Forest Lodge

This project in a beautifully adapted terrace house by architects Stanic Harding entailed the fit-out of 2 home office spaces. The clients are a pair of high-flying marine scientist/educators and regularly work from home, requiring more than your average file storage and shelving for research/reading matter. It was such a pleasure to work for this couple who are committed to finding solutions to climate change and the problems facing ocean environments.

Office One has been designed as a workspace slash library, with a sprawling built-in sofa covered in dusty pink velvet housing 4 large swing-file drawers. The sofa was designed so that my (very tall) clients can sit one at each end and fully extend their legs, allowing them to lounge, read and relax together. The ultra-wide shelves overhead have varying depths and subtle supports, giving the illusion of lightness despite their strength. Joinery is finished in a combination of lime-washed oak veneer and a simple E0 white melamine hand-painted to match the walls. The compact, floating desk is tucked away and comprises drawers, a hidden cable tray, hidden shelf, open shelving and an apricot-pink Echopanel pinboard. A vintage Danish oak-framed chair completes the comfortable set-up.

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In Office Two, form follows function with a tall cabinet housing 18 shelves for filing different active projects, giving this set-up its unusual form. Its side is covered in aquamarine coloured Echopanel as a pinboard. Below are 2 swing-file drawers that have been oriented sideways so as to be accessible easily whilst sitting at the desk. The desk itself has been created from a large slice of Camphor Laurel timber that was cut by my client's father on their land when he was a boy. This is supported by a single, solid white-painted leg, giving an illusion of a floating organic form which breaks out from the straight-lined joinery and provides a meaningful surface for work and reflection. The Mirra office chair by Herman Miller was chosen for comfort and sustainability, being made from 50% recycled content and Cradle-to-Cradle Silver accredited. A mid-century sofa, recovered with 100% linen fabric in ocean green completes this new home office, providing a comfortable reading spot where my client can stretch his (very long) legs.

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Our designs were built and installed by the wonderful team at Timberline Joinery. Upholstery by Improvision Design, whom we thank for being so helpful in experimenting with recycled foam. Electrical work by our friends Mick and Liz at Electricus.

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Sustainable elements & materials

Desk surfaces are lit from above by recessed LED lighting, with ergonomically-placed concealed switches.

Echopanel made from 60% recycled PET plastic bottles.

E0 board used to create all joinery units, meaning no formaldehyde.

Vintage oak office chair in Office One. Vintage sofa recovered in Office Two.

The Mirra office chair in Office Two by Herman Miller is made from 50% recycled content and is Cradle-to-Cradle Silver accredited.

Rugs (in production) made from Tretford goat's hair carpet with backing made from recycled materials.