Earthboat Nomad

Earthboat Nomad, as its name suggests, is a model designed with the premise of being placed more freely and in a greater variety of locations. Developed under the theme of “smaller and lighter,” it can fit into remote sites or compact plots where previous models were difficult to install due to size and weight. Following Cave’s descent from the mountains to the village, Nomad moves even closer to places of everyday living—or into the gaps between them—with a light presence.

The overall structure consists of three small connected boxes forming a single building. Each box minimally contains a bedroom, a semi-outdoor kitchen lounge, and a sauna with bathroom, with functions segmented yet cohesively arranged. Though compact in scale, decks, tarps, and large openings extend the space outward, aiming to create the richest possible variety of experiences within a minimal composition.

This configuration of three boxes also enables new spatial developments. The bedroom unit can be naturally added as a separate structure, allowing for multiple groups or family stays—uses that were previously difficult to accommodate. It envisions a flexible system in which small units connect and expand or contract according to the environment.

The construction method has also been significantly updated. Transitioning from a CLT structure to a column-and-beam frame using J-panels has reduced weight and improved productivity. Each element is factory-produced as panels for precision and then assembled modularly on-site. While surrounded by thin CLT panels, the interior still achieves the warmth of being enveloped in thick wood, consistent with the series.

The spatial concept also reinterprets Earthboat’s signature outdoor living philosophy. The central lounge is intentionally semi-outdoor, minimizing enclosed interior space so that nature flows directly inside. The boundary between interior and exterior becomes ambiguous, and rather than confining space within a small shell, it opens outward—creating an expansive experience as if placing oneself within the landscape.

With greater flexibility in installation, it can be lightly transported and gently placed wherever needed. Earthboat Nomad inherits the philosophy of previous models while presenting a small, lightweight presence without a sense of oppression. It sits softly within the landscape, carrying a subtle charm—personally reminiscent of a small circus tent appearing in nature.

*J-panel: A structural wooden panel made of laminated solid domestic timber. By supporting loads as a surface, it forms a highly rigid box-shaped wooden structure.