accessiblethrough a footbridge.

The walls that define thecabin and which enclose iton three side are clad withplywood boards arrangedhorizontally. The fourth side facing southeast opens tothe valley. Here the interiorspace extends into a terraceseparated by four full-height glazed panels, one ofwhich can be opened. Thefenestration follows themodularity of the brise-soleilthat surmounts the terrace,which in turn continues the roof structure. A smalllongitudinal window appearson the southwest side.

llabb, The Hermitage, Trebbia Valley, Italy. Anna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi| Studio Campo

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The boards of the threeexterior walls are mountedin such a way as to leave agap that on either side ofthe entrance and on the eastside of the terrace produces afilter effect. Where the wallsenclose the interior space, thisgap is filled with thin, slightlyprotruding profiles, so as todetermine on the facadesa play of shadows thatemphasizes the horizontalpattern. At the floor level andat the top of the building tallcornices run uninterrupted,projecting from the walls anddelimiting the composition.

The construction is supportedby four metal brackets,fitted with wide 60x60-centimeter bases, which reston sandstone beds. The 4legs, composed of paired wooden elements, slender thestructure upward, making itfly above the ground.

llabb, The Hermitage, Trebbia Valley, Italy. Anna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi| Studio Campo

“The simple modularity ofthe structure makes it easilyscalable and adaptable intodifferent compositions. Thebasicness of construction,the minimal impact on theland and the use of naturalmaterials that can be easilysourced locally enable arespectful installation innatural contexts. TheseHermitages put human beingsback in touch with nature bylightening the anthropizationload that marks all buildingactivities,” Luca Scardulla, llabb Architettura founder reveals.

Upon entering this cabin,one is immediately offeredthe view of the valleybelow, mediated by a seriesof features that articulatethe interior space on threedifferent levels.

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, Italy - 1. wall lamp | brand: Artemide, model: Tolomeo Parete, designer: Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina 2. table lamp | brand: Fontana Arte, model: Bilia, designer: Gio PontiAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, Italy - 1. table lamp | brand: Fontana Arte, model: Bilia, designer: Gio Ponti2. chair | brand: Knoll, model: Tulip chair, designer: Eero Saarinen3. tea set | brand: Royal Doulton, model: Olio Black, designer: Barber & OsgerbyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage by llab, Trebbia Valley, ItalyAnna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

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The entrance level featuresa countertop that runs alongthe entire right wall and, inguiding the visitor’s gazeoutward, serves as a seat, adesk, and storage space. The third and final level, to whichone descends after goingthrough the entrance, is theone that defines the largestsurface area, extended ontothe terrace. The wall thatencloses the tiny bathroomaccommodates a fold-outbed that, when open, hoversabove the sofa. The summersun produces a variety ofpatterns of light and shadeinside at different times of theday.

“We paid special attentionto the design of the interiorspace. Minimal and flexible,with the expansive glasswall facing the terrace,the space feels light andcontemplative. The interplaybetween different levelsoffers the possibility to bettermanage storage spaces andtechnical compartments, whilecontributing to the definitionof a graceful atmosphere,”Federico Robbiano, llabb Architettura co-founder shares.

llabb, The Hermitage, Trebbia Valley, Italy. Anna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi| Studio Campo

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The structure's construction

Accuracy, sharp attention to detail and an appreciation of the construction process were the premises ofthe workshop held for twoweeks in the summer of2021, during which the entirellabb studio engaged in theconstruction of this cabin.

The walls, floor, and ceilinghave been pre-assembledand are composed ofOkoumè marine plywoodpanels, a wood chosen forits resistance to weathering.The facades are mountedon spacer battens so as tocreate an air space betweenthe facade and the walls, which improves insulationperformance. The roof is madeof corrugated metal sheet.Above it two photovoltaicpanels, connected to a storagebattery, are installed. Theprototype is designed to betotally off-grid, as there isa compostable toilet andwater canisters. However,the structure can easily beconnected to a sewer systemand water supply.

llabb, The Hermitage, Trebbia Valley, Italy. Anna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi| Studio Campo

Images by Anna Positano,Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo.