Velfac UK - Case study: The Bide

Designed and built by architect Scott Lewis of ReFrame Studio®, The Bide is a collection of colourful eco cabins where guests can soak up the Dorset countryside through large VELFAC picture windows.

Only as big as they need to be, the cabins named The Bothy and The Nest are low-impact, energy efficient, perfectly equipped holiday retreats for two.

The idea for the cabins was sparked when Scott and his partner Caroline, a contemporary furniture buyer, visited Bauhaus in Berlin and saw a project by architecture students where they had built cabins on trailers. They demonstrated the variety of different spaces that can be built on a very small footprint. “We thought the scale of cabins would be perfectly suited to a holiday home and could be a project we could take on ourselves – not just the design, but the build, too,” explains Scott. 

A lockdown self-build project

Lockdown in 2020 provided Scott and Caroline with the opportunity to bring their germ of an idea to reality. Staying true to the original concept, the first cabin they built, named The Bothy, was designed to fit onto a trailer, a factor that was also necessary as they would need to transport it from Lincolnshire where they were building it, to a working farm in Dorset, its final location.

“We deliberately designed the cabin for two people to share, and everything is sized appropriately while keeping things comfortable – we even managed to include a super king size bed on a mezzanine level.” The Bothy also features a living area, kitchenette, and a wood fired hot tub on the decking.

With sustainability a driving factor, great care has been taken to select the fixtures and fittings and the furnishings. For example, the mattress is made from organic and recycled natural fibres, while the vapourised water shower uses 40% less water than a regular shower.

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)

Scott and Caroline built the cabin themselves using a modern method of construction called Wikihouse, creating a high performing shell which is both very airtight and highly insulated.

Wikihouse is essentially “LEGO for buildings” it’s an open-source system that is digitally manufactured with millimetre precision. The panels were supplied flat packed and assembled on-site by Scott and Caroline: “It’s a great approach for self-builders who want to be a little more hands-on,” says Scott.

VELFAC chosen for a second time

Following the success of the first build, Scott and Caroline decided to embark on a second. “We built The Nest on site at the farm, which allowed us to play with space and shape,” explains Scott, “we didn’t have to worry about it fitting onto a trailer this time.”

Slightly larger than The Bothy, The Nest is all on one level. Scott and Caroline also took a different approach to colours used while being careful to create a visual connection between the two cabins as well as with the surrounding countryside.

While The Bothy is clad in a red corrugated roofing sheet with VELFAC frames in Signal Black (RAL 9005) externally and Green Grey (RAL 7009) internally, they have used bolder colours for The Nest – a dark-blue tiled exterior creates a striking contrast with VELFAC frames internally in the same red as The Bothy’s cladding.

They were also more experimental with use of colour and choice of materials in The Nest’s interior. The dark blue exterior is echoed in the acoustic blue felt fabric used on the interior walls. “We didn’t want to use plasterboard,” explains Scott, “we wanted something that would sit nicely on the SIPS panels and was a bit more eco and interesting”.

On both cabins, the FSC-certified wood internal frames are painted a contrasting colour to the external aluminium frames. “We love how the painted frames help to contain the views; the crispness of the frames against the ever-changing view of nature works on so many levels.”

Working with the daylight

The VELFAC picture window is a key part of the design and the guest experience. “We made a deliberate decision not to interrupt the glazing with vertical mullions. As well as acting as a portal to the landscape, the minimal frame helps to maximise the light in the space.”

Each cabin is also fitted with a VELFAC RIBO entrance door and an opening window in the bathroom for ventilation and to allow fresh air to circulate.

Designed for year-round use

The VELFAC windows and doors contribute to the airtightness and energy efficiency of the cabins, ensuring they can be used year-round. In warmer weather, the cabin doesn’t overheat, and it stays nice and warm when it’s chilly outside (The Bothy is fitted with a radiator and The Nest underfloor heating). When guests aren’t outside taking full advantage of the outdoor wood-fired hot tub (The Bothy) or stargazing from the outdoor bathtub (The Nest), they can stay indoors and enjoy the views or watch a film – both cabins are fitted with a projector, screen and a Mubi account for cinematic screening.

Why choose VELFAC windows?

As an architect, Scott had used VELFAC for previous projects, and he knew they offered the style and scale he was looking for. “There are a number of reasons why I chose VELFAC: I love the elegance of the frame and that it looks consistently the same regardless of whether it is a fixed light or opening window; they are highly energy efficient; and, of course, there’s the option to choose any frame colour, which is something that can elevate a project from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

“We used VELFAC distributor Westcott Construction to supply and deliver our windows and they were incredibly helpful. The site is sloped, which created some access issues but, with a little help from the farmer and his tractor, we got there.”

Scott’s advice for anyone embarking on a self-build project?

“Put together a hierarchy of what you want and need to enjoy the space, and that includes the windows. Think about their purpose, but don’t try to make everything multifunctional as you can lose the purity of what you’re trying to achieve. For us, the oversized VELFAC picture windows relative to the size of the cabins, are the lynchpin of what we were aiming to achieve: to create a cosy eco retreat where guests can feel enveloped by nature.”

The Bothy and The Nest are both available to book at The Bide.