Wills & Kate: Dream Homes Special

With much of the nation in the grip of royal wedding fever, hungry for every titbit on the fairytale ceremony, honey­moon – and especially the dress – the question on HB&R’s lips is, after the big day, just where will the happy couple call home?

While initially it is believed that William and Kate will live on Anglesey, there has been a lot of speculation that the grand plan is to eventually reside in a new eco house being built at Harewood Park, Herefordshire — an estate belonging to Prince Charles.

Eager to uncover what might just be the UK’s most famous self-build, HB&R had a bit of a dig and found the plans for the plot (below). While we think it’s a beautiful design, we just couldn’t resist having a go ourselves, and so asked three of our favourite designers to come up with their own schemes for the plot, based on the brief of creating a green home – not too big – befitting the young royal couple, and potentially their future children.

The unique designs are printed below — we hope you will enjoy a little bit of escapism as much as we did!

The Existing Design

In a scheme created by Craig Hamilton Architects, the Classical design was “developed out of the triumphal arch motif which is repeated in the design of the surviving early 19th century stables on the site.” The planned house is to be built out of local sandstone quarried on the estate and will include a wealth of eco features. The plans have been downsized from two previous versions.

Our Designers

	Pete Tonks is director of PJT Design. With 20 years’ experience in designing one-off homes for self-builders, Pete often works closely with celebrated oak framer Oakwrights (01480 414580)
	As director of Cambridgeshire- based Mole Architects, Meredith Bowles specialises in creating original designs, often with a focus on sustainability (01353 667068)
	One of Prince Charles’ most admired designers, Stephen Mattick has a unique reputation for designing buildings in keeping with their location and setting (01223 891159)

Option One: A gothic revival country manor (Pete Tonks)

I am a big fan of Gothic Revival style and feel it would be a relevant direction for the site — there are many fine examples of Gothic country houses in the UK.

In terms of layout, I have located the kitchen to receive the morning light as well as the connecting breakfast orangery. I have positioned the dining room to the west as this is more likely to be an evening room and so can enjoy the sunset. A large sunroom is located to the south which will collect natural warmth during the day.

At first floor, the master bedroom features a private balcony. I have also proposed a large open landing area with sweeping staircase and gallery below, which will be lit from above by a series of roof lanterns.

In addition, my design includes rainwater collection, solar panels, reed bed drainage, low-energy lighting and a biomass boiler.

Our Verdict: We bet there aren’t many Gothic eco homes in the UK and think that while William and Kate wouldn’t expect to live in a home of this style, they will love the light, well laid-out plan, which externally has real prominence without being austere.

Option Two: An oriental-inspired courtyard design (Meredith Bowles)

My design is Classical, romantic and fun. It has grandeur whilst being intimate and secluded, and takes its cue from the Classical stable block next door, with colonnades and round-headed windows.

The entry courtyard is on the north side, with garages within the stable block. The ground floor layout is ordered around a central stair, with the main living spaces opening out onto the secluded courtyard. Upstairs, the bedrooms have balconies; there is also an attic room (not shown).

The lower floors are stone and brick – an extension of the stables – while the upper floors are clad in white-painted timber, with solar shutters behind the outer façade; the roof is a pale metal shingle. The house works with the sun and is sheltered from the wind.

Sitting within walled gardens, with the bedrooms raised up above cherry blossom, the house is like an oversized dovecote.

Our Verdict: We think William and Kate will love the indoors/outdoors – yet private – living arrangement. The fact that it has close links with the existing Classical stables yet is contemporary in its style makes the design perfect for the site. A true one-off.

Option three: A classical borders home (Stephen Mattick)

I assumed an ideal orientation and put the entrance to the north. The layout of rooms follows logically: dining room to the south-east, drawing room facing south, sitting room to the south-west, kitchen to the east.

Six bedrooms are arranged around an oval central hall, the stone stairs cantilevered from the wall and lit from above. The master bedroom has two dressing rooms, as the occupants may both be assumed to have very extensive wardrobes. A connecting wing provides accommodation for a nanny.

The house will be built in local sandstone with a Welsh slate roof with photovoltaic (PV) cells. A heat pump will be installed in adjoining land. There is to be underfloor heating throughout, with provision for an auxiliary boiler in the plant room. The coarse wool of hill-raised sheep is to be used for insulation.

Our Verdict: A Classical design with an eco twist. The grand hall is the house’s highlight and the room selection and layout are practical — we think William and Kate will appreciate the nursery and nanny accommodation, in anticipation of any future children.

The Result

We asked you to vote for your favourite and your response was fantastic, with hundreds of votes recieved. We’re delighted to announce that the winner was overwhelmingly Meredith Bowles’ oriental-inspired courtyard design. And it’s not hard to see why.

While the other two designs were delightful examples of period-style country manors, Meredith managed to evolve the concept of Classical architecture to new levels, designing a one-of-a-kind permanent honeymoon destination befitting the 21st century royals.