This new-build house in a forested site in north London creates an environment in which the inhabitants are encouraged to connect to the natural environment. The interiors are designed to foster both connection and privacy for the large family and their visitors. They are located to create a series of internal spaces which have different qualities of light and scale. The house offers a variety of experiences, depending on the time of day and time of year.

The materials have been selected for longevity and to minimise the carbon footprint of the building. The fabric has been designed to offer an excellent thermal performance, with wood fibre insulation and timber frame construction.

The south-facing facade has large areas of glazing which are also screened from summer rays by overhead pergolas and timber shutters. The north-facing rooms are quieter and more internal, as they look onto a verdant landscaped path.

The two winter gardens incorporate green houses into the fabric of the building, one south and one north. They offer delicately framed indoor spaces in which the garden can be experienced even on the coldest days.

The linked outdoor spaces step down to the garden and spill over to an outdoor terrace set flush with the lawn.

The house has been designed to offer a rich experience of family life, as it changes over time. It accommodates all the needs of each member of the family, as well as the family unit and guests. It embraces connection to the land and the trees as part of the experience of everyday life.