Life House

Life House has been designed by John Pawson as a place for calm and reflection. Located in mid Wales, near the town of Llanbister, it is a timeless example of architectural simplicity and beauty based on the concept of a retreat, where serenity, contemplation and restoration are foremost.

Guests enter Life House through a covered porch and arrive in the timber-lined kitchen, dining and living area. Framing the space are large picture windows overlooking the Welsh countryside, which allow light to flood in and bounce off the highly polished terrazzo floors and white-brick walls. For warmth, there is a large, freestanding wood heater. 

Each of the three bedrooms is located off the two main corridors, which lead to the contemplation areas. One is like a cavernous chamber partially buried into the hillside and with a retractable glazed roof for connection with the outside world. The other is set within the exterior landscape and with the Welsh mountains as a backdrop. 

PLEASE NOTE

Stays are only possible from Monday to Friday (4 nights) or Friday to Monday (3 nights). Weekly stays are also possible with arrival on Monday or Friday.

High-quality Egyptian cotton bedding and hypo-allergenic pillows/duvets are provided for guests, as are hand and bath towels. In the bathrooms, we have natural body products (shampoo, body gel and hand soap) from Land&Water.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided but guests should be aware that due to our remote location, the reception can be intermittent. We also have a television, a CD player and a smart speaker, plus a library of architecture, travel and philosophy books. 

In the kitchen, there are high-quality knives, cookware, crockery and cutlery designed by John Pawson, plus two cafetières for making filter coffee and a Nespresso machine. We provide filter coffee, tea bags, milk, bread and other kitchen essentials for guests to use. Also in the house are a washing machine and a dryer, plus some wood-burning logs to get guests started. 

Please note: due to the location, the internet and mobile telephone reception can be intermittent.

AMENITIES

• Internet-enabled television.
• CD player and smart speaker.
• A library of books to keep the most avid reader happy, from local travel guides, to books on architecture and philosophy
• Land&Water natural body products provided
• Luxury Egyptian cotton bed linen.
• Hypo-allergenic pillows and duvets (suitable for guests who may suffer from allergies)
• Hand and bath towels (please bring your own outdoor towels, if required)
• Hairdryers, Iron, ironing board and clothes airer.
• Fan oven, combination microwave oven, induction hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer.
• Kitchen equipment provided by David Mellor and When Objects Work, including DM kitchen knives, chopping boards, sieves and colanders, graters, whisks, tongs, cooking utensils, a range of saucepans (suitable for the induction hob), food blender, scales, mixing bowls, a rolling pin and pastry brush, glassware (tumblers, wine glasses, champagne flutes), John Pawson designed cutlery, a tea pot and mugs.
• Arrival pack (tea bags, filter coffee, biscuits, semi-skimmed milk, bread, butter, olive oil, bin bags, washing up liquid, kitchen roll, hand-wash, dishwasher tablets, foil, toilet paper)
• Two cafetières for filter coffee & Nespresso machine - please bring coffee pods to your liking.
• Wood burner and some logs to get you started (additional logs can be purchased locally)

Life House is surrounded by hills and moorland crisscrossed by public paths and bridleways, such as Offa’s Dyke Path and Glyndwr’s Way. Guests can rent bicycles from Cycling Breaks Wales to explore at their leisure or go horse riding with the team at Underhill Riding Stables. Fishing is also possible nearby. 

In Llandrindod Wells, there is the National Cycle Museum and an 18-hole golf course or players can enjoy a round at the Builth Wells Golf Club. Guests can also visit the National Trust-run Powis Castle and Garden, the Red Kite Feeding Station at Gigrin Farm and the Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre.