Built within a centurion sweet chestnut tree, perche dans la Peche is a unique twist on green architecture and design.

The owners, couple Claire Stickland and Ivan Payonne, wanted to build something that would be in harmony with the local environment and landscape, and their tree was their answer.

“One issue we had was fitting construction plans around the branches.

The wood in itself, red cedar is perfect because it requires no treatment, in fact the less treatment the better,” says Stickland.

For isolation, the couple used Triso Aluminum and hemp and grey water in the kitchen and the shower.

“We wanted to install dry toilets but as it’s a guesthouse, we didn’t want to make it awkward for whoever was staying,” explains Stickland.

For the heating, they had no choice but go for electric as the trees leaves made solar energy an inefficient method.

In terms of the linen, its all organic cotton.

All food served is organic and locally sourced produce and the couple consume very little meat so as to not disrupt the natural balance in the regions food chain.