A contemporary sanctuary rooted in Kent’s natural beauty
Set amidst the rural landscape of Kent within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the design of The Mole House has a discreet presence enhanced by the screening provided by trees, while the natural materials and colour palette allow the home to blend into its surroundings. Despite its contemporary approach, the house feels inherently tied to its setting, as though it has always belonged.
Emrys Architects provided detailed design expertise for the building envelope and the feature staircase – while the client took a hands-on role, with Adrian managing much of the construction process and Amy personally completing the interiors. This partnership has resulted in a home that is not only architecturally refined but also deeply personal, reflecting the vision and dedication of its creators.
The Mole House occupies a carefully selected sliver of land just outside the Green Belt and adjacent to a conservation area. The project’s origins lie in the identification of a small, underutilised site with a disused barn. This discovery provided an opportunity to create a bold yet respectful architectural response that would embrace its rural surroundings while offering a modern family sanctuary.
Drawing inspiration from the agricultural vernacular, the home is designed as a series of three interconnected barn-like structures. This approach reflects the form and materials of local farm buildings, ensuring the home integrates seamlessly into its environment. Each of the three volumes is distinctive, yet cohesive, connected by fully glazed links that provide both physical connections and moments of transparency, allowing light to flood the interiors and offering framed views of the surrounding landscape.
The outer barns are clad in dark, black-painted horizontal timber weatherboarding, a material traditionally associated with agricultural architecture in the region. In contrast, the central barn is finished in white-painted boards, creating a visual differentiation that emphasises the individuality of each volume. The pitched roofs, clad in zinc standing seam panels, further references the regional architectural language, while offering a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional rural structures.
At the heart of construction is the use of structural insulated panels (SIPs), a highly efficient and sustainable building system. Fabricated off-site, the SIPs were brought to the site and quickly assembled, minimising on-site disruption and reducing construction waste. This method aligns with the project’s commitment to sustainability, and ensures exceptional thermal performance and airtightness.
The layout and orientation maximise the home’s engagement with the natural landscape. At the rear, expansive windows open onto sweeping views of the wildflower meadow and surrounding fields, establishing a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. This design choice enhances the living experience, allowing the family to feel immersed in the beauty of their countryside surroundings. A defining feature is its thoughtful interaction with the Green Belt and the broader landscape. While the house itself is situated outside the Green Belt, the landscaping has been designed to extend and enhance the natural environment. A wildflower meadow surrounds the property, creating a habitat for local wildlife, encouraging biodiversity. This meadow, along with the planting of additional trees, provides a natural screen that helps the house sit discreetly within its setting.
The project also involved the restoration of degraded parts of the site, including areas that had been fly-tipped or damaged by rubble. These areas have been transformed into vibrant natural landscapes, reflecting the client’s commitment to preserving and enhancing the site’s ecological value. Hardscaping has been thoughtfully limited to defined areas, such as the entrance courtyard and patio, to maintain the property’s harmony with its natural surroundings.
Internally, the glazed links create light-filled corridors that visually and physically connect the different barn structures while offering intimate views of the landscape. The interiors are simple yet elegant, with natural materials and finishes that echo the surrounding environment. The house’s rear elevation is characterised by large windows that frame the meadow and tree-lined views, providing the family with a constantly changing backdrop that shifts with the seasons. This careful interplay between architecture and nature ensures that the home feels both expansive and grounded.
Homeowner client and interior designer, Amy, explained:
Lighting was a big concern as we felt it was essential to get this right, both in look of the lights themselves and also the ambience. We both attended a lighting workshop at John Cullen and then used them as consultants to design the lighting throughout the ground floor.
We originally wanted concrete floors throughout the ground floor, inspired by a floor we saw at a London art gallery, but not wanting to it to feel too industrial we opted for Chauncey’s oak floor boards throughout the sitting room and kitchen dining room – complemented by Microcement throughout the hallway and utility areas. Chauncey does the most amazing wide oak boards (320mm) which we fell in love with, and they give a really warm modern rustic look.
For the walls, we worked with a local company Armourcoat on a new product they were just launching called Clime – a natural clay lime plaster which is colour tinted, so no need for paint! We absolutely love the natural, soft chalky look of this and have used the same colour throughout the rest of the house.”
The Mole House stands as a testament to the practice’s ability to balance innovative design with contextual sensitivity, sustainability, and the needs of its inhabitants.
Catriona Jones, Associate at Emrys Architects, added:
“The Mole House is a thoughtful response to the challenges and opportunities of its site. For us, it showcases how modern design can engage meaningfully with the natural environment, enhancing both the landscape and the living experience. By combining architectural innovation, sustainable construction, and a personal touch, we have created a home that is as beautiful as it is functional.”
Team:
Architect: Emrys Architects
Client: Amy and Adrian
Contractor & PM: Adrian
Interior Designer: Amy
Structural Engineers: Considine
Planning Consultants: Patrick Reedman
Sustainability Consultant: Martin Gill – Tophouse Assessments Ltd
Landscape Architects: Matt Hall
Lighting: John Cullen/Rako
Photographer: Alan Williams
