The Roost

Set deep within a mature North Norfolk woodland, our brief was to design a bespoke treehouse that would offer sustainable, luxury holiday accommodation where guests could disconnect and immerse themselves in nature. Central to this was to ensure that the structure touch the ground as lightly as possible, minimising impact on the woodland floor and protecting the surrounding flora and fauna.

The Roost forms part of a wider woodland regeneration initiative aimed at enhancing biodiversity through selective harvesting and replanting with native species. To support this, timber felled on site will be used for the structure; cladding and interior fit out, significantly reducing embodied carbon and reinforcing a circular approach to materials.

Our design responds to the brief by capturing the playful, adventurous spirit of a childhood treehouse while exemplifying a low-energy, natural approach to building, that brings people closer to nature. A site at the heart of the forest was chosen with a rich diversity of tree species, giving the location an innate natural beauty and feeling of escapism.

Envisioned as an organic sculptural form suspended lightly among the trees, the Roost sits quietly within its surroundings. Its form draws inspiration from lightweight natural structures such as weaver-bird nests, pinecones, and chrysalises. Clad in overlapping timber shingles of varying widths, the exterior creates a textured, natural surface that will weather gently and harmonise with the setting over time.

Arrival to the Roost is via a boardwalk that gradually rises to a dramatic high-level walkway four metres above the forest floor. Both the walkway and treehouse are supported on slim angled legs, reminiscent of young sapling trunks, anchored using screw-piles to avoid deep foundations.

A circular plan and multiple small windows offer views in every direction, creating the sense of being immersed in the woodland canopy. Inside, the tall central space reveals an exposed timber structure braced by a twisted lattice, providing an efficient lightweight frame, that also evokes the protective geometry of a nest.

The compact interior is carefully crafted to meet the brief for a simple yet high-quality guest experience. Bespoke joinery shapes a small living area, kitchen and bathroom at entrance level, with a mezzanine sleeping platform above. Varied floor levels create intimate spaces for cooking, dining and relaxation, while high level rooflights flood the space with daylight and offer views of the night sky from the bed.

Externally, a lower deck provides a sheltered outdoor space where guests can sit among the trees and enjoy the woodland in warmer weather