A timber and clay plaster retreat by Hampshire-based architects PAD is a perfect rural family home
A London-based family put their countryside escape plan into action and bought an old cottage in a rural hamlet in southern England’s New Forest National Park. It soon became clear that the cottage was more ramshackle than romantic, so the decision was made for a new, sustainable retreat to be built – one that would last generations to come, and reflect their Japanese heritage and relaxed family lifestyle.
Hampshire-based architects PAD Studio came up with a design that was both sensitive to the natural setting and historic local vernacular, yet daylight-filled and contemporary too. Drawing from neighbouring A-frame chalets, the house has two connected pitched-roof volumes and is clad in slim timber battens and white render. One volume houses the sleeping quarters, while the other houses the generous double-height, open-plan living space.
Inside, there’s a light and airy atmosphere encouraged by the L-shaped floor plan. The interior spaces are always connected to nature – whether you’re walking through the glazed hallway, or sitting down for dinner in the ‘conservatory’ space with corner and overhead glazing. ‘The plan opens up a constant theatre of movement, which helps the house come alive. The architecture performs without ego as a backdrop for the people who live there,’ says Ricky Evans, associate architect at PAD Studio.
The crafted nature of the house gives it a humble character. There’s a hand-woven sisal rope balustrade – which took a week to weave, and almost half a kilometre of rope; floor-to-ceiling oak storage; and a specially cast concrete hearth. On the walls, there is a natural clay plaster manufactured by Cornwall-based Clayworks: ‘It creates a beautiful texture depending on how the light catches it – edges are softened and shadows are deepened,’ says Evans.
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