'Functional, beautifully crafted — and something genuinely unique': A sanctuary from the world in Sussex

I can’t be the only one craving the chance to switch off — or at least dial down — the economic and political noise at the moment. And for those in search of a ‘true sanctuary’, Dawsons Wood, on the edge of Ashdown Forest in Sussex, could fit the bill.

Owners Jeff Morehen, an architect, and Nela Willis, a project manager, built Dawsons Wood to be ‘a place of health, tranquillity, and authenticity’. And judging by the pictures, it appears to be just that. From the horizontal and vertical slot windows and dramatic cantilever corner window, to the timber cladding, it is an extraordinary contemporary home.

Dawsons Wood is now on the market for £2,550,000 via Hamptons.

When Nela first spotted the site, there was a tired bungalow sitting on it. But within two days, she had put in an offer to buy it.

‘We instantly saw the potential to create a home that honoured the landscape and allowed us to explore biophilic design, which simply means bringing nature into every moment of the house, whether through light, air, natural materials, or the quiet joy of framed views onto greenery,’ says Nela.

‘For us, Dawsons Wood was never just a building project — it was an opportunity to shape a way of living.’

Completed in 2020, the house is undeniably striking: clean lines, natural materials, soft colour palette, and a lot of glass.

Take the glazed cantilevered library: I bet you could curl up in one of those chairs with a good book and feel as if you were actually outside.

Nela explains: ‘Some of our favourite parts of the home are the areas that reinforce the connection with the outside, such as the library; a cantilevered section of the house that projects into the garden, under the canopy of a tree, and captures the dappled afternoon sunlight. It’s an ideal place to enjoy a book and a gin and tonic at the end of the day.’

Timber and locally-sourced sandstone have been incorporated both inside and out, creating a sense of continuity.

It’s a brave choice to have a bathroom with black walls (not to mention floor-to-ceiling glazing) but somehow, it works.

Another bold statement is the Douglas Fir staircase, which leads to a corridor that runs the length of the house.

In line with Jeff and Nela’s biophilic approach, the sitting room and kitchen have sliding doors that open out onto a terrace — and the main bedroom has a deep window seat.

Nela explains: ‘The open-plan kitchen is another part of the house where you feel very much connected to the garden. The window opening is 6m by 3m so you can see almost the entire rear garden when sitting down to eat. These small, intentional moments anchor us, offering calm, beauty and a sense of connection.’

The living space is mostly arranged on the first floor — think of it as a modern take on a bungalow.

A lot of this level is given over to the open-plan kitchen. There’s also the library, sitting room, main bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and a dressing room, as well as two further bedrooms, which share a shower room.

And at one end of the first floor, an internal annexe provides a kitchen and living room, bedroom, and shower room.

The ground floor is more functional, with a utility room, cloakroom, plant room, and garage equipped with an EV charging point.

It’s perhaps no surprise to hear that Dawsons Wood has been designed to be low-to-no carbon. Its features include a ventilation system (an MVHR unit) that draws warm air out and brings fresh air in.

Nela says: ‘It’s a real wrench to leave Dawsons Wood, but we’re hoping to find a smallholding. We have a feeling there’s one more build in us yet.’

Linda Wesson, sales director at Hamptons, adds: ‘Dawsons Wood is a beautifully considered home, set on a wonderful plot in a highly sought-after part of the country. It’s a house that feels like a true sanctuary — a place where every element has been thoughtfully crafted with care and intention.

‘One factor you can’t ignore is the use of natural materials and how the design-led details come together to create a space that feels deeply grounded. It’s both functional and beautifully crafted — and offers future owners something genuinely unique.’

Dawsons Wood is for sale via Hamptons for £2,550,000 — see more details.