New Forest House was built as a replacement for an existing structure in the National Park and as a result PAD Studio were limited to a 120m² area due to strict planning regulations. This lead to the innovative approach of laying out much of the floor plan over a basement level — but a below ground space resplendently lit by the remarkable use of roof lights.
What might appear to be a natural lake at the front of the house is in actual fact a swimming pool. If you look carefully, you’ll see that the water in the ‘lake’ suddenly deepens along a straight line, which gives the pool a subtle status with natural shallow borders.
New Forest House’s exterior is comprised exclusively of cedar cladding, a variety of timber that doesn’t require treating due to the natural oils present in the grain, and will fade or ‘silver’ over time to a pleasant marled grey colour. Both the main building and guest annexe have living green roofs composed of sedum.
The architects took environmentally conscious steps when designing this dwelling — although eco-friendly measures are admittedly something of a necessity when it comes to getting planning permission for the New Forest National Park.
The buildings are orientated to maximise solar gain and utilise ground source heat pump technology and a log boiler for heating and hot water requirements. Excavated material from the new basement and pool area has been re-used in the earth-berming to provide a visual screen to the north and help to reduce the sound impact of the nearby dual carriageway.The proposals also incorporate rain water harvesting, grey water recycling and a natural swimming pond to further increase biodiversity within the site. The materials used throughout are sustainable, durable and in harmony with the site and its surroundings.PAD Studio
New Forest House received the ‘Best Residential Project in the UK’ award from the Daily Telegraph in 2010, and was also runner-up in the Grand Designs Awards 2010. PAD Studio have really made a name for themselves with their uniquely modern cedar clad dwellings. They have designed several of these across the New Forest area in the south of England, the most notable of which being the Exbury Egg, a mobile floating live/work pod for artist Stephen Turner.
Read more about New Forest House in this brilliant article on e-architect.
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| Architect | PAD Studio |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Nigel Rigden |
