Woodland House at Loch Awe

Woodland House at Loch Awe

The Woodland House is designed for a secluded site on the western bank of Loch Awe. Developed as a base for ecological stewardship and rewilding of its surrounding woodlands, the project carefully creates a small off-grid homestead.

Located on a former Forestry & Land Scotland plantation, for several years the clients - experienced in forestry - have worked the land - camping, planting, and caring for the woodland. The house represents the next chapter in that process: a small, self-sufficient home that supports the regeneration of the landscape around it with native species.

The design responds directly to the site’s topography, and orientation. A rocky knoll at the centre of the wood conceals the building on approach. Perched on stilts against the sloping ground, the house reveals itself gradually - offering a sense of arrival and retreat. From the elevated position within, panoramic views open southwards to the loch and the forest canopy. The form of the house folds in response to the site’s natural features - oak trees, stone outcrops and shifting ground levels - creating a sense of enclosure without imposition.

With a modest footprint of 115m², the house includes three bedrooms and two living spaces, each directly addressing the surrounding landscape. A separate shed accommodates tools, vehicles, power, and water. Materials have been chosen for durability, low environmental impact, and visual harmony with the site: a green corrugated roof echos the tree canopy, while the dark-stained timber cladding allows the building to recede into the inky shadows of the forest undergrowth.

Sustainability is integral to the project. The house will operate entirely off-grid, powered by solar panels, wood-burning stove and an air-source heat pump, with water drawn from an on-site well. Raised timber construction minimises ground disturbance and eliminates the need for concrete foundations. Every component is selected with longevity, reusability, and environmental sensitivity in mind.

The Woodland House is a project rooted in its landscape and its function. It is both a home and a tool for care - a place from which to watch and nurture the forest. By designing with the grain of the land, the house demonstrates how contemporary rural living in Scotland can be sustainable, modest, and deeply rooted in nature.