She Built It Almost From Scratch
Emma didn't start out as an expert builder. Much of what she knows came from experimenting, making mistakes and figuring things out along the way. Over time, she learned how to work with natural materials and developed her own approach to creating small structures in the woods.
The home sits on a wooden platform, with sturdy timber supporting walls made from straw bales. Those walls are covered with natural plaster, giving the interior a warm, earthy appearance. There was one major challenge, though. Natural plaster doesn't like getting soaked by rain. So Emma designed the roof with an unusually large overhang. It extends far beyond the walls, helping protect them from the wet Welsh weather.
The roof itself also blends naturally into the landscape, making the little home feel as though it belongs among the surrounding trees. Inside, the design is just as unusual. Rather than trying to squeeze everything found in a conventional house into the tiny space, Emma decided that almost every object needed to serve a purpose. There simply wasn't room for anything unnecessary.