Peak Architects was appointed by the Chatsworth Settlement Trust to develop designs for a proposed bird hide, to be located within the grounds of the children's Farmyard. Within an extremely limited budget, Peak Architects designed a beautiful and original woodland bird hide on the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire. Its location, on the edge of a copse of trees, allows young bird watchers to feel part of the woodland habitat. The hide has a cedar shingle-clad exterior, that will slowly turn to a metallic grey, with a birch ply lining.
Peak Architects’ approach was to enable the user to feel as close as possible to the wildlife in the woodland:
- A subtle, organic wooden structure that is both sustainable and lightweight in construction;
- The curves of the simple timber-framed structure take reference from its location adjacent to a ‘HaHa’, a feature of the original Capability Brown landscaped gardens, within the Estate;
- Constructed for only £12,000 and within four weeks on site, the building is fully wheelchair/DDA accessible and has viewing slots at multiple heights to allow for people of all ages and abilities to use the hide with ease.
- The site falls within the general classification of the Grade I* listing for the Chatsworth Estate; detailed planning and listed building permission was required for the Birdhide.
