Perched on the outer edges of the New Forest National Park, where dense heather sprawls across the ground, bracken evokes a prehistoric atmosphere, and gorse tears at the skin, we have positioned a new-build house at the crest of a rise. From this vantage point, far-reaching views extend across the heathland, channelled into a narrow corridor by heavily tree-lined boundaries.

This rich tapestry of texture and colour is reinterpreted in the architecture, where rough meets smooth, light contrasts with dark, and randomness is set against formality. These juxtapositions create a dynamic tension within the built form, allowing the house to engage with its surroundings while subtly dissolving into the landscape.

The building’s intent is twofold: to frame the expansive views and to integrate seamlessly within its environment. Native vegetation and wildlife remain undisturbed, free to inhabit the site as they always have. The landscape is preserved in its natural state, with the house occupying only the elevated area where the original footprint once stood, ensuring a light touch on the land.