The Forest House

Set within 17 acres of woodland near Newbury, The Forest House is a 1970s lodge-style home surrounded by dense forest and mature trees. While the setting is exceptional, the house had become dark and inward-looking over time, with the kitchen and living spaces making limited use of the landscape beyond.

The project reimagines the house for contemporary family life, focusing on improving natural light, spatial flow and the connection between the home and its woodland surroundings.

A series of carefully considered interventions extend and reorganise the ground floor, creating a brighter kitchen and family space at the heart of the home. Larger openings and new glazing frame views into the forest while drawing daylight deep into the interior.

Externally, the garden is reshaped to create a series of connected outdoor spaces including a terrace and swimming pool, positioned to enjoy views across the surrounding woodland. These new external areas extend the living spaces into the landscape, encouraging a stronger relationship between the house and its setting.

The architecture is subtly refreshed with a restrained material palette that complements the woodland context. Timber elements and softer tones sit comfortably within the landscape, allowing the house to feel more integrated with its surroundings.

The result is a lighter, more open home that embraces its unique forest environment while supporting the rhythms of modern family life.