Woodland Charm

Whether you’re a professional architect or budding self-builder, pitching the perfect balance between style and substance is key when designing a sustainable home. Prefabricated eco homes are a great way to blend low energy living with a natural new build that can be designed to complement its surroundings perfectly. 

For German company Baufritz, who specialises in building eco-friendly timber frame houses, it’s all about making a statement while working in harmony with nature. Its House Long project, which is set in the clearing of a grade II Listed Hampshire arboretum, has created a contemporary woodland home that sits elegantly within its leafy environment. “When you are surrounded by nature, you don’t go against that, you go with it,” say its proud owners. 

The contemporary-style architecture is made up from three distinct levels that appear to be stacked simply on top of one another. Making the most of the breath-taking views, the living spaces are on the first floor with bedrooms and guest rooms at ground level.  

The challenge for sustainable homebuilders Baufritz was to adapt the bold design by architects McLean Quinlan to its own modular system. The self-build timber frame was manufactured off-site, with all walls and windows fitted including extensive glazing and roof lights above the finely crafted oak staircase to let natural light flood through into the hallway and living space. 

For the interior, a neutral palette creates a sense of calm with elegant and timeless grey floor tiles in the hallway and open-plan kitchen-living area leading through on to the terrace, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces with a continuous flow. “If I showed you the original plans from the architect and compared that to the finished product, you could not tell the difference,” add its owners.  

Just like all Baufritz houses, its HOIZ® insulation minimises the energy footprint, while the choice of natural materials inside and out both contrast and interact with the lush green canopy of the arboretum. 

You can view a video of the project and hear more from the owners here. 

Baufritz offers five eco house styles – Modern House, Townhouse, Bauhaus, Chalet and Country House as well as Signature Homes turnkey houses in two designs – The Barn Collection for country living and The Classic Collection for an urban retreat, taking care of every last detail from the planning application to the interior design. 

For further information or to discuss your own project, please call Baufritz on 01223 235632, email [email protected] or visit the website at baufritz.com/uk