architects hereford Archives

The Old Rectory | Gloucestershire

KODA architects working closely with a garden designer has developed a new walled garden proposal to this stunning grade II listed former rectory in rural Gloucestershire. The proposals celebrates the seamless fusion of historical charm and modern design in the heart of Gloucester. We are thrilled to share our latest architectural venture – the creation of a walled garden for a listed building, deeply inspired by the collaborative spirit that defines the Chelsea Flower Show.

Inspired by the collaborative and innovative projects showcased at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, our team embarked on a journey to create a walled garden that would not only honour the rich history of the 18^th Century former rectory building but also serve as a testament to our close working relationships with our clients and the garden designer.

One of the hallmarks of our project was the close working relationship we fostered with our clients. We recognized that their vision and passion for the walled garden were integral to its success. From the initial concept discussions to the final details, we listened attentively to their ideas and requirements. We were inspired by their enthusiasm for preserving the heritage of the listed building while introducing elements of contemporary design. This collaborative approach ensured that the garden seamlessly integrated with the historical setting. In addition to our clients, we had the privilege of collaborating with a talented garden designer who shared our vision for this project. Drawing inspiration from the artistic and creative displays at the Chelsea Flower Show, the garden designer played a crucial role in bringing a touch of horticultural magic to the walled garden. Their expertise in plant selection, layout, and the use of decorative elements enhanced the overall design.

We were committed to preserving the historical integrity of the listed building, which posed unique challenges. Our collaborative efforts enabled us to strike a balance between the old and the new. The use of period-appropriate materials and techniques was essential, and the garden designer worked in harmony with our architects to ensure that the garden complemented the architecture flawlessly. The end result is a walled garden that harmoniously blends history, innovation, and natural beauty. It stands as a testament to the power of close collaboration and mutual inspiration. The spirit of the Chelsea Flower Show lives on in this exquisite project.

Our Gloucester walled garden project is not just a reflection of our working partnership we share with our clients and the garden designer. Together, we've created a space that encapsulates the timeless beauty of Gloucester's history while embracing the future with open arms.

Stay tuned for more updates on our architectural endeavours.

Conversion of Dinham Hall in Ludlow

KODA architects provided full architectural services for the conversion of a Dinham Hall, a former mansion house into seven unique luxury apartments. Dinham Hall is Grade II listed and is one on Ludlows finest buildings located in the Town centre, just outside of the Castle walls.

Built in 1792, by Samuel Nash for Richard Payne Knight of Downton Castle, the building has a long and interesting history. Once a grand private Georgian home, the building was complimented by a generous garden, ice house, stables and views over Ludlow. The building remained a private house until the mid 20th Century when it was converted into a boarding school with fond memories of former pupils. Recently the building had regained an element of grandeur of its former self in use as a boutique hotel boasting fine dining, to critical acclaim.

KODA Architects submitted planning and Listed Building consent applications for the conversion, provided detail design and full contract administration through to the completion of the project. The project was finished to an extremely high standard creating unique benchmark residencies in Ludlow.

As part of former historic interventions to the property, the building had lost a significant amount of historic detailing including cornice, fireplaces and finer elements such as architraves and doors. As part of the new conversion project, the conservation team at KODA architects replicated historically accurate features to enhance the buildings significance. KODA Architects conservation team are complimented by a wider design team including agent, Fire Engineer, lift manufacturers tanking specialists, and mechanical and electrical Engineers. Part of our appointment included historic mapping of the building and a carefully detailed schedule of repairs and sympathetic interventions to the historic fabric were undertaken.

The new apartments provide unique accommodation with classic Georgian design with the modern benefit of lift access. The refurbishment of the entrance hall grand central cantilever staircase provides a great sense of theater as you enter the building. Each apartment boasts fine historic details, private parking and landscaped gardens together with long reaching views over Ludlow, countryside and of course, the adjacent grade I listed and scheduled ancient monument of Ludlow Castle.

Watch our Instagram for updates of similar projects to this throughout the RIBA stages.

New Housing in Abergavenny

KODA architects have worked closely with a large design team to include landscape designers, planning consultants, drainage and transport planners to prepare a master plan for the development of 60 low impact housing to Monmouthshire Council including landscaping and amenity spaces.

Abergavenny is a town in Monmouthshire, known for its beautiful scenery, rich history, and lively culture. Situated near the Welsh-English border and is surrounded by the Brecon Beacons National Park. The town has a rich history dating back to Roman times and is home to several historic buildings and landmarks, including Abergavenny Castle, St Mary's Priory Church, and the Market Hall.

KODA architects have been busy planning the latest housing developments in Abergavenny is the Brecon Road development, which is located on the outskirts of the town. The development offers a rang of house types including a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom homes that are suitable for both first-time buyers and families.

60 new houses on the Brecon Road development is designed to provide modern living spaces that are energy-efficient and built to a high standard. The homes come with a range of features such as open-plan living areas, en-suite bathrooms, and private gardens. The development also offers ample green spaces, parks, and playgrounds for residents to enjoy.

The new housing has been design with landscape designers and environmental consultants to achieve a low impact, and highly sustainable development promoting the health and well-being of the new residents. The layout has been designed to maximise views out towards Abergavenny’s beautiful scenery whilst the generous plots and the sites excellent connectivity encourages cycle and other sustainable travel methods.

To minimise the new buildings impact on the environment, each house has been oriented to achieve passive solar gain through the winter months, whilst a high performing fabric minimises energy consumption. Each house will benefit from solar panels and other active technologies, further reducing the impact of this new development.

The development focuses on each unit of a southern orientation to maximise solar gain in the winter month whilst carefully managing the gains in the height of the summer. Through active and passive sustainable technologies, together with a rich planting scheme, each house maximises fabric performances and reduceds heat losses. The net result is a new new housing development with generous accommodation and low environmental impact, adding a unique place to live within a stones throw away from the centre of Abergavenny.

Being sensitive to the proximity of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the setting of Abergavenny, the new housing development follows a landscape approach to the setting out of the site. Landscaping opportunities have been enhances the existing biodiversity and green infrastructure to provide a sensitive housing estate with generous plots and amenity space.

Enhanced planting, Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDs) and wild flower meadows provides a verdant urban extension to the existing settlement.

Watch our Instagram for updates of similar projects to this throughout many RIBA stages.

Class Q Barn Conversion

KODA architects working with Tomkins Thomas Planning have successfully secured planning approval for a class Q barn conversion in Herefordshire. The existing barn occupies a unique location near the Black Mountains.

The scheme reuses the original curved form of the Dutch barn roof to form a double height space with mezzanine level. Agricultural materials such as corrugated metal and industrial steel frame have been used in the walls and roof, these are complemented by the insertion of large modern slim profile aluminium windows and doors maximising the exceptional vistas.

Class Q was introduced in 2014 as a form of permitted development designed to help ease the pressure on housing in rural areas. This type of planning permission allows the change of buildings that meet certain criteria from agricultural to residential use. This can often be a creative route to a new home in open countryside which would otherwise be difficult to achieve.

There is more guidance available on Herefordshire Councils website. If you have a redundant agricultural building fulfilling the criteria that you think has the potential to be a striking home in a unique location then please get in touch.

Replacement Dwelling

KODA architects successfully secured planning approval for a replacement dwelling in the Herefordshire countryside. The new 4 bedroom home replaces a former 1970’s bungalow that did not meet the space and layout requirements of our clients family. Furthermore the building is expensive to heat and maintain and moreover costly to upgrade thermally and adapt to meet the families specific space requirements.

The proposal replaces the dated bungalow with a larger 4 bedroom, thermally efficient home meeting our clients living requirements. Local Planning Policy stipulates that a reinstated dwelling should be of a comparable scale of the replaced building. Creating a much larger home presented us with an interesting design challenge. The new home takes the form of a 'H' shaped plan with a partly hidden basement forming a south facing undercroft and courtyard hidden to the wider landscape. Whilst the new home is considerably larger than that it replaces, we worked a with the Local Planning Department in justification for the scheme and finally secured planning approval for the home our clients desired.

The main building takes a traditional form and constructed from local stone and a natural slate pitched roof. In contrast the building utilises large aluminum framed sliding doors and full height windows and furthermore the elevations are punctuated with elements vertical Cedar cladding and frameless balconies.

The layout utilises a double height height entrance hall and gallery staircase. The main ground floor living spaces are interconnected but divided by large sliding walls to create a versatile space. The basement level utilises the sloping site and extends into an undercroft and open courtyard discreetly hidden from view. Correspondingly the attached double garage and carport site below a grass roof that merges discreetly into the topography of the site.

Our client was elated with the result and equally our service, the house is currently under construction and due for completion 2023.

Sustainable self-build homes in Ludlow

KODA architects have successfully secured planning approval for 3 new sustainable self-build homes in Ludlow. The site combines an underused hidden parcel of land with part of a large formal garden within the Town. Sustainable design was at the forefront of the brief and the homes are positioned to take full advantage of the southern aspect whilst also affording views of St. Lawrence's Church.

The scheme develops an underutilised urban site to provide high quality housing utilising energy efficiency measures. They are built from highly insulated and sustainable materials. The dwellings are designed with large, glazed wall areas to the south and west elevations benefiting from passive solar gain. The first floor areas include recessed balconies featuring long roof overhangs protecting the bedrooms from excessive solar gain in the summer months. This still allows sunlight to reach the depths of rooms promoting thermal gain in the winter when the sun is lower in the sky. Internal air quality and comfort is supplemented by automated mechanical ventilation and heat recovery, MVHR.

The buildings include standing seam metal mono pitch roofs that reduce impact on the neighbouring amenity but also being orientated to the south and west present an ideal location for the arrays of photovoltaic and solar thermal panels producing heat and power for the homes. Rainwater is collected and harvested on site for re-use in the buildings and gardens.

The development resists temptation to optimise built density in preference the new high quality homes are sited within generous individual plots and will be sold to independent self-builders.

Holiday Cabins | Herefordshire

KODA Architects obtained planning permission for 7 holiday cabins in Herefordshire. The rural location offers a truly exceptional views of of Hay Bluff and the Black Mountains. The scheme includes ecological enhancements designed by the applicants, who are landscaped gardeners, which propose to restore a previous orchard and include local apple species such as Hereford Redsteak Cider and Hereford Russet. As well as supplementing new native hedgerows the ecological enhancements provide a large area of flower meadow complete with owl posts. The site makes the most of the abundance of local public rights of way for the guests to enjoy by foot and bicycle

The cabins themselves are designed to enhance the enjoyment of the area, they feature relaxing verandah, large picture windows to frame the unique vistas. Rustic materials in the walls and roof include reclaimed timber and corrugated metal cladding fitting the local context. The cabins are also built to an exceptionally high standard by the applicants son Paul, a talented Carpenter who specialises in timber frame construction.

Paul designed and built the fitted kitchens, bathrooms and furniture which make creative use of the space available. We love his work and please check out his projects on Instagram and at joypadscabins.co.uk

The planning application was unanimously supported and adheres to the principles of Herefordshire Councils Policy RA6. It sets out the conditions under which the Council will be supportive of proposals, which help to diversify the rural economy and generate employment. This includes both sustainable tourism proposals of an appropriate scale.

The cabins themselves are constructed on site in a sustainable timber frame that are highly insulated. They are generously separated and focus on the quiet enjoyment of the outdoors. Guest enjoy the covered verandahs and outdoor seating around the fire pit where they fully appreciate the unique location.

You can follow Brilley Cabins on Instagram and gives a great insight into their ethos and their promotion of sustainability and wellbeing. They have been getting exceptions reviews and feedback. We are extremely proud to have been instrumental in obtaining planning consent and enjoyed the journey to seeing them finished to such a high standard as well as being enjoyed by their guests.

New self-build low carbon home in Herefordshire

KODA Architects carried out the detail design and tendering and are currently managing the project for our clients to build them a new self-build low carbon home in Herefordshire.

The clients brief was to design and realise a home that would fulfil their needs without ever moving from their Herefordshire Village where they have formed strong connections. The site is within a Conservation Area and adjacent a Grade II Listed thatched cottage. The proposed design has a low roof and partly concealed by being sunken into the landscape which mitigates its visual impact upon the heritage asset and wider Conservation Area. Whilst the front elevation has a down played traditional design the rear features a glazed gable and a double height entrance hall and cantilevered reading gallery.

The clients brief for a highly energy efficient self-build low carbon home was at the forefront of the design. The building is fabricated from 172mm SIP panels supplied by Glosford Timber Solutions . SIPS or structural insulated panels are a highly efficient form of construction. The panels are manufactured locally by Kingspan Insulation in Pembridge, Herefordshire and cut to accurate tolerances by a CNC machine in the workshop. This is a highly efficient process that produces little waste and yields the high thermal efficiency and airtightness essential for a low carbon home.

Although large elements of south facing glazing were precluded by the planning restrictions, large south facing rooflights will flood light and provide solar gain to the double height space coupled with an array of photovoltaic panels providing electricity. Additionally the house also incorporates an air source heat pump and a rainwater harvesting system reducing demand on external resources. The external envelope is clad in locally sourced oak weather boards and a natural slate roof befitting its context.

Despite initially being hampered by restrictions due to the Covid 19 pandemic works are progressing on site with their home due for completion later this year.

Original scheme design by Alex Whibley, whilst employed at RRA Architects Ltd.

Dutch Barn Conversion in Herefordshire

KODA architects have submitted a new planning application for a Dutch Barn conversion in Herefordshire as part of the wider redevelopment of the farmstead.

At the turn of the 20th Century the Dutch Barns across the country were built from any materials which were readily available, as such they have become part of the farmyard aesthetic. Often built from telegraph poles, their purpose was to provide sheltered accommodation for hay and straw but this use later diversified to sheltering any farm equipment. With their iconic curved roof structures, they are becoming increasingly lost in favour for larger more practical structures, as such, Dutch Barns are becoming increasingly rare in Herefordshire.

The Dutch barn conversion in Herefordshire uses the rhythm of the new steel frame with punctuations within the structure to allow views out over the Herefordshire countryside.

Using the traditional Dutch Barn forms as a key element of the proposal, the design team at KODA architects expressed the barrel vaulted roof in the first floor volume. New powdercoated steel trusses take reference from the traditional Ironmongery seen in traditional Dutch Barns. To the centre of the barn is the main double height atrium with a bespoke steel staircase and feature walls which bring in the exterior cladding to the interior. The double height volume provides a sense of space and an open feel to the traditional barn aesthetic.

The internal space is maximised through a large open plan kitchen and living area with bi-folding doors leading to an external terrace. The new five bedroom dwelling has a flexible layout, ready for a busy family environment. Additional bedrooms are located on the ground floor can be used as reception rooms or bedrooms, depending on the occupants requirements. A boot room is located off the main living accommodation adjacent to a home study, allowing the building to cater for a range of families at any stage.

The exterior takes its form from the existing farm yard materials pallet with timber cladding but with a contemporary zinc cladding referencing the crinkly tin structures on the site. The long reaching interior views over the Herefordshire Countryside contrast against the sharp grey aluminium windows providing a striking intervention sitting within the Dutch Barn structure.

Complimenting the new Dutch barn house, using the same language and materials pallet, a garage and stabling block has been developed which adds the farm yards aesthetic. The Dutch barn conversion adds to KODA architects Barn Conversion Portfolio.

Watch our Instagram for updates of similar projects to this throughout many RIBA stages.

The Old Rectory | Gloucestershire

The Old Rectory | Gloucestershire

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A Country House

Conversion of Dinham Hall in Ludlow

Conversion of Dinham Hall in Ludlow

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Conservation Architects in Ludlow

New Housing in Abergavenny

New Development in Abergavenny

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Sustainable Design

New Housing in Abergavenny

Class Q Barn Conversion

planning approval for a class Q barn conversion

Project Information

What is class Q planning permission?

Replacement Dwelling

Planning approved for replacement dwelling in Herefordshire countryside

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Planning approved for new self-build home

Sustainable self-build homes in Ludlow

Planning approved for sustainable self-build homes in Ludlow

Project Information

Planning approved for sustainable self-build homes in Ludlow

Holiday Cabins | Herefordshire

Holiday Cabins in Herefordshire

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Holiday Cabins in Herefordshire

New self-build low carbon home in Herefordshire

New self-build low carbon home in Herefordshire

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Tell me more

Low Carbon Self Build Gallery

Dutch Barn Conversion in Herefordshire

Dutch Barn Conversion in Herefordshire

Project Information