Leamington Bothy

Relatively overlooked by neighbouring properties, the goal was to guide the viewer towards mature trees to the west of the site while maintaining privacy. Increasing height to the west enabled a fuller view of those tree canopies through a largely glazed west gable. While there were several existing forms on or adjacent to the site to reference for the roof pitch (the old police box and the roof pitch of the existing building) we like to consider the form as a geometrical abstraction of an apical tree bud, with framed views opening and growing as you move west through this small building. The timber has been scorched to varying intensity, and the gradient timber references the natural changes in light that occur throughout the day, accentuated by the canopy that denotes the entrance. Once weathered, the lighter timber on the east ( street side) will blend well with the blonde sand and whinstone of the boundary wall. The cladding gets progressively darker to the west to provide a strong contrast for the coordinated planting. Garden design by Jenny Elliott Design took inspiration from the building form. Echoing the light to dark graduated cladding, all leftover Scottish Larch off cuts were creatively and sustainably repurposed into bespoke garden bench seating within corten steel raised planters that envelop those sitting with pollinator-friendly planting. A gradient of predominantly dark to increasingly light Dutch clay pavers at building entrances form a subtle visual way finding device. Taking inspiration from the angled rooflines, the gardens geometric forms continue the building's visual language, from the spires of the Salvia caradonna plants to smaller cozy spaces.