After a two-year process, Three Rivers Council has granted planning permission for a scheme of two detached houses designed by TAS Architects, and in collaboration with Base Developments. The inventive, low-energy homes are set within the Hertfordshire greenbelt that surrounds the village of Kings Langley.

This is the second scheme that TAS Architects has worked on with Base Developments. The developer is also behind our RIBA award-winning scheme Woodside Mews, which is also located in Hertfordshire.

The new houses will replace an existing unoccupied 1950s bungalow. The sloping site in Kings Langley provided an opportunity to create an interesting stepped design. The houses will be two storey at the front, facing the street, and three storeys at the back to provide fantastic views looking south across the woods. By setting one home back from the front of the site and following the ridge height of neighbouring houses, the street will retain its consistent frontage.

Both homes will provide plenty of space including an additional study in the loft on the south side. When the floors step down, a sunken green roof will allow them to blend into the landscape of the Hertfordshire greenbelt. The houses will have rear south-facing gardens and by including a shared courtyard at the front, TAS Architects’ aim is to create a sense of community between the two houses, while providing privacy.

The TAS team spent time assessing the materiality of the area, which might be considered diverse with no clear distinct style. However, the team selected colour tones that respond to the existing palette of surrounding houses to deliver a contextual response to the streetscape. This includes the use of both timber and light brick, with suitable window proportions and a gable front.

At the moment, the site has dense foliage of mixed value. The development will enhance the biodiversity of the site by both retaining foliage and adding new locally prevalent and pollinator friendly species.