As a landscape architect, Simon was inspired to build a hotel where the landscape would be the focus of design, experience, but also mission. Together with Didi, they devised a regenerative business model that goes beyond sustainability. This is an experiment. Can a hotel offer guests a high-end experience and a net positive environmental impact?
For us the answer is rewilding, a humble process of ecological conservation that allows nature to run its course. We pledge 20% of NATIVE Ballydehob’s profits to finance a local rewilding project. This means planting native trees, eradicating invasive species, and educating people about nature.
NATIVE found a home on an old dairy farm, right in the centre of Ballydehob. It was last farmed in the 1980s and left to overgrow for some 30 years. Nature is thriving with beautiful wild seeded trees including Willow, Birch, Oak, Ash, Holly, and mature Scots pine. We heard from locals that the farmhouse was once famous for late night Céilís, traditional Irish dances, a place for craic and good times.
The design was carried out by Simon’s design studio SRLA. Driven by local ecology, the masterplan was devised around existing trees and shrubs, and with a focus native species. With light-footed structures and natural materials, spaces and views have been curated for the landscape to shine.
