In Vermont, USA, a small structure by Dutch designer Caspar Schols sits quietly among the trees. Known as Cabin ANNA, it’s not fixed in the way most homes are. Built from timber and glass, it shifts.
The version here belongs to Yvette Lanneaux, and its simplicity hides something unusual. Two outer shells define the cabin. One is solid wood. The other is glass. Both slide open by hand, changing the space from enclosed to fully exposed in just moments.
A Space That Opens and Closes With You
At its core, Cabin ANNA is about movement. The wooden shell can be pulled back to reveal the glass layer. Open both, and the cabin turns into something closer to an outdoor room. There’s no technology driving it. No automation. Just a physical interaction between person and structure.
Morning might begin with filtered light through glass. By afternoon, the walls can disappear entirely. At night, everything can close again, creating a more sheltered space. The design invites small changes throughout the day, with the structure responding instantly.
From a Law Career to Life on a Farm
The story behind this particular Cabin ANNA starts somewhere unexpected. Yvette Lanneaux was once a lawyer, living in Princeton, New Jersey. In the summer of 2020, she found herself at home, thinking about what came next. That’s when she became interested in sheep.
Specifically, Babydoll Southdown lambs. Small, soft, and almost toy-like in appearance, they pulled her in. She began taking online classes, learning everything she could about farming. By the end of that year, she had bought 60 wooded acres in Vermont. That land would become Sajima Farm.
At first, her setup was minimal. She slept in the back of a Ford F-150 truck while getting started. Then she came across Cabin ANNA.
A Cabin That Fits a New Beginning
Bringing Cabin ANNA to the property added a new layer to the farm. It wasn’t just a place to sleep. It was something flexible, able to shift depending on weather, light, or mood.
The contrast between the two shells, timber and glass, creates a clear visual change each time the cabin is adjusted. Closed, it feels compact and protected. Open, it becomes wide and exposed, with direct views into the surrounding trees.
What’s Inside the Cabin
Despite its compact footprint, Cabin ANNA includes everything needed for a comfortable stay, all fitted within its shifting layout. A small kitchen is built in, keeping things simple but functional for everyday use. There’s also an indoor shower and toilet, giving the cabin a fully self-contained setup.
Sleeping is integrated into the space, with a bed positioned to take advantage of the changing walls. Open the shells, and it sits right under the sky. Close them, and it becomes more enclosed and private.
Beyond that, the cabin adds a few unexpected features. An outdoor shower extends the experience beyond the walls, while an in-floor bath offers a different way to unwind, set directly into the structure itself.
Living With Less, But Experiencing More
There’s a simplicity to how Cabin ANNA works. No extra rooms. No hidden complexity. Just a structure that can expand and contract when needed. For Yvette, now running Sajima Farm, it aligns with a different kind of lifestyle. One that started with a major shift in direction and led to something hands-on and physical.
