New Build in Kent: From Derelict Barn To High-End Residential Dwelling

Lodge Farm, A Future New Build In Kent

We designed a modern, sustainable new build with traditional elements to be erected at Lodge Farm in Marden, Kent.Our client, a private landowner, wanted to sell Lodge Farm, in Marden, along with a new build design package. They were looking for a modern and sustainable design that would fit Marden's rural setting.To fulfil the brief, we designed a high-end home with a striking contemporary barn-style aesthetic to replace a disused agricultural structure in Kent. The scheme features a unique plan that maximises sunlight and combines modern and traditional materials, offering a visually interesting building with a bright interior.

Lodge Farm is a rectangular plot of land located at the edge of the history-rich village of Marden in the borough of Maidstone. Even though there are several nationally and locally listed buildings nearby, the site isn’t within a conservation area. Moreover, the existing barn on the plot has no historical or architectural significance. 

The structure has fallen into disrepair, becoming un-inhabitable and diminishing the area's charm. For these reasons, demolishing it is in the community’s interest.

The Brief

The client wanted to sell the land with a design package for a new high-end residential dwelling. They had an established relationship with James Clague Architects and were familiar with our extensive experience and portfolio, so they chose us to complete the project.

The owner asked us to create a sustainable home with an exceptional design using high-quality materials and details with minimal visual impact from the street. The dwelling would need to look contemporary with traditional materials. 

Planning permission to demolish the existing barn and erect a detached four-bedroom dwelling had already been granted by Maidstone Borough Council in 2020. This also covered improvements to landscaping, the addition of a biodiversity enhancement area, and the upgrading of the public footpath that traverses the site's northern boundary.

As the permission had expired, we were tasked with creating a new scheme.

The Design

The previous scheme included a tall but slender structure with rather small open living spaces and cellular rooms. To satisfy the client’s requirements, we designed a dwelling that is lower, so it’s not visible from the street, but larger, so it provides additional floor area.

Our plan features a dwelling with a traditional, barn-inspired form and a modern twist. Every level and element is of different heights, making the structure visually attractive.

To maximise solar gains and increase living space, we changed the orientation of the previous design to face South-West. This also allowed us to create a grander, more impressive entrance.

We positioned glazing and openings to provide maximum privacy from neighbouring properties and create a strong connection with the garden. 

The Layout

The proposed dwelling is composed of the following:

• An entrance hall 
• An open-plan living room
• A kitchen and breakfast room
• An office
• Up to four bedrooms, one of which features an en-suite shower room and dressing room
• Three bathrooms, including one wet room
• A utility room
• A plant area to accommodate the installation of green energy system equipment.

The dwelling provides enough living space for a family to live in.

To maximise the performance of the materials that make up the building’s fabric and improve sustainability, we placed most of the bedrooms and living spaces at the rear of the house.

The Materials

The materials we specified for the build include:

• Zinc cladding
• Maidstone ragstone
• Triple glazing. 

We chose zinc cladding because of its weatherproof and corrosion-resistant properties. With its natural patina protecting it from moisture and UV degradation, the covering will last for many decades.

Adding Maidstone ragstone was key to including a traditional element to the building’s aesthetic. The natural stone will help this new build blend with its rural site and surroundings.

We created a contrast between the metal and ragstone throughout the building to create visual interest and draw attention to the building’s different levels and heights.

Finally, the triple glazing allows plenty of natural light to enter the building, reduces heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, and provides ventilation, keeping the temperature of the building comfortable year-round.

The Sustainable Energy Systems

Sustainability is a key element of the design. Our recommendations go above and beyond the requirements set in the recent changes to Building Regulations. 

The scheme allows for the addition of:

• Air source heat pumps 
• Next-generation hydronic boilers (boilers that warm your home using hot water)
• Solar panels on the roofscape
• Electric underfloor heating
• Mechanical ventilation
• Up to 3 Electric Vehicle charging points.

If most of these systems are installed, the structure will make for an exceptionally energy-efficient home that costs little to heat and power.

The Biodiversity Area And Landscaping

Because this property is a custom build consisting of a single unit, the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements don’t apply. However, the area around the proposed structure is large, and including a biodiversity area contributed to improving the previous scheme. 

We specified that the area be positioned at the back of the property, far from the driveway. Our recommendations include retaining the existing trees and vegetation to respect the current ecology of the site.

We devised planting native species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers to enhance the land’s ecology. To attract wildlife, we specified adding log piles for hedgehogs and bird boxes. 

Thanks to the planned landscaping around the property - which includes hedgerows and a close board fenceline around the boundary - the occupants will enjoy privacy from the neighbours and the road.

Finally, our recommendations for improvements to the public footpath that traverses the site's northern boundary include installing benches and laying mulch chipping on the ground.

Bringing the New Build to Life

The project hasn’t been completed yet. The land and design package are currently for sale, and many interested parties are exploring the build cost.

The design has been approved by the local planning committee, who were really happy with it. They felt the new scheme, albeit slightly larger, was a betterment of the previous one, as it features a more discreet building that isn’t visible from the road.

Bringing the new build to life will likely be a smooth process, as the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) encourages the erection of custom and self-built houses, as they are usually built to be more sustainable than larger developments.

Whoever completes the scheme will own an exceptional new build in Kent with beautiful views to open orchard land. The dwelling will seamlessly integrate within its countryside setting while providing a family or couple with aesthetically pleasing, modern, and sustainable accommodation. 

If you’re interested in this property, James Clague Architects can assist you by providing technical and engineering drawings via our sister company, BSF Structural & Civil Engineers, and recommending an assigned contractor. We can also make changes to the design as long as they align with the current planning permission. 

Contact us via this form or call on 01227 649 073.