Goose AcreMarkyate, Hertfordshire
Goose Acre is conceived as a Paragraph 84-ready rural home
by Kirkland Fraser Moor, designed to meet the high bar required for new
countryside dwellings under the National Planning Policy Framework. Drawing on
KFM’s distinct approach, blending sensitivity to landscape, tradition and
ecology. Goose Acre responds to its rural setting with context-aware
form-making, careful material choices and low-impact construction. With a
design strategy that respects long-distance views, site orientation and
environmental constraints, Goose Acre aims to deliver a home of exceptional
architectural quality that harmonises with its surroundings while adhering to
the strict planning standards of Paragraph 84.
Although
the existing site is currently an open meadow it is dominated by the proximity
of electricity pylons which provide an overpowering focal point. As argued
above the intervention of a simple but exceptional piece of architecture will
provide a new quality to the local context and as such will create a more
sympathetic and harmonious visual setting for near and long views across open
countryside.
Our
proposal is comprised of a cluster of small parapet roofed building blocks varying
subtly in size and height and interconnected by a central glazed courtyard.
This strategy has been adopted in order to create a dwelling that sits
comfortably within an open building plot bounded by two existing dwellings to
the east and open countryside along the other edges. The profile of this form
is reminiscent of the typical agriculture farmsteads common to rural
Hertfordshire and this provides the inspiration from which the concept is
developed. Rather than traditional pitched roofs we have adopted flat parapet
roofing that will be fully planted with local wildflower species. The subtle
terracing effect of the planted roofs against the background landscape will
provide a less imposing volume.
Each of
the 4 building volumes encloses different aspects of the house depending on
internal layout requirements and external orientation. Each block has its own
character but each uses a simple and limited pallet of 'Chiltern' materials
such as local handmade brick and black painted timber. Depending on orientation
each has a glazed facade that allows open views from internal spaces as well as
good day-lighting and passive solar gain to assist with a low carbon winter
heating strategy.
The form makes use of extended brick walls which define
more private areas of amenity. These make reference to the long tradition of
the English garden walls that contribute to the character of our rural
landscape. The dwelling and the walls are set back from the main boundary so as
to retain a sense of openness. The sunken
and central courtyards are intended to provide household amenity for
clothes drying, children's play equipment etc without visual impact from either
the highway on the north or the open countryside.
Project Name: Goose Acre
Location: Markyate, Hertfordshire
Gross Floor Area (House): 410 m2
Value: Confidential
Environmental Rating: Ultra-low carbon
Project Period: March 2015 to 2025
Project Credits
Architect: Kirkland Fraser Moor Architects
Client: Private
Landscape Architect: Landscape Agency
Planning Consultant: Michael Osman
Ecology: MKEcology
Visualisation: Forbes Massie