Architects of Contemporary Design & Conservation in three of the UK’s National Parks
Who we are…
Natalie Skeete RIBA
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BA(Hons) M.Arch MSc Building Conservation RIBA (Dist).
Natalie was born and brought up in London and originally considered becoming a dancer. However, she went on to study architecture and after completing her final qualification in 2012, she founded Forest Architecture later that year.
A former Masters student at the University of Bath, Natalie spent a number of years back at the university working as a Visiting Teaching Fellow and has since critiqued students at a number of other architecture schools.
Natalie’s love of old buildings led her to study the RIBA’s conservation course and she subsequently went on to complete a Masters in Building Conservation at the Weald and Downland Living Museum in 2021. Her dissertation on Hurst Castle, questioned the future of historic coastal buildings in anticipation of rising sea levels and increased coastal erosion and she continues to have a keen interest in whether such buildings should continue to be preserved or left to their inevitable loss.
Natalie has recently been appointed as the Buildings and Fabrics Team lead on a local Grade I listed church, advising on repairs an upcoming works.
She is a keen cook, she enjoys growing her own fruit and veg and she loves a forest walk.
Portraits by Carrie Bugg Photography
RIBA Chartered practice
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Award winning practice
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Extensive National Park experience
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Extensive Conservation Area and historic building experience
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Collaborative ethos with Clients, Consultants and Craftspeople
Anna Burton
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BArch (Hons) Dip. Arch
Anna has been drawn back to the coast, and now lives across the water from her home island of Guernsey. Moving to the mainland for university, she studied her initial degree in Nottingham and then later moved to London and completed her studies at Westminster University. It was whilst working in London that she gained experience on a range of projects; from a large scale mixed used development to one-off V&A exhibition. It was also in London that she had two formative experiences: gaining experience in high-end residential projects and meeting Natalie whilst working at the same Architectural practice.
After qualifying her and her new husband set off on an adventure to see the world. They returned nine months later and unpacked their backpack in Bath. Here her residential portfolio grew as she worked on a number of private homes including some listed buildings, a contrast in style to the one-off contemporary homes she went on to work on next.
Anna joined Forest Architecture in 2020 and enjoys working alongside Natalie, focusing on small-scale individual projects and often finds the simplest approach is best; a logical layout, clean details and a small palette of materials. She enjoys the challenge of designing something which not only meets the client’s brief but exceeds their expectations.
She can still be found exploring with her husband but now it’s in the New Forest, with two small kids in tow.
While out of the studio…
Anna excited when visiting Keymer Tiles
Daytrip to Bath
Natalie forging an iron nail
Awards
Build Magazine - Best Heritage Architectural Design Specialists 2024 - Hampshire
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The Daily Telegraph Home Building & Renovating Awards - Best Extension 2023
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New Forest National Park Authority Building Awards - Best Residential Scheme 2022
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BLT International Design Awards for Heritage 2021
Memberships & Accreditations
Architects Registration Board [ARB]
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Architects Declare
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Institute of Historic Building Conservation [IHBC] – Affiliate Member
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Royal Institute of British Architects – Chartered Practice
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Royal Institute of British Architects – Chartered Member
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Royal Institute of British Architects – Conservation Register
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The Society For The Protection Of Ancient Buildings [SPAB]
We create well-crafted, beautiful architecture using natural materials and traditional building crafts. Intrinsic to each project is a narrative driven by a need to create a seamless relationship between our buildings and their setting
Our values
Planting seeds of great potential
We do not limit ourselves when it comes to architectural design, even if a site is located within the most sensitive of contexts or a client presents us with the most prescriptive of briefs. We feel there is an opportunity to make a great impact no matter the project size, budget or site limitations. Our job after all, is to make ideas come to life and our objective is to give clients a more thought provoking vision than they initially imagined possible. If we can achieve this, then we have done our job.
Sustainability from inception
We have a duty to consider the environment throughout the design process, therefore encouraging our clients to consider sustainability and their 'green agenda' from the outset. We look at every project with an opportunity to reduce energy consumption, considering low energy, passive practices and using the site's orientation to base the environmental design upon. We adopt a ‘fabric first’ approach, maximising the environmental potential from the floors, walls and roofs and fundamental to our philosophy is to keep the carbon footprint of each project to a minimum; employing local trades, consultants and materials.
Reuse of old buildings
The practice loves working within historic contexts and on old buildings, which is why we chose to set up the practice in an area with a wealth of built heritage. We take pride in undertaking historic research and analysis in order to understand a site's significance. You cannot treat historically important sites with a standardised approach, they are all unique for their intrinsic historic value and by their nature of being heritage assets, are noted for their individual merits. We therefore treat such sites sensitively and with the utmost respect, to ensure we continue to enhance their significance, whilst adapting them for future use.
A love of natural materials:
The practice isn’t called Forest Architecture for nothing! Natural materials weave through each and every project, providing a strong sense of place. Our values are rooted in the honesty of materials. Wood, clay, stone, earth, water, straw, bamboo and cob are all sourced from the earth, which provides a sense of familiarity, warmth, comfort and permanence. We believe in utilising these materials to create healthy, breathable environments that are timeless, comfortable places to live and work.
Attention to detail:
We believe that beauty lives in the details that others might overlook. From the way a shadow falls across a timber joint to the seamless transition between stone and glass, our obsession with precision ensures a sense of quiet, effortless quality in every corner of your home. We enjoy turning our concept sketches into something that can be beautifully constructed, We like to take our time with this stage to ensure everything has been considered and coordinated. For example, how do we collect surface water from a roof? How have we integrated solar shading? And how are specific materials brought together? Without careful consideration across these details these areas can easily become design issues and even eyesores.
Traditional crafts:
We believe traditional crafts are not relics of the past, but the foundation of a sustainable future. By championing local masonry, timber framing, and lime work, we ensure our projects possess a tactile soul and a quiet permanence that machines cannot replicate. Our interest in traditional crafts is establishing a key role within our work as we do not seek to create ultra-contemporary, sleek end-products but instead celebrate the imperfections and natural patina inherent in the use of natural materials. We celebrate the hand of the maker—the way flint is knapped or oak is joined. We integrate time-honoured craftsmanship with contemporary design to create homes that are built to endure, not just to inhabit
Creating buildings and spaces that are timeless, understated and with great quality natural light
Our philosophy
Architecture and Place
Architecture should grow from its surroundings, responding to landscape, settlement patterns and the character of a site
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Continuity and Change
Many projects explore the dialogue between historic fabric and contemporary intervention, allowing old and new to coexist with clarity
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Craft and Material
Materials and detailing are considered carefully so that buildings age well and feel grounded in their setting
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Thoughtful Development
Ideas are tested and refined through careful iteration, allowing projects to evolve into coherent and lasting architecture
Our approach
Context first
Simple, effortlessly designed architecture that is well connected to its landscape.
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Craft and material honesty
We intentionally keep each project's material palette to a minimum
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Contemporary design within sensitive and historic settings
We enjoy introducing an element of surprise or a special 'moment' in each and every project and enjoy adjoining the old and the new
Our methodology
Linear design process
Our design approach is linear. This allows us to navigate the planning process by forming strong relationships with planning departments, consultants and contractors alike
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Early cost review
We encourage Clients to engage in an initial cost review early on but critically before the project is submitted for planning approval. This provides some cost certainty as the project progresses
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Creative design tools
We love the creative side of the design process utilising sketching, imagery and modelling as tools to translate our ideas into considered design solutions.