On the pristine banks of Oregon’s Rogue River, an ambitious expansion has taken place at Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge, a resort named after the Indigenous Tututni tribe. As part of a site-wide renovation, the 1970s hotel has added 12 prefabricated “Glass Cabins” from the Estonian company ÖÖD. These cabins are wrapped in mirrored glass on three sides, creating a perfect camouflage effect, turning them into giant mirrors that reflect the lush forest, majestic mountain peaks, and starry sky. The design’s goal is to blur the line between architecture and landscape, providing guests with an absolute immersive experience in the Pacific Northwest nature, while showcasing a semi-permanent housing solution that is easy to install on any sloped terrain.
Reflective design: the invisible architecture
The core concept of the ÖÖD Glass Cabins is to integrate the architecture into the natural environment as much as possible. Each cabin is wrapped on three sides with specialized tempered glass, treated to achieve a perfect mirrored effect from the outside and a tinted effect from the inside. This allows guests to enjoy unobstructed views of the Rogue River, the creeks, and the surrounding majestic mountains, while the structure itself virtually disappears from external view.
The cabins are strategically placed across the sloped terrain, which was formerly a trailer park, allowing the placement of semi-permanent units without complex planning permission. Crucially, the 12 units are cleverly arranged so as to not overlook one another, ensuring absolute privacy and maintaining a sense of isolation, making each guest feel as if they own a private piece of the landscape. This arrangement demonstrates respect for the natural topography while maximizing unique views for each accommodation unit.
Compact function and amenity
Despite having a compact footprint, each ÖÖD Cabin is designed to accommodate two guests and is fully equipped with modern amenities. The interior layout includes a double bed, a wet room with a shower and toilet, a separate sink, and a small closet. The interiors are minimized to avoid distracting from the external natural scenery, which is considered the living art wall of the room.
Furthermore, each cabin features a small private patio or deck facing outward, complete with seating and a fire pit. This outdoor area acts as an extended living room, encouraging guests to relax under the stars or beside the river. The combination of the compact interior, modern amenities, and the open outdoor space reflects ÖÖD’s philosophy on ecotourism: providing comfortable, luxurious accommodation while maintaining the closest possible physical connection to the surroundings.
Expanding facilities and the culinary experience
The addition of the 12 mirrored cabins is only part of the overall expansion plan for Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge, carried out after the resort was acquired by Charming Hospitality. These cabins join the resort’s diverse accommodation offerings, which include 18 traditional guest rooms and two suites in the main lodge, whose interiors have been modernized while retaining the rustic aesthetic of the 1970s.
Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge has also added four rentable houses (two or three bedrooms) for families and larger groups, including two newly constructed ones: Otter Point and Fern Creek Cottage. These houses are designed with expansive common areas and wrap-around furnished decks featuring outdoor soaking tubs, echoing the natural textures of the Pacific Northwest. A culinary highlight is the restaurant led by executive chef Derek Piva, adhering to a “wilderness to table” ethos that highlights products from local farmers and businesses.
Sustainable stay and environmental caution
The use of prefabricated mirrored cabins like those by ÖÖD is increasingly popular in the ecotourism and hotel industry due to their ease of installation on various terrains and their ability to blend into the landscape. Additionally, the resort has added another mirrored wood-burning sauna, positioned close to the riverbank so guests can enjoy a “natural cold plunge” between sessions, completing the river-connected experience.
However, mirrored architecture is not without controversy. While it provides a stunning aesthetic effect, opponents frequently voice concerns about potential harm to wildlife, especially birds that mistake the reflection for open space. This raises a crucial question for designers: how to achieve architectural camouflage without harming the local ecosystem? Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge is navigating this balance between a luxurious, nature-connected retreat experience and the responsibility of protecting the Pacific Northwest environment.
