The Bide

The project was inspired by a visit to the Bauhaus Archives in Berlin, where architecture students had been challenged to design and construct Tiny Houses. This experience prompted the idea for a hands-on self-build project at a scale that could be personally crafted within the couples available skillset. Without a fixed location, the concept naturally evolved into a mobile Tiny House constructed on a flatbed trailer structure, allowing flexibility in siting and use. The completed building has since been relocated to a rural farm setting, where it now serves as a rural retreat available for holiday stays.

The design approach was shaped by the practical limitations of constructing on a flatbed tiny house trailer, requiring careful adherence to the width and height restrictions of the road network. Within these constraints, close attention was given to what is truly needed to create an inviting and comfortable space for a short stay, while using the available footprint as efficiently as possible. A mezzanine arrangement was developed to accommodate a super-king-size bed positioned above the bathroom and kitchenette, allowing the primary living area to occupy a taller one-and-a-half-storey volume. This strategy avoids any sense of confinement often associated with compact cabins, instead creating a space that feels open, generous, and deceptively spacious.

The Bide has become an integral part of a wider farm diversification initiative, supporting the long-term sustainability of a local rural enterprise while offering a distinctive holiday experience. The project received a Silver Award at the Dorset Tourism Awards and has attracted national press coverage in publications including Elle Decoration, Wallpaper, The Times, and Living Etc. High levels of airtightness and insulation ensure strong year-round occupancy, extending well into the winter months. Its success has since inspired a second cabin, The Bide Nest, completed in July 2026. The project has also served as a valuable test bed for ReFrame Studio’s exploration of CNC-based construction, informing future joinery design and contributing to the studio’s work as a Certified Wikihouse designer.

Description goes hereThe construction system The Bide was guided by the practical realities of self-build, with priority given to a construction system that aligned with the skills available while still delivering strong environmental performance. Wikihouse was selected for its intuitive assembly, lightweight structure, and high-performing thermal envelope. Natural and low-impact materials were used wherever possible, including sheep’s wool insulation, wood fibre, and recycled cellulose, supporting a healthy internal environment with reduced embodied impact.

As a low-energy building with high levels of insulation and airtightness, careful control of humidity and the supply of fresh air was essential. This was addressed through the use of a decentralised MVHR system from Partel, ensuring consistent ventilation, comfort, and indoor air quality throughout the compact interior.

The delivery of The Bide was shaped by supply chain disruption during the pandemic, requiring flexibility in sourcing and fabrication. The Wikihouse system proved particularly resilient in this context, allowing production to shift between CNC providers without affecting the integrity or accuracy of the design. Practical considerations around transport also influenced material choices, with fragile finishes such as plasterboard and tiled products avoided to reduce the risk of damage in transit. In their place, organically dyed Valchromat panels with a subtle concrete-like patina were specified, installed using secret fixings so they can be easily removed to provide future access to services while maintaining a refined interior finish.