Birch Selsdon is set within a huge 200-acre estate which is being rewilded. We wanted to bring that connection to nature, that calmness and sense of tranquillity indoors so that guests feel instantly at ease and relaxed as they transition into the hotel and throughout all areas. This was achieved through our material and colour palette which also nods to the building’s Victorian heritage.

Over the years, in its previous incarnations, Selsdon has had numerous modifications to modernise it that weren’t very sympathetic with the history of the building. We have been very mindful of the building’s Victorian heritage and its woodland location. As a studio we have always focused on repurposing and valorising architectural and design features. Restoring where possible the building’s original features and preserving to an extent its history, was always going to be a large part of the design process for us. One of the first exercises we did with the builders was to peel off the years of bad refurbs and try recover the original fabric of the building. In general, the approach to the design has been restorative with loose furniture and items complementing the existing architecture instead of overbuilding - in line with our studio values. With modernity and timelessness, the keywords, a carefully curated palette of colours, materials and décor have been woven together and animated with the work of local makers and artists.

As a studio we are known for our bespoke furniture. For Birch (Selsdon) we have utilised wood cut from the estate's rewilding programme led by Sebastian Cox to create bespoke furniture. Designed by us and crafted in Cox's UK workshop not only have we repurposed the estate's timber but in doing so, we circle back to the initial concept of connecting with nature and bringing the outside in. The designs include reception desks which have a timber shakes finish, booth seating clad in rough sawn timber and a large communal scorched timber dining table in Vervain, the all-day restaurant along with tables in The Hive co-working space and bedside tables in each of the 181 guest rooms and suites. Sustainably minded, our approach is to reduce the impact of each refurbishment by re-imagining and valorising existing features, utilising eco-friendly and recycled materials and repurposing vintage design alongside championing likeminded skilled artisans, craftspeople, and contemporary artists.

Birch’s ethos to reuse and minimise waste and consumption where possible is directly in line with our studio and is reflected in the interiors. Furniture and lighting mixes vintage designs sourced from local markets and dealers with new pieces sourced by Dodds & Shute, a design-led procurement company dedicated to sourcing the most sustainable furniture and lighting and who tracked the carbon footprint of every item procured across the estate. Using wood cut from the estate as part of its rewilding programme emphasises our studios dedication to sustainability.