The Bird Box - Fully Accessible Tree House - Private Air BnB - Rural Suffolk

Location - Laxfield, Suffolk

Date - 2023-2024

Type - Private

GIA - 61 m2

Set within a secluded corner of a working field in East Suffolk, close to the coastline, this evolving site is defined by reflective ponds, diverse wildlife and a richly textured landscape. A series of small-scale, handcrafted structures is emerging here as distinctive short-stay accommodation, including a Water Shack overlooking a woodland glade and a Shepherd’s Hut nestled within its own natural enclave.

The latest addition—now under construction—is the Bird Box, a fully accessible tree-house conceived as an inclusive retreat within a carefully selected cluster of mature trees. Unlike conventional accessible holiday units, the project avoids visible adaptations; instead, level access and movement through the building are designed seamlessly into the architecture. The experience of travelling from ground level to the canopy is deliberately choreographed, allowing wheelchair users to enjoy the site’s full vertical range without mechanical lifts or bolt-on solutions.

The Bird Box adopts a circular design philosophy, utilising sustainable materials and engineered for potential disassembly and reuse. Environmental systems—including rainwater harvesting and integrated photovoltaics—aim to deliver an autonomous energy strategy for heating, cooling and comfort.

The project is being developed by local craftsman and entrepreneur John Archer, whose intimate understanding of the Suffolk landscape informs the site’s character and construction quality. Currently on site, the Bird Box is scheduled for completion in Spring 2025, adding a new chapter to this quietly expanding collection of landscape-led retreats.

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