I've been thinking about chicken coops a lot lately and if I have anyone to blame for my current obsession, I can definitely chalk it up to Karen, over at the Art of Doing Stuff. And just as I'm about ready to file it away in the back of my mind, along comes another fabulous coop.

This time around the coop is made from locally harvested wood, translucent fiberglass panels and maple sticks that help to filter out light. It also has a raised floor for improved air circulation, as well as a human-sized door on one end and a mini chicken-sized door on the other. And lets not forget the comical egg-shaped nesting box!

The freestanding hen house was built by five students and two architects as a part of a workshop to demonstrate that utilitarian design can be quick, economical and beautiful. The "chicken chapel" was the result of the first session of Studio North, a week-long course that hopes to engage students with the rural landscape through small-scale inventive design. Even if you have no intention of owning chickens or a coop, the design of modern-style coops can surely inspire ideas for small-space structures; from artists studios to sheds, or perhaps even a dog house, greenhouse, or child's playhouse.

For the the entire article and more pictures, be sure to head over to Treehugger.

Images: Studio North/ Moskow Linn Architects via Treehugger