• French company Lumicene revealed its prefab tiny cabin in the woods.
  • Lumipod is a minimal luxury structure available in three sizes, with a glass window exterior.
  • The first Lumipod was installed in the French Alps, with plans to ship to the US and Australia in the works.
  • Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Lumicene, a French company known for its reversible, circular window design, has revealed its new Lumipod in the French Alps.

The Lumipod is a minimalist cabin-like structure designed as a “cocoon of simplicity” for people to escape the city for a weekend. The first one was installed in the French Alps for a client, giving 180 degree forest views while blending into the scenery. The tiny hotel has a minimal environmental impact, sitting on screw piles and able to be removed “without a trace.”

Lumicene’s designs extend beyong the Lumipod, too. They also have the Lumibar glass pavilion, and the Lumishell prefab home. Both feature the same rounded windows that make the Lumipod so memorable.

Here’s what the Lumipod looks like inside.


The Lumipod's signature feature is the curved glass Lumicene window.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

The window is set on rails, allowing indoor space to become outdoor space.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

The glass windows extend 180 degrees around the round structure.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Lumicene

The windows span about 16 feet.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Lumicene

The bedroom is inspired by an upscale hotel.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

Walls and cabinets are made of natural oak.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

The bathroom includes a toilet, shower, sink, and mirror.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

The tiled bathroom makes efficient use of space.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

Blackout curtains can cover the windows....

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

...or open up to a panoramic view.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

The Lumipod comes in three sizes. This is the smallest one, at 193-square-feet, while the largest comes to nearly 400-square-feet.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Lumicene

The exterior is a burned wood, though it can be customized to fit other styles.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

It is designed to blend into the landscape, even appearing as part of the scenery at first glance...

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

...while also not leaving a longterm mark on the landscape.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

The Lumipod is designed to be put together in two days, made of two prefabricated pieces.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

Lumipods are manufactured in Lyon, France, shipping around Europe within four months.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire

The company has plans to arrange shipping to the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in the future.

Foto: Lumipod. Source: Kevin Dolmaire