Considerations

Sun, shade, and seasonal comfort.

As the sun moves through the seasons, so does the feel of your space. Morning light from the east can energise a workspace, while afternoon warmth from the north-west adds comfort on cooler days. A nearby tree might cast welcome summer shade but let through winter sun once bare. Think about where the sun rises, where it sets, and how that changes across the year — not just where it is now. Your cabin’s placement can make it feel bright, calm, or somewhere in between.

Window placement shapes space.

Each Studio includes a window — you choose which wall when ordering. The exact spot? You decide later, standing inside with the frame up. Whether high over a fence for light and privacy, or low beside a desk to glimpse garden life, your window frames a feeling. Facing home offers connection; across a path, anticipation; across trees, calm. Two windows? Great for cross-breezes. It’s a personal choice that shapes the whole space.

Inward glance. Outward calm.
Your cabin’s placement shapes how it connects — to your home, your garden, and your daily flow. Some prefer facing the house to feel included; others turn away to carve out quiet. Set in a corner, it might offer privacy and presence. Looking out to trees calms the mind; looking back to the house keeps you linked. Think about what you’ll see when the door opens, and what others might see when it’s left wide.

Plan for flow and level footing.

Most cabins require excavation to meet height limits. Our compact excavator carves the space with care, aiming for a gentle 1° slope across the footprint. This ensures compliance and comfort — without raising the cabin too high. We avoid cut-and-fill; instead, soil is relocated thoughtfully. Retaining walls may be suggested, but we always leave access around the cabin. What feels flat often isn’t — we’ll measure, explain, and guide you through it all calmly.

Cool or bright? Pick what fits.

Every property has a hidden favourite spot — a place that feels just right at a certain time of day. Often, that’s where an Urban Cave ends up. Morning sun for breakfast, dappled light for work, or evening warmth for a glass of wine. These small joys shape how you’ll use the space. Spend time in your garden with a cup of tea at different times — morning, noon, and dusk — and notice what feels good. Where would you linger if nothing rushed you? That’s often the best place to build.

How you arrive matters too.

Getting to your cabin should feel like part of the experience — not just a walk across the lawn. A curved path, stepping stones, or crushed granite can ease the shift between home and hideaway. Even a short walk can reset your mind. Consider what you’ll pass — trees, garden beds, a sunny nook. Is it a clear route or one that invites wandering? Lighting helps at night, planting softens edges. However subtle, the approach shapes the moment you step inside.

Plan for change — your cabin adapts.

Your cabin may start with one purpose — an office, a studio, a space to think. But life changes. It might later become a guest room, a teenager’s retreat, or a quiet spot to rest and read. Thinking ahead means choosing a spot that stays useful, and a layout that can flex. Power points in more than one corner, space for a couch or a desk — small decisions now make a big difference later. Build for the you of today, but leave room for tomorrow too.

Smart ways through tight spots.

Narrow gates, steps, or winding paths don’t stop us — they shape how we deliver. Every part of the cabin is carried by hand, so we can weave through tight spaces and protect the garden as we go. If needed, we’ll disassemble fences or lift over obstacles with care. Our compact excavator fits where others can’t, and we plan carefully to tread lightly. Access challenges are common — solving them is part of what we do.

It starts with thoughtful placement.

Where you place your cabin matters. So does how it faces, what it connects to, and how it feels to arrive. We’ve seen how the right location transforms a simple structure into a daily ritual — a place to sit, breathe, create. That’s why we spend time understanding your block, sun, slope, and lifestyle. Great cabins don’t begin with timber or steel. They begin with thoughtfulness. The rest follows naturally.