This thesis has been conducted as part of a joint initiative between Malmö University and

Mitt University, aiming to develop a foldable, transportable, and sustainable mountain cabin

suitable for use in remote and inaccessible terrain. The project is motivated by the growing

interest in hiking tourism in Sweden’s mountainous regions, where increased development

risks negatively impacting natural environments. As an alternative to permanent cabins, this

study explores the possibility of creating a cabin that can be easily assembled, disassembled,

and transported without leaving permanent traces on the landscape.

The work addresses three key research questions: how to optimize the cabin for transport in

rough terrain, how to select materials and design the structure to achieve low weight without

compromising stability and how to develop a ground anchoring system that is durable,

reusable, and minimizes environmental impact. The methodology includes literature reviews,

technical calculations using FEM-Design, and the construction of a physical prototype for

practical testing of components and joints.

The cabin is designed for transport via quad bike and trailer. Each building component

weighs no more than 100 kg to comply with Swedish Work Environment Authority

guidelines for manual handling, allowing four people to manage assembly. Material choices

were guided by environmental and structural considerations, with a timber frame, hemp

insulation, and plywood sheathing used to reduce overall weight. The construction is

designed to be vapor-permeable to support moisture regulation and facilitate assembly.

Ground anchoring is achieved using screw piles that require minimal soil disturbance.

Calculations reveal significant wind loads, addressed through dual screw anchors at the

corners and clamp-based fastening for ease of assembly without precision requirements.

The results demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a foldable, practical, and

environmentally friendly cabin for fragile alpine terrain.