Watson House, New Forest, UK
The client’s brief for this beautiful rural site in the New Forest was to replace the existing suburban-style house with a contemporary design that allowed them to live in close contact with nature. Our response to local restrictive planning policy favouring traditional design, coupled with the client’s wishes resulted in a single-storey concept that would make the house invisible from the public eye. This produced a long, low pavilion that floats across the landscape. The building is orientated on the North/South axis, with the bedrooms opening up to the East and the morning light, whilst a large open-plan living area faces West, and to the evening light filtering through a private pine copse.
Natural materials were favoured in the construction, consisting of cross-laminated panels and locally sourced sweet chestnut boarding. The pre-fabricated panels allowed the superstructure to be erected in less than two weeks.
Overall, the house not only inherently compliments its surroundings; it provides a unique living space that above all, allows its occupants to feel part of the natural beauty that encircles the house.