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Loveshack - Cumbria

The significance of the project lies in in two areas. Firstly in its development of the ‘micro-dwelling’ typology as an exemplar which contains architectural qualities usually associated with larger dwellings and avoiding the (often typical for this typology) sense of claustrophobia. Secondly, it uses this typology to illustrate an attitude to building in rural sites of outstanding beauty in a manner which is applicable to mainstream volume housing developments.

How can a contemporary dwelling set within a National Park of great natural beauty transcend a series of demanding constraints to create a dwelling of delight which exploits the natural features of its setting? Those constraints included a demanding environmental criteria, restrictive planning guidelines, challenging topographical site conditions, proximity to mature trees, restrictive access for construction and an aspiration to connect a client to the memories and qualities of their childhood experiences of tree houses and ‘cosiness’. How can architecture be created from the tensions between the measurable, empirical nature of a brief and the less tangible cognitive issues such as memory and nostalgia?

The project is a result of an exemplary approach which embraces a series of demanding constraints and utilizes them in a design process to create an uncompromised architecture of authentic quality which exploits the general characteristics of its beautiful setting whilst connecting to particular personal memories of the client. It is innovative in both the process of design, its application of SIP technology (unusual for buildings this size) and its exemplary status as a model for everyday rural development. It has been acknowledged by the profession with an RIBA national award as well as shortlisted for the RIBA Manser Medal for the best house in the UK. Its impact outside academia and the profession can be seen in the extent of major national press coverage received.