Project: New Forest House
Architects: PAD Studio
Location: New Forest District, Hampshire, England
Area: 1,291 sf
Photographs by: Courtesy of PAD Studio
New Forest House by PAD Studio
PAD Studio have designed a beautiful modern home in the New Forest National Park in Hampshire, England. That’s where it gets its title from – New Forest House but more importantly, it replaces an old cottage, providing its inhabitants with a very comfortable living space blessed with natural sights all around. Of course, one of the main goals was to minimize the construction footprint on the surrounding forest, and that was obviously done very well.
The replacement dwelling is set within an 18.5 acre plot, located adjacent to ancient woodland and heath, within the New Forest National Park. The massing, form and orientation of the new building has been carefully conceived in order to minimise the impact on the site and its surroundings. The main dwelling and guest building both have green roofs.
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.
This project was awarded ‘Best Residential Project in the UK’ in the 2010 Daily Telegraph, Home Building & Renovating Awards, and was runner-up in the Grand Designs Awards 2010, and shortlisted for the RIBA Awards in 2011.
