Stolon Studio completes its latest housing project, Parks Farm in Herefordshire, transforming a group of neglected rural buildings to provide eight new sustainable homes in a beautifully landscaped setting. Originally a dairy farm, this assembly of rural timber- framed 15th and 16th century buildings had fallen into disrepair and collapse through long-term neglect. The project provides much needed, sensitively located rural housing to address increasing local demand as well as for those turning away from city living or seeking a more sustainable way of living.
At The Parks, the new homes are designed with well being and sustainability at their core. Built for an ethical small developer, Parks Farm seamlessly combines old and new to create very individual homes with private gardens and access to a private meadow.
As with all of Stolon’s housing schemes, Parks Farm has been carefully designed to balance privacy, openness, connection with nature and access to the outdoors. Homes sit comfortably alongside each other, as is traditional in a former agricultural setting. Each home enjoys a private garden, with traditional lawns and
terraces, but with wider views across open countryside as well as access to it . The homes vary from 3- to 5 bedrooms arranged around the original farmyard, just off a quiet country lane and yet within easy reach of Hereford. A variety of spatial layouts accommodate a range of housing needs from families to downsizers and the elderly. Each distinctive home retains the name of its original agricultural use such as the Farmhouse, The Grain Mill, The Winnows , giving character and individuality within the ensemble, and yet is thoroughly modern in its performance with fibre broadband and EV charging.
Sensitive to context and heritage, Stolon Studio has repaired and celebrated historic features wherever possible using new steel plates, and special steel ties to brace the old elm and oak beams, exposing and restoring the old fireplace, and exposing brick and stone where walls did not need to be insulated. Walls and beams were straightened, restored and reset rather than rebuilt.
Materials are sympathetic to the traditions of the Herefordshire countryside with a combination of red brick, tile and terracotta reflecting the reddish pink gravel of the river valley and the rich red clay soil of the local area, renowned for its food produce. Robust metal roofing reflects the agricultural heritage of the buildings. Interiors are finished in raw, untreated earthy tones and breathable clay paints. New and re-used oak elements are unified with a light clay-based stain which helps preserve the timber.
A deep retrofit promotes fossil fuel free living and includes new electrics, plumbing, air source heat pumps, and underfloor heating to create high performance houses with low operational costs and bills.
The construction process was viewed as an opportunity to contribute to the rural economy, using local materials, traditional techniques and employing local workman, craftsman and small family-run specialist businesses. Although some of the buildings were demolished to create the courtyard and shared spaces, Stolon Studio worked with a highly skilled site team to salvage historical timber, stone and bricks, and old farm equipment, using an area of the site as their own architectural salvage yard. An original millstone set in the landscape serves as a touchpoint for the development’s origins.
The development also addresses the land improvements much needed following the long term neglect of the property. Within this rural setting the landscape design has been inspired by delicate hedgerows, with native species such as cow parsley and soft white flowers which contrast with the reddish buildings. A wildflower meadow, bat habitats, new tree planting and a pond, all enhance and contribute to wildlife and biodiversity. Jessica Barker of Stolon Studio said: Parks Farm exemplifies our approach to retrofit encompassing new technology and building systems, and beautifully illustrates Jane Jacobs observation that “new ideas often need old buildings”.
