25/07/2025
In Beaumont, Belgium, the newest outpost of invites you to truly disconnect. ICI was founded in 2018 with the aim of creating innovative, sustainable get-away retreats rooted in social and ecological awareness. After their treehouses and converted stables, ICI On the Water is their third project, and the first that appear to float.
Designed by architect Toon Haverhals, the floating cabins are built like compact black volumes that seem to hover above the surface of the Meuse valley, as if dropped from the sky. The mirrored glass façades create a trompe-l’oeil effect, blending the cabins into their surroundings. ‘On one side, a generous recess cuts through the façade’, says Haverals. This sheltered terrace is fully finished in dark wood. The oak parquet flooring flows seamlessly across the floor, walls, and ceiling, ‘wrapping it in a cocoon-like embrace.’
Inside, a calming atmosphere prevails: matte black MDF panels, soft fabrics, a muted palette and subtle details create a sense of stillness. ‘The interior is complemented by the occasional accent colour to maintain a soft, cosy and tranquil atmosphere’, Haverals explains. Also the 3.60m bed, custom-built and raised like a platform, adds to the sense of stillness. Framed by the architecture, it offers a front-row seat to the landscape outside.
More to come: in a later phase, ICI will introduce stilt cabins and floating cabins on a new man-made lake.
