Studio Hardie were commissioned to build a small woodland cabin in Sussex using recycled and local materials. Like many of our projects, we were interested in blurring the boundaries between the inside and outside. This was achieved by hinging three walls of the cabin, so it opened to the woodland.  We drew inspiration for the opening mechanisms from medieval draw bridges, turning trunks so they acted as the spools for the winches.

The simple, mono pitched roof made from corrugated iron, emulated the jettied deck creating a veranda around the cabin.

We felled and converted timbers for the main frame and used windows and steel from a scrap yard. Details were hand forged from iron found in the woods.

Inside, we wanted to be able to create two distinct spaces in a single space. To achieve this the furniture was designed to fold into the floor, the kitchen was on scissor lifts, the floor rotated so a sofa becomes a bed, and a bunkbed and tables fold out of the floor.

Lastly, we converted an old farm water bowser into a luxury hot tub.