The Newt In Somerset – Garden Cafe

RIBA SOUTH WEST AWARDS 2022 – SHORTLISTED

The Garden Café is central to the garden experience of The Newt in Somerset, it sits at the margin between mature woodland and the gardens overlooking the historic parabola walled garden with its contemporary apple maze.

The location within the trees has led to the building having a light touch to the ground and visually it is designed as a series of delicate horizontal surfaces set against the verticality of the trees beyond.

The Café as a frameless glass enclosure and balconies to fully enjoy views across the gardens and landscape beyond. The service wing containing kitchens and washroom facilities is clad in quartered green oak pales which accentuate shadow and light across the façade and have gently weathered into the texture of the woodland beyond.

The building is heated using underfloor heating and ventilated using energy heat recovered from the kitchen extract systems.