Open Air Business August/September 2018

GLAMPSITES
SUPPLIER PROFILE
Plain Huts
We talk to designer Cath Caesar about her
contemporary take on the classic shepherd’s hut,
designing for maximum space and light, and her
new off-grid offering
Plain Huts
www.plainhuts.co.uk
cathcaesar@talktalk.net
07903 313922
WHAT DO YOU DO?
We design and make contemporary
shepherd’s huts and shepherd’s hut
kits. The huts provide the perfect
accommodation for those looking for
a vacation with character and modern
convenience.
WHY DO YOU DO IT SO WELL?
Here at Plain Huts we love tradition but
also love good design. We have kept all
that is good about the shepherd’s hut,
investing in casting our own cast iron
wheels and using the traditional curved
corrugated iron roof, for example; while
improving on other areas that really do
not ‘cut the mustard’ in today’s society,
such as letting in more light, and creating
more space.
PLEASE GIVE US A POTTED COMPANY
HISTORY
I founded Plain Huts in 2012 having been
inspired by the old shepherd’s huts on a
nearby farmer’s land. I had
been developing my own property using
galvanised steel and cedar, and the idea
of updating an old traditional design
with these materials was born. Over six
years the company has grown steadily,
supplying kits, glamping units and
bespoke huts.
DESCRIBE YOUR BRAND PROPOSITION
We aim to design modern contemporary
spaces that work well for the customer. In
the case of our glamping huts we provide
a space that is comfortable to stay in and
encourages guests to use the hut as a
base for their holiday. We pride ourselves
on considering carefully how the space
will be used and designing accordingly.
HERO PRODUCT
For the glamping market the Romney is
the most popular size. It is 5m long and
2.4m wide. This gives enough room for
an en-suite, kitchen facilities and double
bed. It can be powered using an electric
hook up or we can fit solar panels to the
roof making it an off-grid solution.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
Our new Off-Grid hut. Last winter we
decided to build an off-grid shepherd’s
hut. The challenge was to build an off-grid
hut that incorporated all the signature
elements of a Plain Hut, the only service
allowed was a supply of cold running
water. The finished hut has achieved just
that and is, in our opinion, the perfect
balance of traditional and contemporary.
At the centre of the kitchen is a wood
burning stove with a large flat top and
an oven. On either side there are oak
worktops and storage. Above the sink is
a classic but practical plate rack and on
the other side we have incorporated a gas
hob for those times when you just need a
quick cuppa.
We really wanted to install one of our
signature en-suite wet rooms. To achieve
this we have developed a compost
toilet that is able to sit alongside the
thermostatically controlled shower.
The water for the shower is heated by
LPG. The compost toilet is simple and
convenient to set up and use. At first
glance you wouldn’t know that this is an
off-grid wet room.
On top of this there are the flexible solar
panels on the roof, the storage area at the
back, the integral blinds in the doors, and
the rain chain above the platform.
WHY SHOULD A CUSTOMER GET IN
TOUCH?
We love what we do and are keen to work
with our customers to make their ideas
into reality. Since starting our business
we have built 25 shepherd’s huts for our
customers. Because we build bespoke
our knowledge continues to grow and we
stay energised and enthusiastic. Our huts
combine craftsmanship and innovation,
and there is nothing else quite like them
on the market.
WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 63