Set in the picturesque Kent countryside, The Beeches emerged from a collaborative vision between Laurie Abbott and Nick Hancock Design Studio (NHDS). The aim was to create a modern, low-impact home harmonising with the breathtaking natural surroundings. This project wasn’t just about building a house but about embedding sustainability into its very essence.
Laurie, a mentor and dear friend to Nick, envisioned a residence that could achieve an exceptional Level 5 rating under the government’s Code for Sustainable Homes. The design featured a sedum grass roof, high thermal capacity walls, and extensive glazing. Solar panels and a ground-source heat pump worked in unison to minimize the carbon footprint, ensuring the home remained energy-efficient and comfortable year-round. The house’s careful positioning captured stunning countryside views while shielding it from harsh winds, blending aesthetics with functionality.
Prefabrication was pivotal in the project, allowing the team to assemble the house on-site with minimal disruption. This approach guaranteed a high-quality finish and respected the area’s natural beauty and character, preserving the rural landscape. Unfortunately, despite securing planning permission, the site changed ownership before construction began.
The new client had different spatial requirements and a solid commitment to sustainability, leading to the development of Medlars—a Passive House design situated adjacent to the forest within the same site. While Medlars was not a collaborative project with Laurie, it preserved the sustainable principles integral to The Beeches, ensuring the vision of creating energy-efficient architecture continued.
Laurie Abbott stands as one of the greatest designers of his generation, championing simple, elegant, and sustainable architecture throughout his career. His profound understanding of design has inspired countless architects, including Nick, who learned much from their time together at RRP. Their shared commitment to sustainable architecture fuels a vision for a future where design and nature coexist harmoniously, exemplified by both The Beeches and Medlars.
