As our beautiful garden Hideaways are nearing completion we caught up with Evan to learn more about the expertise that has gone into creating buildings that complement the natural environment of the woodland spa garden.  Our Hideaways will be the homes of our Finnish Sauna, Herbal Sauna, and Salt Steam Room.

Evan, tell us a little about your background. What led you into craftsmanship and building bespoke structures? 

I realised very early on that I loved making things, creating with my hands, and being outdoors and I’ve always been drawn to natural material. 

I’ve been building structures and renovating houses since 1999, starting with barn conversions before moving into extending and renovating residential homes. In 2008 I began building luxury bespoke treehouses. Throughout my career I’ve use reclaimed elements wherever I can, I love being able to give those materials a new life in something beautiful and purposeful. 

 When did you start Handmade Hideaways, and what inspired you to focus on handcrafted, nature‑led buildings? 

I founded Handmade Hideaways in 2017. At the time there weren’t many, if any, companies creating truly bespoke structures using reclaimed or natural materials. I wanted to offer something more thoughtful, more personal, and more connected to nature, so I decided to start a company delivering just that.  

How has the business evolved since those early days? 

We’ve grown from creating smaller structures to delivering larger, more elaborate, high‑end builds and our experience with a wide range of finishes and materials has expanded massively. I’ve worked across the whole building industry, from groundworks and foundations to high‑end finishes, decorating, and everything in between as we are now able to take on more complex projects. We also fully design our buildings and, in some cases, handle planning applications on behalf of our clients.   

For those who may not know your work, what types of buildings do you typically create? 

We most often build garden rooms, home gyms, offices, bars, and annexes. We also create treehouses, play structures, outdoor kitchens, and have completed several timber‑frame home extensions.   

What’s the philosophy or design approach behind a Handmade Hideaways structure? 

It always starts with the client, understanding what they need and guiding them with our expertise. We prioritise natural materials and British products and suppliers. Sustainability and locality are key principles for us. 

What makes your buildings stand out from more traditional construction? 

We are able to offer a truly bespoke service. Many firms say they’re bespoke, but often that just means you can choose whether the door goes on the left or the right. Our approach is completely tailored, every detail is designed around the project and the site.   

How did you first become involved in the Sakura Spa project at Gisborough Hall? 

It was an out of the blue email from Glenn Bland, Project Manager back in February 2025. He had seen our work and invited us to tender for this unique project.  

How do the buildings you’ve created for our thermal experiences compare to your typical projects? 

These buildings are on a much bigger scale than most of our work, although the build process itself is similar. Each structure is roughly the size of a one‑bedroom flat, and there are three of them! So, scale is the main difference.  

Is this the first time your structures have been used to house saunas and steam rooms? 

We’ve worked with saunas and steam rooms before, but never inside structures that we’ve built ourselves. This is the first time the two have come together. It is great to see our hideaways being used for so many different purposes.   

Can you walk us through the process of creating these buildings, from the initial brief to the final installation? 

We start with the concept drawings, and my first question is always “how do we achieve the desired look in a practical, buildable way?” Once I understand the intended finishes, I create the technical working drawings, everything from door and window sizes to wall and roof build‑ups, building dimensions, and internal room layouts. I spend a lot of time refining these and sharing them with the client. Once the technical drawings are signed off, we begin the construction process. We do this in our workshop and fully assemble the walls, then the roofs before they are disassembled for transportation. Once onsite they go up surprisingly quickly.      

Do you have a team of craftsmen who work with you on projects? 

Yes, including me, six craftsmen worked on this project. 

I have an experienced team of 4 that travel with me, and two at yard. We also recruited local contractors to work alongside us onsite.  

What were the biggest considerations when designing structures that needed to withstand heat, humidity, and constant use? 

The key considerations were insulation levels and controlling vapour and moisture. Getting those elements right is essential for long‑term performance.   

Were there any unique challenges or creative solutions that emerged during the build? 

The main challenge was ensuring our buildings were ready for the Anapos team who are installing the steam rooms and saunas. We worked closely with them to ensure features such as drainage and ventilation were coordinated. Communication with them has been key throughout the process.   

What craftsmanship details or materials are you most proud of in the final result? 

The detail where the metal meets the larch on the exterior roof and wall is something I’m particularly proud of, seeing how well the different materials integrate so well, it’s a beautiful finish. 

What was it like collaborating with the wider Sakura Spa project team? 

It’s been great, everyone has been really helpful and professional throughout. We have worked closely with a number of teams, Nic Tamlin the Interior Designer, Martyn from Anapos who is fitting the saunas and steam room as well as the hotels maintenance team and of course Atkinsons the groundworks contractors. 

Seeing the buildings now in place and ready to welcome guests, how does it feel? 

I’m excited for guests to experience them, and I’m hoping one day I’ll be one of them! The buildings sit so naturally in the environment, they’re incredibly inviting and make you want to explore. I’m very proud to have been part of it. 

 What do you hope guests will notice, or perhaps not notice, about the craftsmanship behind these spaces? 

I hope they notice the simple, elegant beauty of the space, and how the buildings feel as though they’ve always belonged there. The larch cladding, the clean lines, and the wide windows are all designed to sit comfortably within the woodland and countryside that surround the spa, creating something that feels rooted in its environment rather than imposed on it. 

 

Sakura Spa is opening this August – be one of the first to book