The Parks

  • a pioneering rural housing development in Herefordshire
  • an alternative rural typology to the isolated single home, offsetting rural loneliness and helping to nurture new communities
    The Parks breathes new life into neglected rural buildings to create a sociable housing development comprising eight new sustainable homes in a rural setting in Herefordshire.
     The project provides much needed rural housing to address increasing demand in the area as well as those turning away from city living. The Parks further develops Stolon’s ‘sociable housing’ concept to provide an alternative rural typology to the isolated single home, offsetting rural loneliness and helping to nurture new communities.
    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. Built for an ethical small developer, the project seamlessly combines old and new to create individual homes with shared, communal spaces including a barn, nature pond and meadow. 
  • As with all of Stolon’s sociable schemes, the project has been carefully designed to balance privacy, openness and community. Units...
    As with all of Stolon’s sociable schemes, the project has been carefully designed to balance privacy, openness and community. Units vary from 3- to 5-bedrooms arranged around a central courtyard space to the rear, with private gardens to the front of each dwelling.  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 Linhay, The Dairy , giving character and individuality within the ensemble.
     
    Sensitive to context and heritage, Stolon have repaired and celebrated historic features wherever possible including old elm and oak beams, existing steel plates and old fireplaces. Walls and beams have been 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 includes new electrics, plumbing, air source heat pumps, and underfloor heating to create high performance houses with...
    A deep retrofit includes new electrics, plumbing, air source heat pumps, and underfloor heating to create high performance houses with low operational costs and bills. Although some of the existing buildings were demolished to create the courtyard and shared spaces, all materials and existing buildings has been saved and re-used, including bricks, tiles, stone, timbers and historical farm equipment - an original millstone has become a landscape feature.
    The development also addresses the land contamination caused by 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.
     
    The construction process was viewed as an opportunity to contribute to the rural economy, using local materials, traditional techniques and employing local workmen, craftsmen and small family-run specialist businesses.