Ep 2. Forest

The World's Most Extraordinary Homes is a television series where architect Piers Taylor and property developer Caroline Quentin travel the world in search of some of the most innovative and unique homes. In season 1, episode 2, entitled Forest, the hosts visit some of the rarest and most exceptional homes in the world, all built within the confines of the forest.

The episode begins with a visit to the Tree House, located in the outskirts of South Africa. The Tree House is nestled in the canopy of a thick forest, and built entirely from local timber. This three-story home is suspended between several massive trees and features multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, and living areas. The design of the Tree House is unique, as it was built to resemble the burrows that the local animals, such as baboons and vervet monkeys, make in the trees. The Tree House is the perfect example of a sustainable home, as it doesn't require any electricity, and was built entirely by hand.

Next, the hosts visit the Bridge House, located in the forests of California, USA. The Bridge House is a unique architectural marvel, designed to sit between two massive boulders. The home's design allows the residents to enjoy scenic views of the surrounding forest. Not only is the home visually striking, but it's also environmentally friendly. The Bridge House generates all its power through the use of solar panels and features a composting toilet.

The third home featured in this episode is the Kookooning House, located in the forests of France. The Kookooning House is a modern take on the traditional treehouse. The home is made entirely of wood and is comprised of several pods suspended in the trees. Each pod connects to the other, forming a safe and functional living space. The Kookooning House is perfect for those who love nature and desire to immerse themselves in a forest surrounding.

Moving on to the fourth home, the hosts visit the Over the Edge House, located in the forest of Virginia in the USA. The Over the Edge House gets its name from its unique design, where the home juts out from the mountain, giving the illusion that the house could fall off the edge of the mountain at any moment. This cliffside home's design is innovative, featuring a cantilevered living space with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of the neighboring forest. The Over the Edge House enables its residents to feel like they are living on the edge of the world, offering a unique and thrilling experience.

The final home featured in this episode is the Helsinki Forest House, located in the forests of Finland. This home's design is unique, featuring an arrow-like shape that blends into its surroundings. The Helsinki Forest House is made almost entirely of wood and features multiple terraces, a pool, and floor-to-ceiling glass that offers uninterrupted views of the forest. The home's design and materials allow it to be extremely sustainable, with its energy needs being met almost entirely through the use of thermal heat.

The episode concludes with the hosts providing their final thoughts on each of these exceptional and unique homes featured in Forest. The World's Most Extraordinary Homes season 1, episode 2, is a thrilling and informative journey that showcases some of the most innovative homes in the world, all of which are in the heart of the forest.