Values and Aspirations
Our inspiration for Cynefin is the wonder and joy of British landscapes – the mountains, hills, meadows, rivers and streams – and our aspiration to make this stunning Welsh-English border landscape accessible and enjoyable, year-round, whatever the weather.
Like others, we have often headed to warmer climes where living in the outdoors is more-or-less guaranteed by a stable climate. We dreamt of creating a natural, uncontrived holiday destination in the UK, for people to escape to where it remains possible to enjoy nature and an outdoor lifestyle. We were so excited when this perfect little plot of land became available and we began turning our dream to reality.
We were excited to find the Welsh word ‘Cynefin’ which essentially means ‘rooted in place’ and it felt like the perfect name to encapsulate our vision for year-round living in the landscape experiences.
Our approach to responsible tourism
Our aspiration is to be an exemplar for eco-tourism, founded on a low carbon footprint in aesthetically beautiful contemporary accommodations, providing year-round employment to local people and service providers.
To bring our dream to reality, we brought together an innovative group of local architects, craftspeople and specialist consultants, all of whom shared a common ambition to create a unique, cutting edge design with modernist aesthetics and excellent energy performance. Following this our project positively promotes and utilises the services of local suppliers found mainly in and around Hay-on-Wye.
Local timbers from Welsh forests
Following advice from Wood Knowledge Wales the luxe-pods were designed and constructed to celebrate and demonstrate the strength and quality of local softwoods in an advanced construction setting. Examples of this are the spectacular laminated larch-glulam curved framework that support these structures together with solid timber walls using Brettstapel techniques to mirror the curve of the framework resulting in a spectacular aesthetic that sits gently within the local landscape. Both cladding and decking use locally grown western red cedar from woodlands managed under a continuous cover regime. This is an uneven-aged sustainable forest management system designed to support forest resilience.
The larger luxe-lodges were also designed with advice from Wood Knowledge Wales and are a showpiece for the strength and aesthetic appeal of Douglas Fir for both exterior cladding and interior floors. Again, wood was sourced locally from sustainably managed woodlands.
Energy efficiency
Each luxe-pod is extremely energy efficient, and close to Passive Haus standard, with significant insulation together with a unique and innovative passive climate control system to manage ventilation year round.
The two storey luxe-lodges are similarly energy efficient with the added merit of solar panels for electricity supply and an air source heat pump for warm water and heating.
Responsible land management
With advice from a local ecologist the meadow and woodland have benefited from extensive planting to enrich the original landscape of mature Corsican pines and coppiced hazel to create a wildlife habitat for mammals, bats, birds, and insects. Indigenous snowdrops, primroses, and bluebells have been planted to bring additional colour and energy to the woodland walks in late winter and spring.
Sustainable lifestyle
As with many others, this is a work in progress that we aim to strengthen in the months and years ahead and commencing with the following:
Bins provided for guests to compost their raw vegetable waste, which we collect and use to feed the plants and trees.
Eco-friendly and ethical products provided for shower room, cleaning and washing.
Three fast-charging points have been commissioned for guests to recharge electric cars.
Hot tubs are heated using the waste energy from the filter motor in a system based on one motor only rather than the conventional two motor tubs.
Organic fertilisers only used on the land. Fruit from trees is available to guests when in season. Local suppliers are well documented in our Information handbooks for guests.
Electricity is from a green supplier.
