The Grade II-listed property that Adrian and Amy Mole bought in a Kent village was in a derelict state, but from the start, the couple had a plan. "The house came with an acre or so of land and a large garage. Some of the land was inside the village curtilage and some was in the green belt," says Adrian, who is a semi-retired builder.
The couple restored and sold the house, but retained some of the land so that they could build their new home. Working with Emrys Architects, Adrian and Amy used local farm buildings as inspiration for the design of a self-build family home, which would have three sections, all connected via glazed links to allow light in and to frame views of the landscape.
"The plan included transforming the surrounding field into a meadow, ensuring the green belt character was preserved, while still giving the family the sense of a large private green space," explains Catriona Jones of Emrys Architects.
Project details
- Location Kent
- House type Detached new build
- Build route Architect, plus DIY and subcontractors
- Construction SIPS, zinc roof, basement
- Build cost £2,000sq m
- Build time January 2019 – December 2021
- Architect Emrys Architects
Getting hands-on
With years of experience in building, Adrian took the project management of their self-build in his stride. On site every day, Adrian managed a core team of two builders alongside numerous subcontractors, while also rolling up his sleeves to get hands-on – from digging out the basement to designing and fabricating the steel-framed internal doors, which he then had powder-coated by a local firm.
"I also did glasswork for refurbishments in a previous job," he explains. "You can get one-third off the price of glass when you order it directly from the manufacturer yourself, so we did that."
The basement was the longest phase of the project, yet it was something Adrian wanted to do, as it gave them 70sq m of extra space for the laundry, heat pump room and storage, as well as a studio for Amy’s clothing business. Adrian admits that it was the physicality of the job that was his biggest challenge.
Choosing the materials
Above ground, the buildings went up in just seven days, thanks to Adrian’s choice of SIPS (structural insulated panels) as the build system.
"It seemed a sensible way to go, even though it was more expensive," explains Adrian. Glazing is a significant part of this design, and the couple chose double glazing in aluminium framing.
Adrian used IQ Glass as he felt he needed specialists to supply the huge, glazed sliding doors. "In hindsight, we should have gone for triple glazing for the extra heat saving in winter."
In the glazed links between the three sections of the house, the windows are fixed, and for these, Adrian measured, ordered and fitted the glazing himself, saving, he estimates, around £30,000 of the final cost.
Other jobs Adrian tackled himself included the oak treads in a stunning staircase idea designed by Emrys Architects, and also the kitchen – although he sourced the cabinetry from Devol, he measured and fitted it himself. For the countertops, Amy selected a composite stone that looks like Carrara marble.
Going natural
When it came to the interiors, Amy was firmly in charge, choosing a neutral palette that frames the beautiful views from every window. Materials include timber, microcement, and lime-based plaster.
Not only are they sustainable choices, but they also echo the surrounding environment. One of the most significant choices was the flooring. They initially wanted concrete floors, "but after much debate, we decided to break it up with really wide wooden planks, for a warmer, less industrial feel in the living room and kitchen," says Amy. "We chose Chauncey’s oak floorboards for their warm and modern, yet still rustic, feel."
Elsewhere, microcement was used. Adrian sent one of his builders on a course to learn how to install the microcement, so they could do it themselves. A more unusual choice was a new product from Armourcoat, called Clime – a sustainable plaster made from clay and lime, mixed with marble.
Being self-coloured, it also doesn’t need painting. "We absolutely love the natural soft chalky look of this and have used the same colour throughout the house," says Adrian. "There are no pictures up, as we love the finish of the walls – second only to the views through the windows."
Lighting design was a major consideration, and Adrian and Amy both attended a workshop with a specialist lighting designer so they could get this exactly right. "We felt it was essential, both in the look of the lights themselves and also the ambience," says Adrian.
Underfloor investment
In such a contemporary home, it’s unsurprising that Adrian and Amy wanted to avoid radiators, choosing underfloor heating instead. This is a wet system, run off a ground-source heat pump.
Although more expensive than air-source and reliant on three 111m-deep bore holes, a ground-source heat pump is the more efficient of the two and so for those with ample land, it’s a great low-carbon, long-term choice to cut fuel bills.
"I was quoted £3,500 to bring in gas," says Adrian. The ground-source system cost £40,000, but I have the Renewable Heat Incentive, so over seven years we will get back £20,000."
The couple also chose to have a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system (MVHR) installed to complement the underfloor heating. "It keeps the house at a consistent 20 degrees, and we have outlets in every room," says Adrian.
The couple were able to keep costs down by going direct to the manufacturers – not only for the glass, but also for the steel used in the basement, which was manufactured locally.
The build could have been completed more quickly, but Adrian would occasionally have to take breaks from the build to work on other projects to keep their funds topped up.
Rural inspiration
The house was finished in December 2021 with the two outer buildings being clad in black-painted timber to reflect the nearby barns. The layout and orientation of the family’s home also make the most of the surrounding landscape.
At the rear, huge sliding glazed doors open out to the wildflower meadows and surrounding fields. Careful landscaping was central to the overall vision, with hard landscaping limited to just a few defined areas near the house for outside dining, socialising and parking.
As if building a stunning new home was not impressive enough, Adrian somehow achieved it all while dealing with his own medical challenges. "I needed a kidney transplant, so I would be hands-on during the day and doing dialysis at home in the evenings," he says.
But now that their home is complete, the couple and their daughter Emilia are enjoying their new modern-country lifestyle. "We love both the light and the views that we get to enjoy through all of the glazing," says Adrian. "From my office, I even have a view of a 12th-century church."
For more inspiration, take a look around this extended semi-detached home in London that's designed for flexible family living. Or, tour this converted Victorian chapel in Bristol city centre.
