HPA’s Treehouse Shortlisted in the AJ Architecture Awards 2023
The AJ has revealed the first finalists for this year’s AJ Architecture Awards, the annual showcase of the very best built projects in the UK.
HPA’s Treehouse designed for Another Place: The Lake has been shortlisted in the Project under £500,000 (£300,000-£500,00) category. HPA are are the only northern based practice in the category and the treehouse is an unusual project, given that Rural homes dominate the Project under £500,000 category – which has been subdivided for the first time this year.
First 2023 AJ Architecture Awards shortlists revealed
Positioned on the shores of Ullswater, an ecologically sensitive, bespoke treehouse appears nestled within the grounds of Another Place. Commissioned as part of the hotel’s new Outside collection, an exclusive collection of retreats created as an immersive experience, fostering a close relationship with nature, whilst retaining the pleasure of exquisite, interior spaces.
Accessed by an elevated, woodland walkway, the treetop hideaway is secluded by oak, ash and yew to the rear, affording the opportunity to sleep amongst the trees. While the eastern elevation overlooks a wetland garden, benefiting from panoramic views of the serene lakeshore and surrounding fells. The innovative design was envisioned to bring guests closer to the natural environs, offering comfort but never distracting from the captivating setting.
Constructed on a British timber frame using eco-screw pile system, which minimizes the impact on existing trees, powered by 100% renewable electricity and heated from the hotel’s biomass boiler, the treehouse was designed with sustainability at its core.
Existing as if it has grown out of its environment, the thoughtful and balanced use of dark Shou-Sugi-Ban cladding allows the form to recede, embedding the 70m2 structure within its setting.
Generous glazing and a spacious deck with freestanding bath ensure that guests can connect with the wild, whilst benefiting from maximum daylight.
Utilizing our multidisciplinary approach our specialist team envisioned how best to combine the world heritage site and the hotel and enable the continued prosperity of the hotel. Our design focused on bringing the significant Lakeland setting of Ullswater into a woodland retreat that embraces the unique sense of place.
The team liaised with drainage specialists and the landscape architect to minimize impact upon existing trees and design within a wetland garden.
“These plans are exciting yet sympathetic to the unique surroundings of the Lake District National Park. They represent a significant investment in improving the visitor experience for all our guests.”
Will Ashworth, Another Place.
A total of nearly 140 projects have been shortlisted across 21 categories for this year’s awards, the rest of the shortlists will be revealed over the course of this week. The expert judges will be visiting the shortlisted schemes over the rest of the summer.
“In addition to stand-out design, the judges will consider how each project has met or exceeded its brief, how it has promoted client or community engagement and how it has excelled in the use of space or sense of place. They will also analyse what sustainability measures have been put in place. Each project must have completed between 1 January 2022 and 31 July 2023.”
The winners will be announced at a celebratory dinner at the Hilton Metropole, London, on 22 November 2023.
For more stories about on our leisure work at Another Place: https://www.hpa.ltd/architectural-projects/another-place-lake/
Read more about AJ Architecture Awards: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/first-2023-aj-architecture-awards-shortlists-revealed?tkn=1
