Replacement Farmyard Housing Project

Research informed housing for families in Cambridgeshire

Replacement Farmyard Housing Project

We were approached by a developer looking to build eight houses on the site of an old farmyard in Cambridgeshire. The intention was that young families looking to move out of the city could settle down here. Our designs for this new build housing project were inspired by vernacular architecture and informed by research carried out for Clare Nash’s book.

Although the houses use the same materials and are similar in size and proportions, each has a unique feature to define it and give the scheme a varied character. Live/work is very popular nowadays, with flexi-time on the rise. These home offices save space, positioned as they are above the garages. It also helps minimise daytime loneliness.

Due to timescale clashes the extent of CNA’s involvement was only to produce a sketch scheme, but it was a terrific chance to design collaboratively and apply some of the principles of contemporary vernacular design. For more information on the thinking behind this design please read this blog post. Materials, proportion and character.