Architecture

Nature-focused residence will become enveloped in greenery over time

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Plastic fantastic: Woven's exterior doesn't look all that lush at the moment but its intricate trellis-like plastic screen will become increasingly covered with greenery over time
Rachel Ferriman
Plastic fantastic: Woven's exterior doesn't look all that lush at the moment but its intricate trellis-like plastic screen will become increasingly covered with greenery over time
Rachel Ferriman
Woven's trellis-like exterior is made from recycled ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), a thermoplastic, which was sourced from the production of electronic components
Rachel Ferriman
Structurally, Woven mostly consists of cross-laminated timber and steel, as well as some concrete foundations
Rachel Ferriman
Woven is located in Kent, England, on a tree-filled plot that's situated very close to the beach
Rachel Ferriman
Woven's interior is finished in cross-laminated timber and its understated decor puts the focus on the attractive wood
Rachel Ferriman
Woven's interior is light-filled thanks to its generous glazing
Rachel Ferriman
Woven's upper floor includes four bedrooms, each of which has an en-suite bathroom
Rachel Ferriman
Each of Woven's bedrooms feature a large window, offering views of the surrounding greenery
Rachel Ferriman
Woven's ground floor features an open layout and includes a dining area and kitchen
Rachel Ferriman
Woven's garden includes a small barrel-shaped sauna area
Rachel Ferriman
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British firm Giles Miller Studio recently completed its first residential project. Named Woven, the remarkable home is wrapped in an intricate screen made up of a recycled thermoplastic polymer and will become almost totally covered in greenery over time.

Woven is located in Kent, England, very close to the beach, and serves as a family retreat. The residence's trellis-like screen is quite complex and draws inspiration from the twisted patterns of rattan weave. It wraps almost the entire home, helping to shade its very generous glazing, and has several plants on it that will continue to cover it over time.

To create the screen, the architect used recycled ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) modules. The material was sourced from waste recovered from the production of electronic components.

"Woven's external surface is a sculptural artwork which brings an architectural functionality to the building by encouraging jasmine, clematis and other planting to grow up through the sculptural latticework and bring nature visibly into the building through the largely glass exterior," explained Giles Miller Studio. "The facade makes the building look at home within nature, brings the beauty of those natural surroundings visually into the building for the inhabitants benefit, and also enables the extensive use of floor to ceiling glass by creating natural shading."

Woven's interior is finished in cross-laminated timber and its understated decor puts the focus on the attractive wood
Rachel Ferriman

Structurally, Woven consists of steel and CLT (cross-laminated timber), as well as some concrete in the foundations. Its interior is very nicely done and the understated color palette puts the focus on the natural beauty of the unfinished wood.

It's furnished with natural materials, including horsehair, cotton and Shetland wool, as well as luxurious silk and cashmere. The lighting is all energy efficient and all water fittings in the kitchen and bathrooms are designed to use minimal water.

The upstairs area contains four bedrooms, each one with an en-suite bathroom and a view of the greenery. There's also a large terrace area up there and some seating, allowing the owners to enjoy sitting among the trees and plants.

Source: Giles Miller Studio

View gallery - 10 images
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4 comments
Karmudjun
In the Southern USA, the vines and greenery would make a nice haven for birds, and for bird-egg hunters. There is nothing less exciting than looking out at a bird nest to see a chicken snake enjoying breakfast. Actually, with my unnatural fear of snakes, it would be very fight or flight stimulating, but not one I enjoy! It does sound nice outside of the risk of cultivating a snake haven. Good article, I'm glad there are uses for e-waste that I haven't heard about before!
andrew
No thanks, before long it would be filled with insects and birds...just crawling with life...and how long before said plants start creeping across the patio to root upon the actual house? Covering up the windows...no, it seems like a nightmare to me
Nelson Hyde Chick
This article should have included a rendering of what the architect imagines the house will look like after a few springs.
ljaques
Imagine the lovely look to the house for those months the greenery all dies back, leaving straw-like, dead tentacles and spider webs. Imagine the fun of trying to pull it all off to let it start anew each and every year. This is why I don't like all those skyscrapers being covered in deciduous vines. They'll look like hell for half the year, while the building exterior fights off the greenery which is trying to get in during the other half. Hard pass.