TREE HOUSE

Tree House sits near Stithians in Cornwall, surrounded by open countryside and woodland beside The Old Vicarage. The project began with outline planning approval to replace an old agricultural building, but the ambition for the home went far beyond a standard replacement dwelling. The clients wanted a modern, light filled home that felt honest in its construction and deeply connected to the surrounding landscape.

Inspired by sustainable architecture and low impact building methods, the project explored a range of natural materials including strawbale, sheep wool, hemp and flax insulation. The final design became the first full home constructed using Ecofab’s prefabricated strawbale modular system, creating an innovative, energy efficient home with a strong focus on environmental performance and healthy living.

As experienced Architects Cornwall, we design sustainable contemporary homes across Cornwall that combine innovative construction methods, natural materials and carefully considered architectural design.

From the start, this project was about doing something that had never been done before. The prefabricated  strawbale panels were a new system, still being tested, which meant every stage brought new questions and careful thinking.  We worked closely with Ecofab to refine details, check performance, and plan how each panel would come n site. We wanted to prove that natural materials could deliver real precision and long-term durability.

The site itself added to the challenge. It sat beside mature trees, with access limited by narrow lanes and open ground. Everything had to be planned carefully, from deliveries to construction methods.  It became a test of coordination and belief. In the technology, in the team, and in the shared goal behind it.

For Stephen and Lesley, the desire was to build a home that felt right for where it stood. Something straightforward, full of light, and honest in how it was made.  The modular strawbale panels shaped much of the design. Together we worked out how each one would fit, draw in sunlight, and open views across the landscape. The pattern of the structure gave rhythm and balance to the rooms inside.  Large windows look out to the trees and fields beyond, while timber cladding and deep reveals protect the walls from weather.

Inside, the layout is relaxed, open, and connected to the outdoors. Just how they imagined it.  Working with Ecofab, every detail was carefully planned. Prefabrication brought accuracy, cut down waste, and kept the site undisturbed.

For Stephen and Lesley, it’s a home built with care and imagination. A place that shows what’s possible when people, design, and the land all work together.

The completed house feels peaceful and full of life. Sunlight filters through the trees and into the living spaces, changing through the day and connecting every room to the landscape outside.  Inside, the materials create a soft atmosphere. The walls breathe, the air feels fresh, and the temperature stays steady throughout the year. It feels easy to live in and it is closely tied to its setting.

For the clients, it was a chance to prove that sustainable design can be modern, comfortable, and affordable.  Tree House stands as proof that new ideas can grow into homes that belong to their place and endure with time.

Tree House was built using a prefabricated strawbale modular system, the first of its kind.  This approach combines craftsmanship and innovation, creating one of the most sustainable building methods in use today.  Every part of the house reflects precision, care and pride in what natural materials can achieve.

The three double bedrooms sit on the ground floor, staying cool while warm air rises to the open plan living space above.  From the upper level, the home opens to the countryside, filled with light and wide views through gable glazing and rooflights.  A locally crafted timber and glass staircase links the two floors, bringing light and character throughout the house.

The house uses low-impact materials including strawbale, timber, and sheep wool insulation.  Its super-insulated structure holds heat efficiently, reducing energy use and keeping the climate inside balanced and comfortable.  Built to perform for generations, Tree House shows how natural materials and thoughtful design can go hand in hand.