An oak-clad
woodland home

This woodland retreat sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Kent countryside. Approached via a sweeping drive, the building gradually reveals itself within the landscape.

Inside, the house uses a simple palette of natural timber, stone, plaster and glass, the tones of the oak contributing to the feeling of warmth throughout.

A local ragstone wall divides the two volumes to form the entrance. To one side the bedroom wing sits tall, and to the other, the single storey living pavilion appears to float out over the landscape.

The house uses natural, local materials, chosen to develop a patina over the years. A mix of stone and timber, two pavilions sit lightly in the landscape. Shallow zinc roofs with large overhangs quietly echo the building forms of Asia, where our clients lived for many years.

Overall, the building is extraordinarily well constructed, in simple, traditional materials brought together as a refined, elegant architectural language. A perfect fit for both the client and the site

— RIBA Regional Awards

We are now living in a beautifully designed building whose light, space, materials and details bring constant joy. Not only this but it is an extremely functional house and sacrifices nothing for practical living

— Client
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Architects
McLean Quinlan
Interior Design
McLean Quinlan
Structural Engineer
Frank Van Loock Associates
QS
Baillie Knowles Partnership
M&E
En Masse Design
Contractor
R Durtnell & Sons
Landscape Design
Tom Stuart Smith (Concept), FFLO
Photography/Film
Jim Stephenson
Accolades
RIBA S.East Awards 2019 Project Architect of the Year
RIBA S.East Awards 2019 Winner Kent
BD Architect of the Year Awards 2019 Finalist