The Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswolds Gloucestershire (England) is a 222 hectares land with seven lakes and three rivers and soon some 575 luxury holiday homes with leisure facilities.

Several architects were invited to create landmark houses for the estate. Featherstone Associates designed a spectacular Orchid House, a camouflaged organic structure inspired by a local wild flower, the Bee orchid. The organic form is created from laminated veneer lumbar ribs and clad with timber shingles (tiles). The camouflage pattern is burnt in to the timber.

Orchid House can be located on any lakeshore site, with the main living spaces floating over the water. Terraces, gangway and pontoon cascade from the heart of the house as that of the orchid petals.

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Architect: Sarah Featherstone.