New Build
Sustainably designed and heritage-led, this family home is tucked inside a beautiful walled garden.
Nestled within the orchard of Mt. Ephraim Estate, the Rural Faversham project is intimately connected to its historic surroundings. At its heart lies an Edwardian wall, constructed before World War I to serve the estate, alongside greenhouses that were ultimately never fully used. Today, only the wall and an accompanying potting shed remain, forming the foundation for this carefully curated home. The design pays homage to this heritage, preserving and celebrating these remnants with a contemporary architectural vision.
On Thursday 10th March 2022, Swale Borough Council’s planning committee were excited to approve this Paragraph 84 (Para 80) dwelling. The past and future of this walled garden being preserved, they remarked at never having read an officer’s report being so enthusiastic towards a proposal. It is also the first time officers at Swale have supported a Paragraph 84 (Para 80) scheme. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Paragraph 84 policy – a fitting way to mark with our 25th consent using it!
Atmosphere
Contemporary living within orchard walls
The interior design of this dwelling has been thoughtfully curated to maximize views while maintaining privacy. The living spaces are positioned at the highest point of the site, offering sweeping views of the textured orchard. As the house curves down the sloping garden, the spaces become more intimate and secluded, tucked away from view from pathways and the road, yet still captivating the orchard views.
The interior design of this dwelling has been thoughtfully curated to maximize views while maintaining privacy. The living spaces are positioned at the highest point of the site, offering sweeping views of the textured orchard. As the house curves down the sloping garden, the spaces become more intimate and secluded, tucked away from view from pathways and the road, yet still captivating the orchard views.
Sustainability
Solar Efficiency and House Performance
Innovative sustainability strategies are essential for all Paragraph 84, and Rural Faversham is no exception. A key focus of this design is maximizing solar gains to improve energy efficiency. The site’s downward sloping topography allows each garden section to capture optimal sunlight. The saw-toothed geometry of the façade ensures that the south-facing walls are glazed to maximize solar gains throughout the day, while the north-facing elevation features minimal glazing to enhance the passive solar strategy. By applying Fabric First principles, the building envelope is designed to reduce energy consumption year-round, further supported by an array of solar panels. This project has also earned a place on our SAP Centurion List, with the design stage achieving an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of “A” with a score of 100.
Landscape and Context
A Design in Rhythm with the Landscape
The garden wall drapes over the undulating orchard terrain. The house is crafted for nuanced visibility, revealing views of the orchard’s linear apple trees while nestling discreetly within the walled boundary. Access is through openings carved directly into the wall, reinforcing a sense of intimacy and connection. Private spaces leverage the protective cover of the wall, whereas the more social areas optimize sweeping views of the rolling orchard landscape. This symbiotic relationship extends to the eastern wall and the building itself, where asymmetrical cascading details follow the slope in a harmonious dialogue.
The garden wall drapes over the undulating orchard terrain. The house is crafted for nuanced visibility, revealing views of the orchard’s linear apple trees while nestling discreetly within the walled boundary. Access is through openings carved directly into the wall, reinforcing a sense of intimacy and connection. Private spaces leverage the protective cover of the wall, whereas the more social areas optimize sweeping views of the rolling orchard landscape. This symbiotic relationship extends to the eastern wall and the building itself, where asymmetrical cascading details follow the slope in a harmonious dialogue.
Materiality
Palette
The materiality and colour palette have been carefully selected to reflect the immediate context of the Mt. Ephriam site, allowing this exceptional house to blend harmoniously with its surroundings. Red brick complements the historical wall, ensuring a seamless integration between the new design and its heritage context. Brick-coloured cladding enhances the saw-toothed façade, reinforcing the connection to the existing wall’s rich hues. Meanwhile, the metal roofing has been thoughtfully designed to mimic the look of a greenhouse or potting shed from above, honouring the original function of the walled garden.
Design Considerations
Retaining Rural Faversham
A strong relationship is formed between old and new in this scheme, where contemporary interventions respect and amplify the site’s historic features. Parts of the existing site have become overgrown throughout the years, leading to some structural damage that we are committed to carefully repairing – restoring this historical wall back to its best days. This brick wall has many interesting and special architectural moments that we are exited to preserve. These include blue glazed brick headers and original timber doorways, contributing to the site’s historic character. Furthermore, tucked into the site’s northernmost corner, there is a charming brick potting shed to be retained and renovated for auxiliary accommodation.
A strong relationship is formed between old and new in this scheme, where contemporary interventions respect and amplify the site’s historic features. Parts of the existing site have become overgrown throughout the years, leading to some structural damage that we are committed to carefully repairing – restoring this historical wall back to its best days. This brick wall has many interesting and special architectural moments that we are exited to preserve. These include blue glazed brick headers and original timber doorways, contributing to the site’s historic character. Furthermore, tucked into the site’s northernmost corner, there is a charming brick potting shed to be retained and renovated for auxiliary accommodation.
Many thanks to Richard and his team. A successful Paragraph 84 (Para 80) planning application was achieved with 100% support form the planning committee.
Greg Wallis
Contemporary Design
An Origami Roof with a Sawtooth Facade
The origami roof folds and undulates to respond dynamically to its setting—appearing as pitched forms from the northern road but revealing a contemporary profile from the south. This duality expresses both tradition and innovation, firmly rooting the house within its context while asserting a clear architectural presence. The façade’s saw-toothed geometry ensures exceptional views while maintaining privacy, while overhangs maximize solar efficiency during warm summer months.
The origami roof folds and undulates to respond dynamically to its setting—appearing as pitched forms from the northern road but revealing a contemporary profile from the south. This duality expresses both tradition and innovation, firmly rooting the house within its context while asserting a clear architectural presence. The façade’s saw-toothed geometry ensures exceptional views while maintaining privacy, while overhangs maximize solar efficiency during warm summer months.
Floor Plan
The Construction
A sneak peek into how the build is going… as of the 21st August
