the black huf haus
seer green, buckinghamshire
completed: 2005
client: private
architect: peter huf
size: 2 hectares
photography: helen fickling
This was the first of a number of Huf Haus projects we have worked on. Our clients demolished a house they had lived in for years in order to build their dream home and it was essential to rework their beautiful manicured garden. We had to be incredibly sensitive as there was inevitably a great deal of emotional attachment to plants which had been nurtured for decades. But at the same time we had to be fairly radical or the exercise would be pointless. The initial stages involved much editing of plant material and a great deal of tree surgery.
One of the wonderful features of a Huf Haus is the vast windows which bring the landscape right into the house and we took full advantage of this by bringing planting within touching distance of the glass. It was a delight to work with clients who were both avid gardeners and collectors of sculpture which features throughout.