Tucked away in East Sussex, England, Michael Kendrick Architects created Looking Glass Lodge, a holiday home that almost disappears into the surrounding protected woodland. Hidden from view and wrapped in western red cedar, the small lodge makes full use of its natural setting while offering guests uninterrupted views through large picture windows.
Positioned within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the building appears to float among the trees as the land drops away beneath it. Every design decision helps the lodge sit quietly within the woodland while allowing visitors to experience the landscape from every room.
A Design That Respects the Woodland
Looking Glass Lodge makes use of a natural clearing, meaning no trees had to be removed during construction. Built by local craftspeople, the project uses a hybrid steel and timber structure supported by low-impact screwpile foundations that help protect existing tree roots while allowing wildlife to continue moving through the site.
The lodge was also manufactured off site before being assembled in place, reducing disruption during construction. Unfinished western red cedar covers both the exterior and interior, and over time the timber will naturally weather into a soft silver-grey that helps the building blend even more closely with the surrounding forest.
Arriving Through the Forest
The experience begins long before reaching the front door. Guests follow a narrow woodland path before arriving at a generous terrace positioned on the south side of the lodge at ground level.
From this first glimpse, the building feels immersed within the trees. Large picture windows stretch across both the front and rear facades, drawing the woodland into the interior and filling every space with natural light throughout the seasons.
Bright Interiors With Smart Glass Technology
The generous glazing does more than provide beautiful views. Self-tinting electrochromic glass automatically helps reduce overheating during warmer months while offering additional privacy when needed.
As evening arrives, the glazing also limits the amount of artificial light escaping into the woodland. This feature plays an important role in protecting the area’s bat population by reducing disturbance to one of the site’s protected species.
A Warm and Inviting Living Space
Stepping inside, visitors are welcomed into a relaxed living room where an L-shaped sofa, a comfortable armchair and a suspended fireplace create a cozy place to unwind after exploring the surrounding woodland.
Natural timber finishes continue throughout the interior, creating a consistent palette that complements the changing colors outside the windows without competing for attention.
A Compact Kitchen Designed for Everyday Use
Positioned at the center of the lodge, the bespoke kitchen may be compact, but every element has been arranged to make cooking and dining comfortable. Birch plywood cabinetry adds warmth while reinforcing the simple material palette found throughout the home.
Glass walls and the timber ceiling visually link the kitchen with the bedroom, allowing natural light to travel freely between the spaces and helping the interior feel larger than its footprint suggests.
A Bedroom Framed by the Forest
The bedroom continues the minimalist approach, featuring a custom shelving niche above the bed that provides useful storage without adding unnecessary furniture.
Opposite the bed, a freestanding bathtub is positioned beside the windows, allowing guests to soak while enjoying uninterrupted woodland views. Behind a sliding door, the ensuite bathroom includes a separate shower that keeps the layout simple and efficient.
Glowing Among the Trees After Dark
As daylight fades, Looking Glass Lodge quietly recedes into the woodland. The darkened glazing and cedar exterior help the building become less noticeable among the trees.
Warm interior lighting softly illuminates the lodge from within, creating a welcoming glow while limiting its impact on the surrounding environment.
Exploring the Design
The architectural drawings provide another perspective on the project, including the floor plan, elevation, section and site plan. Together they reveal how the lodge responds to the sloping landscape and how each space has been organized within its compact footprint.
They also highlight the low-impact construction strategy that allowed the building to be introduced with minimal disturbance to the protected woodland.
From its cedar exterior and expansive glazing to its low-impact construction methods and wildlife-conscious design, every element of this small lodge works together to create a holiday home that celebrates the beauty of the East Sussex woodland while helping preserve it for years to come.