A Contemporary Vernacular
Old Park, Lamberhurst, Kent
Threefold Architects were commissioned by a private client to design this new house to replace an existing derelict bungalow.
The site is located in the very sensitive Kent green belt and sits within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The design was carefully considered with this in mind and resulted in an approach centered around creating a highly contextual proposal incorporating the particular needs of the client as well as an exemplary piece of contemporary design that reinterprets the local vernacular to sit comfortably within its context.
The house is comprised of two main elements with large vaulted pegtile roofs inspired by the quirky Oast House vernacular particular to the Kent countryside. Internally, the building profile creates dramatic double height and mezzanine spaces lit by a linear rooflight that runs continuously along the ridge. The two forms are linked by a glass walkway and entrance hall that opens out onto a courtyard and frames views of the pond and woodland garden beyond.
This house is also a cutting edge piece of environmental design that employs sustainable materials and innovative energy-saving technologies to harvest and store rainwater, harness warmth from the ground and energy from the sun to provide heating and hot water. It also uses the wind for natural ventilation and passive cooling.