Importance of the vernacular in proposed village development

Influence Environmental have submitted full plans to Rushcliffe Borough Council for two new residential dwellings, associated landscaping and access and a new footway in south Nottinghamshire.

The proposed dwellings take their cue from the size and mass of neighbouring properties, with proposed proximate eaves and ridge heights being of a similar height, and the building stepping up from there.

The mass of the new properties are further broken down by presenting the road-facing facades as a group of gable ends. These features give depth and articulation to the buildings. As they are of an asymmetric design, with varying ridge heights, they give a softer, more organic feel to the facades.

Design Considerations

The local vernacular of the village is a soft orange/ red brick. Several of the existing houses incorporate first floor dentil and raised brick bands and/ or dogtooth eaves. The proposals incorporate simplified versions of these details, creating a feeling of cohesion with the older properties. Whilst the details help to articulate the new elevations, their simplicity prevents them from becoming a pastiche of the local architecture.

Tall chimneys and finials on the roofs are a cleaner interpretation of the vernacular of several of the older buildings of the existing village and help break up the roofline.

The client is keen to incorporate energy saving features including photovoltaic panel systems and an air source heat pump. Hardstanding is generally permeable and rain water harvesting is incorporated.

The proposed footway increases connectivity of the proposed buildings with surrounding bridleways, public transport links, existing properties and the existing village centre.

As far as possible, existing vegetation is to be retained to the site, therefore maintaining green connectivity and bio-diversity. Where access and roadside visibility means that existing vegetation has to be removed, the planting is more than replicated in the proposed landscaping scheme, with new native trees and hedgerows proposed. Further enhancement includes a wildflower meadow and woodland understory planting to an existing small oak copse.