Crafting Sustainable Escapes: The Ethos and Eco-Friendly Practices of Wildly Crafted
Born from a desire to make a positive impact on the environment, Wildly Crafted creates soulful retreats that seamlessly blend with nature. Discover how their passion for sustainability drives the creation of bespoke cabins and treehouses, offering a haven for those seeking solace in the great outdoors. Join us in a Q&A session with Wildly Crafted’s Founder, John, as he shares insights into the inspiration behind the company's mission.
What inspired the creation of Wildly Crafted and what motivated you to venture into the cabin building industry?
“Our name, Wildly Crafted, and the inspiration for our business came from seeds of change and an ironic twist of fate! I had long been frustrated with the environmentally damaging materials we were using in general building. However, I found it difficult to move away from them when they had been specified by the architect, client, or engineer. Just as I was delving deeper into how I could make changes within my work, the building project I was about to start fell through, and I was invited to craft a treehouse holiday let!
As a family, we prioritise the environment and our health, making considered choices. Moving away from working with damaging materials became non-negotiable. My wife and I put our heads together and decided to create a business that reflects our core values.
Wildly Crafted was the way forward—a soulful business crafted from the heart, where we could build with materials we truly believe in. These materials are not only kinder to the planet but also far healthier for our clients to live with.
While working on that first treehouse project, I fell completely in love with the process of working with beautiful sustainable timber. I wanted to leave it in its perfectly imperfect form, yet shape and craft it to seamlessly come together in the building. Hence, the name—Wildly Crafted!”
How does the company's mission align with the principles of sustainable living and nature immersion?
“A biophilic design is what we aim for with every build, enticing others to reignite their wild, untamed souls within. It serves as a reminder that we are nature and should strive to reconnect with our natural surroundings and the biodiversity that lives alongside us. Hopefully, this will nurture a deeper love to protect it.
if you are going to build anything, prioritise minimising your footprint. Choose materials that cause the least harm to our planet, the construction site itself, and those residing within the building.
Sustainability is at the core of everything we do and every choice we make. We are constantly on the lookout for new emerging materials as they come to market and integrating them into our builds if they prove to be a better choice than those we are already using.”
Can you elaborate on the choice of materials for your cabins and treehouses? How do these materials contribute to sustainability and the overall aesthetic of the escapes?
“We're all about sustainable building practices. Our ground screw foundations, made of galvanised steel, are eco-friendly and tree-friendly too. They're easy to install and leave no need for concrete. Plus, they can be reused or recycled when their time is up!
When it comes to timber, we keep it local whenever possible. Whether it's from nearby forests or reclaimed sources, we make sure it's sustainably sourced and certified.
Hemp is our insulation of choice. It's breathable, non-toxic, and great at managing moisture. The hemp plant grows fast, captures tons of carbon, and supports biodiversity without the need for pesticides. Plus, its roots enrich the soil with nitrogen.
We also use wood fibre insulation, made from paper production waste. Green roofs are another favourite of ours, as they provide additional habitat for insects and wildlife whilst sequestering carbon. For more information about the materials we use and why, you can visit our website” (link here).
Are there specific challenges or considerations in sourcing and working with these materials for off-grid structures?
“Working off-grid presents some challenges, and good planning is essential. Weather is the main concern; undertaking an on-site build during a wet winter, two fields away from the nearest solid road, can be tricky, to say the least—we speak from experience! In such cases, opting for an off-site build may be preferable. However, once the building is completed in our workshop, it still needs to be transported to the site and craned into position, requiring a good, solid access road. Cue summer delivery or a temporary removable road laid! In summary, we have the means to build almost anywhere—depending on budget!”
What design principles guide the creation of your cabins and treehouses? How do you ensure each escape complements its natural surroundings?
”It’S great to be involved in the design process from scratch so we can fully embody our design principles, but we are often approached by clients who have already started their journey and have a concept with planning underway. In this case, we work closely with them to develop the concept and create something really special together. We are also happy to collaborate with our clients' own architects or personal designs to bring them to life.
For a more straightforward approach, we have been working on three of our own cabin designs to offer for purchase off-the-shelf, so to speak! We feel that we have infused each of these designs with our experience and expertise. We are excited to launch two of the designs later in the year, but The Simple Cabin is available now.
Finding the right spot is essential, especially for holiday lets. We aim to make the most of sunrises/sunsets and frame views from the cabin, which often influences some of the design decisions. Sometimes, we suggest leaving the best spot around for the view from the cabin.”
In what ways does Wildly Crafted strive to create a balance between comfort and minimal environmental impact in its designs?
“We like to think our buildings feel good to just be in—consciously created with natural, sustainable materials, minimising toxins throughout the entire building process. This creates an efficient 'feel-good' space without compromise.”
Discover wildly crafted cabins and treehouse projects below:
Beneath The Branches (West Sussex, treehouse’s)
Designed around a cluster of Oak trees overlooking a serene pond, ‘Beneath the Branches’ embodies rustic charm with modern luxuries. The treehouse's unique features include long vertical windows framing the surrounding trees, reclaimed materials like wriggly tin and pallet wood. John managed to source a preloved rustic kitchen which was removed from a country house and rejigged it to suit the space available in the treehouse, a complete one off! Its split-level layout seamlessly integrates with the natural landscape, offering a cosy living/kitchen space upstairs and a bedroom and bathroom below. Guests can unwind on the deck overlooking the pond, enjoying alfresco dining or a bath under the stars. Beneath the Branches provides a one-of-a-kind retreat, where guests can reconnect with nature in comfort and style.
Starcroft Farm Cabins (East Sussex, cabins)
Inspired by the dream of clients Hannah and Tom to create three cabins for writing retreats and getaways, Starcroft Cabins stand as a testament to collaborative design. Throughout the project, Wildly Crafted worked closely with the clients, bringing their vision to life by crafting characterful retreats with the help of tradesmen and artists selected by Hannah and Tom. This collaboration ensured that unique features, such as stained glass windows and murals, were expertly incorporated.
Situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the cabins had to be mobile, leading to a fully demountable design. Locally sourced timber from the neighboring Powder Mill woodland lends an authentic touch, with each cabin clad in distinct materials like Chestnut, Douglas fir, and Larch. Raised on stilts to navigate soggy winter grounds, these cabins offer a unique off-grid experience in dark sky heaven, ideal for creative escapes.
Wildly Crafted escapes very own ‘The Simple Cabin’
Wildly Crafted's very own 'Simple Cabin' stands as the first of their off- the-shelf cabin range, with two more designs in the pipeline. Their clients played a pivotal role in refining the design, contributing ideas
that led to the inclusion of some delightful additional features. Boasting unique elements such as a wriggly tin wrap (as shown in the image), a green sedum roof, and a wrap-around deck with an outdoor kitchen and shower, 'The Simple Cabin' is designed to serve as a garden escape, home office, and guest accommodation, delivering on relaxation and functionality.
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If you’re interested in having a cabin or treehouse built by Wildly Crafted, reaching out is easy. Whether you have a clear vision or just an idea, their process starts with an initial consultation, followed by a site visit and survey. They provide sketches, estimated costs, and guide you through design, build, and landscaping. With a focus on simplicity and sustainability, Wildly Crafted ensures a stress-free experience.
If you're ready for your own bespoke retreat, Wildly Crafted is ready to bring your vision to life. Contact them by phone or email below.
wildlycrafted.co.uk info@wildlycrafted.co.uk 07725752927
