The Lakes by YOO is a design and sustainability led estate in the heart of the Cotswolds. Through the creation of this site the team saw an opportunity to reinvest in the countryside, reimaging a previously barren 850-acre gravel pit. Set amongst lakes, meadows, and woodlands the houses on site were designed in collaboration with ecologists and local conservationists. Conscious of adding value to the site’s natural assets and being sympathetic to the landscape and ecosystem, the architecture was designed to provide homes that would last, and work to preserve this rare haven.
Providing an idyllic environment for guests and residents was one of the key priorities for the YOO team. Homes built on the lakes were designed to have individual charm, be materially harmonious with the wild landscape and emblematic of the region. With sustainability in mind, Millworks timber was used as both exterior and interior cladding. Aiming to create tranquil spaces to retreat to, YOO used natural materials found in the neighbouring landscape to create a cohesive scheme from indoors and outdoors. Thanks to the timber construction and the natural weathering, the houses fit perfectly into the surrounding environment.
During the design process products were considered for their cradle to grave life cycle. Timber was selected throughout this project as it is a product with low embodied carbon in comparison to other building materials such as steel frame, concrete and synthetic insulation. The service life of the timber products used has been extended by modern preservation methods such as kiln drying and thermal modification to further increase the durability of the wood. The 850-acre site is covered by The Cotswold Park Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means the estate must manage the site holistically in line with Natural England’s regulations.
Millworks FSC® certified Siberian Larch was specified for external cladding, chosen for its exceedingly hard wearing and durable properties. Grown in Northern Europe and accustomed to this harsh, cold climate, it’s not surprising that this timber is so dependable. Millworks FSC® Siberian Larch is kiln dried at source, providing an optimum moisture content for flawless machining and product longevity. Over time this warm toned, golden timber weathers to a silver grey, making it a popular choice in contemporary design.
In addition to external timber cladding, YOO’s design team selected Millworks PEFC™ certified Thermowood for the internal panelling across the project. The patented thermal modification during which the wood is treated with steam and heat only, provides enhanced dimensional stability and improved shape retention. Thermowood provides a perfect canvas to be combined with natural textures, such as Cotswold stone, as it is uniform in appearance; Sourced from carefully selected Finnish Redwood, Millworks Thermowood is dark brown throughout, and the low moisture content allows for a consistent surface texture.
“From the first meeting to completion of 18 apartments and 8 lakeside cabins, the team at Millworks were an absolute pleasure to work with. From the start they offered invaluable help; from finessing custom profiles and finishes, to meeting our split delivery schedule over the two-year build, Millworks brought their experience and wisdom to the whole process. They also effortlessly took on the unforeseen new orders and were always quick to help with bespoke extras that were needed in a hurry as the designs evolved on site. We highly recommend Millworks and look forward to working with them on future projects.”
David Hitchcox – Project Manager, The Lakes By YOO
