Moonstone
Moonstone, a Contemporary Stone Home in the Heart of the New Forest.
Nestled in the tranquil beauty of the New Forest, Moonstone is a crafted family home designed as a contemporary sanctuary for clients relocating from London. The house offers an organic, low-impact retreat built with breathable materials and a reassuring sense of permanence, protective and enduring. After being married in the nearby historic Palace House and Abbey, our clients wished to reference this after finding their dream site in the vicinity. This low-embodied carbon home is anchored into the site using coursed locally sourced stone and creating a timeless connection to the forest landscape.
Moonstone is a statement in sustainable design achieving operational energy of 33 kWh/m²·yr and embodied carbon of 113 kgCO₂e/m² (A1–A5)—figures that surpass UK Building Regulations and align with LETI and RIBA 2030 targets.
Project Info
- Location: New Forest National Park, Hampshire
- Cost: £4 Million
- Designation: National Park
- Collaborators: Webb Yates, MESH,
Ground Floor Area: 350 sqm
Features : Natural Purbeck Stone walls, Natural Swimming Pool, Private Gym, Cinema room & Bar
Environmental Data
-
Energy Efficiency
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-
Insulation
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-
Thermal Mass
1 2 3 4
-
Airtightness
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-
Solar PV
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-
Embodied Carbon
1 2 3 4
- Heating/Hot Water
-
Solar Thermal
Yes No
-
Rain Water Harvest
Yes No
- Ventilation
-
Energy Storage
Yes No
Designing within the New Forest National park demanded a sensitive response, consideration of tree protection, landscape character and habitats. Planning policy layered constraints but planning permission was secured through engagement and rigorous documentation, it was an achievement the case officer described as balancing “innovation with local distinctiveness”.
This is all part of the journey and as described by the clients “their passion and detailed knowledge of planning in The New Forest means we are able to turn our sight of a forest home into a reality. They have fulfilled every aspect of our brief with depth of thought and creativity in helping to bring our vision to life”.
Design Details That Matter
Working with Webb Yates engineers a decisive carbon choice was made to hang the local Purbeck stone from the timber frame, halving emissions in comparison to masonry. This is paired with a Ground floor of coursed, tumbled blocks. Mitred corners read as solid with windows recessed creating shadow and depth.
With this approach to sustainable Engineering with Webb Yates Engineers, Moonstone is designed to meet RIBA Climate Challenge 2025–2030 targets. Every stage underwent rigorous embodied carbon calculations, ensuring informed decisions and minimizing environmental impact.
Why Choose Stone?
At PAD Studio, we believe in blending heritage and innovation. Our passion lies in pairing historic techniques and traditional craftsmanship with modern design solutions. This philosophy is shared by our partners, including Albion Stone, a stonemasonry company with over 100 years of expertise. Their commitment to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2025—without relying on carbon offsetting—aligns perfectly with our sustainability goals.
Inspired by the textured materiality and soft hues of Palace House and local stone walls, we chose stone as the primary building material for Moonstone. The design concept reflects the drama of a quarry: two main volumes of the house are split apart, revealing a striking double-height glass atrium that frames views of the garden and forest beyond. A 7-metre-high guillotine sash window floods the space with evening light, creating a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors.
A Home That Celebrates Craft, Sustainability, and Place
The sequence of stone, deck, water and wildflower meadow dissolving into woodland was envisioned from the first sketches. A bronzed staircase with curved glass panels adds quiet drama to the hall, with bronzed details woven throughout the home.
Bedroom windows are recessed to create private terraces and reduce solar gain, while the atrium and garden terrace invite natural light and forest views into daily life. Moonstone is more than a house—it’s a statement of responsible design, local craftsmanship, and architectural beauty. By working with stone, we honor tradition while embracing the future of sustainable living.
“Moonstone is a love letter to craft and conscience: a home that belongs to its place, whispers of its history, and quietly champions a low carbon future.”
- Wendy Perring. PAD studio
