Praktyka Heartwood

Its function is to provide a compact self-contained cooking suite with sheltered dining and showering to facilitate the adjacent geodesic dome sleeping quarters.

With references stemming to the abstract works of Mondrian and John Hejduk’s Diamond House to Dom Hans van der Laan's research on the ‘plastic number’; the tree inspired intervention can be anatomised into the hierarchical order of core, structure and canopy. The sanctuary of a tree, its symbolism of spirit, hearth, home – built on solid foundations, anchored to a place was the starting point.

Using an orthogonal system, the tree and its canopy are rationalised to geometrical proportions. Density increases toward the periphery as individual members yield a hierarchy of material thickness and support. Areas of activity are focused inwards around the ‘trunk’ while no defined perimeter to the outer edge is given allowing light and shade to transcend the whole space.

Located within a sheltered private glade of this rural farmstead, the red pavilion is positioned to frame views of two connected landscapes: one, the new herbaceous garden within the glade; two, the far-reaching rural views of Exmoor that surround the site. The pavilion supports an outdoor camping experience for guests over an extended tourism period, with cooking, dining and washing facilities.

This was a true collaboration between consumer, designer and maker. Together with an expert carpenter and experienced team of subcontractors, we've delivered a one-off pavilion as the first of a series of bespoke tourism interventions on site to help nurture their brainchild, Praktyka, a project that embodies both the clients' spirit for practicality and beauty; a utilitarian sculpture in the landscape.

Annual CO2 data was not provided