Designed by Pyxis Nautica and built by Hello Wood, Monolith Lodge in Dobogoko, Hungary, is a modern forest home shaped by timing as much as design. What began as a concept plan years earlier eventually found the right moment, site, and collaborators to move forward. The finished house brings together exposed CLT, concrete, and glass in a clear, restrained composition that feels grounded in its setting and precise in its execution.
The architecture of Monolith Lodge traces a long and patient path. The project began with a concept plan by Pyxis Nautica that remained unrealized for years before an unexpected message revived it. The characteristics of the Dobogoko site proved essential, aligning naturally with the designers’ approach and the owner’s vision.
Hello Wood joined the project at this stage, continuing the work as a design-driven contractor. Beyond construction, the team collaborated closely with Pyxis Nautica to finalize the concept, ensuring that each structural and material decision reflected both the spirit of the location and Hello Wood’s architectural character. This process led to solutions that strengthened the design while remaining cost-effective.
The house sits on a reinforced concrete foundation, with walls and roof constructed from five-layer, exposed-quality CLT panels. This method allowed the structure to be assembled in just three days, with the full build completed within six months. A standing seam metal roof completes the envelope.
At the center of the house stands the monolithic concrete chimney that gives Monolith Lodge its name. Cast using rough-sawn board formwork, its texture becomes a unifying surface language throughout the building. Combined with charred wood cladding and large glass openings, the exterior balances weight and openness, allowing the house to sit confidently within the surrounding forest.
The transition from outdoors to indoors is direct and deliberate. Natural materials lead the way, with exposed CLT surfaces immediately setting the tone, while the forest green complements the forest that surrounds the property.
The living room opens toward the surrounding forest through large glass windows. Clean lines and exposed timber define the space, allowing light and landscape to take center stage, while designer furniture and premium materials add comfort without overwhelming the architecture. A full wall of shelving with a rolling ladders surrounds the TV and creates visual for the room.
Positioned to maintain visual continuity with the living space, the dining area benefits from the same openness and natural light, and also separates the seating area from the kitchen.
The kitchen, which lines the wall, continues the home’s restrained material palette. Exposed CLT surfaces remain visible, reinforcing the house’s construction logic.
A covered terrace wraps around the house, and includes an outdoor electric hot tub, lounge area, dining area, and the fireplace. There’s also an open terrace that connects to this space, and together they all extend daily living into the forest.
Back inside, and there’s three bedrooms, one primary bedroom and two smaller rooms. Each space follows the same design language, natural materials, soft light, and a quiet atmosphere. The bedrooms feel contemporary yet welcoming, shaped by the warmth of exposed timber.
The bathrooms continue the focus on premium materials and clean detailing, with one of the bathrooms including a Finnish sauna adds a dedicated wellness space within the house.
Watch a short video to see more views of the cabin.
Monolith Lodge brings a once-shelved design into built form. Pyxis Nautica’s original concept, realized by Hello Wood, became a home defined by timing, collaboration, and material clarity. Built in just three days and completed in six months, it stands as a modern forest house shaped by patience and precision.
Photography and video by Gyorgy Palko and Marton Bognar | Design: Pyxis Nautica Architecture Office + Hello Wood Zrt. | Lead Designers: Laszlo Monori, Janos Varga (Pyxis Nautica), Peter Oravecz, Andras Huszar (Hello Wood) | General Contractor: Hello Wood Zrt. | Hello Wood Board: Andras Huszar, David Raday, Krisztian Toth | Architectural Associates: Eszter Olah, Gabor Fulop | Construction Project Manager: Csanad Karsko | Construction Technical Preparator: David Szabo, Szabolcs Acs | Site Manager: Zoltan Szabo | Interior Architect/Designer: Aniko Varga, Peter Oravecz
Source: Contemporist
