Forest House began life as an early 20th-century logging cabin, incrementally extended over time into a family dwelling. These piecemeal additions had reached the end of their useful life, contributing to issues of damp, poor thermal performance, and a fragmented relationship between the interior spaces and the surrounding garden. The brief called for a comprehensive remodelling, one that would retain and celebrate the character of the original cottage while establishing a coherent, future-proofed home with step-free accessibility at ground level.

The design resolves these challenges through a carefully considered reorganisation of the plan. A new open-plan kitchen and dining space forms the heart of the home, complemented by a more intimate snug area, both of which open directly onto a reimagined wildlife garden. This seamless connection between inside and out transforms the daily experience of the house, grounding family life in the rhythms of the landscape. Circulation has been rationalised to create clarity and ease of movement, accommodating the evolving needs of a growing family while anticipating future requirements for care and accessibility.

Environmental performance is integral to the proposal. The orientation of the site is harnessed to optimise passive heating and cooling, while generous openings introduce balanced natural light throughout the interior, supporting both energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing. The result is a home that is not only significantly more sustainable, but also healthier and more uplifting to inhabit.

The garden is conceived as an extension of the architecture, both socially and therapeutically. Rooted in principles of biophilia, it offers a sequence of accessible terraces and gently graded pathways, ensuring all areas can be navigated with ease, including by wheelchair. Seating is strategically placed to create moments of pause and reflection, encouraging engagement with the surrounding ecology. Existing biodiversity is enriched through wildflower meadows and native planting, further enhanced by additional beds along terraces and pathways designed to attract wildlife and animate the landscape throughout the seasons.

This project was delivered during my time at Turner and Hoskins architectural practice, where I played a key role in its development. The work shown reflects my direct involvement and contribution, while also acknowledging the collaborative nature of the wider project team. It is shared here for portfolio purposes only and does not imply sole authorship or ownership of the overall project.