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 15^th and 16^th 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 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.
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