A Wild Spirit

Jolie Studio’s brief for The Retreat at Chester Zoo might have tripped up many a designer: devise a scheme for a series of timber lodges that is inspired by the African savannah, yet that doesn’t feel like a one-note pastiche of a safari stay that’s been beamed down to the Cheshire countryside. These are tactile, elevated interiors that could hold their own against any luxury hospitality experience – only here, there’s the added bonus of a view of giraffes going about their day.

“That was probably one of our biggest challenges – making sure it didn’t deviate into something that felt clichéd or even too young,” says the studio’s founder Franky Rousell. “Zoos are typically aimed at children, but this needed to feel like something that a couple could do on a weekend off; the brief was that they wanted it to feel appropriate for all age ranges.” That said, a sense of escapism was important, too: “We wanted it to feel embedded in the British countryside but also to transport people – to give them a little snippet of that safari experience that maybe they haven’t had the chance to live first-hand.”

Rousell takes a sensory-led approach to design, focusing on how spaces make you feel rather than how they look per se. Here, the colour palette and materials are soft and earthy (buttery yellow, green and savannah-sunset orange), but also tactile, with woven fibres, clay render on the walls, charred timber and natural stone – a wonderful example of how tactility is something the eye takes in as much as it is about physical touch. Rousell particularly loves the Clayworks render in the Welcome Lodge, made from Cornish clay to give the impression of rammed-earth structural walls: “It felt so in-keeping with the savannah aesthetic that it eventually informed the exterior architecture as well.”

The studio sourced from both British and African makers, weaving their stories into the space. Hand-woven side tables from South African brand Ilala have been incorporated, alongside rugs from the Cape Town-based Coral + Hive. Patch, a kilim-like fabric by Sister by Studio Ashby, upholsters the bar stools: the fabric may have been designed in London by Sophie Ashby, but taps into her South African childhood. Sunset-hued throws on the beds from Toast add softness and a sense of craftsmanship. “It was about leaning into amazing artisans who could shape the narrative but still feel authentic to the local landscape,” says Rousell.

In the guest lodges, everything is orientated towards the views. Beds are positioned towards the lake or giraffe habitat, while sliding glass doors dissolve the line between indoors and out. Each terrace has a copper freestanding bath, so guests can have a soak while the animals pass by a few metres away.

Throughout, the mood is calm and contemplative – an invitation to slow down. “There was definitely a need for us to deliver a sense of relaxation,” says Rousell. “The mood you want to evoke for an overnight stay generally is to make people feel safe, like they can truly switch off. Here you’re also going to get that opportunity to sit with a cup of tea and just watch an animal in its natural habitat. When we awaken the senses with small touch-points or finishes, it opens up your perception to acknowledge different things that you might not normally notice.”

Rousell describes Jolie’s approach as “full immersion,” where the feel of a rug underfoot and the smell of coffee in the morning is as important as any visual cues. The zoological society that runs the wider park is a charity, with strong conservation values, and Rousell says that she felt an imperative to make sure that the budget was spent wisely (profits from the retreat go towards international conservation endeavours), as well as putting sustainability to the fore.

“They wanted to be seen not just as a zoo, but as a competitor in the hotel marketplace,” she continues. “At the same time, everything had to deliver on real value. Our approach is experience-led and timeless, and they saw that it would bring a stronger return than something more themed or fleeting. This wasn’t a big developer client. It was [an organisation] that was incredibly passionate about serving the local community, as much as trying to entice external tourism.”