In England, Couple Builds a Serene Shou Sugi Ban Retreat

With accessibility and sustainability top of mind, architect Oliver Leech designs a garden dwelling that brings a family closer together.

Five years ago, geologist Nikki Earthrowl and her husband, Richard, approached architect Oliver Leech with an idea firmly planted in the future. “The brief was to create a house that would enable accessible living,” Leech says.

Nikki and Richard live just outside London in the town of Esher, and they wanted to construct a home on their property where her mother could live independently and comfortably for many years to come. The dwelling would be modest in size—just two bedrooms and a compact living space—although the couple had big goals in mind and sought to prioritize accessibility, sustainability, and a forward-looking aesthetic.

“We were asked to use contemporary construction methods to produce a low-energy and sustainable house, and chose materials that would be healthy to promote well-being,” says Leech.