WHISTLER’S LODGE

Common Ground Workshop, Paragraph 84 architects in Kent, in collaboration with Forward Studio, has submitted a Paragraph 84 planning application for a new three-bedroom family home in Ash, Kent, designed to meet certified Passivhaus standards.

The project brief called for an exceptional architectural response on a relatively modest 500 sqm rural plot. The result is a design that seeks to set a new benchmark for sustainable and contextually sensitive development in the Kent countryside.

The proposal enhances the site through a fully integrated approach to sustainability, biodiversity, and design quality, culminating in a certified Passivhaus that embodies the principles of net-zero living. Every element of the form, materiality, and orientation has been carefully shaped in response to the site’s constraints and opportunities — optimising performance while drawing from the language of local agricultural buildings and contemporary rural dwellings.

The scheme includes an extensive range of biodiversity measures, such as native planting, green roofs, and wildlife habitats. Locally sourced natural materials are used throughout to minimise embodied carbon. These elements are not simply add-ons, but integral to a holistic design strategy that fuses innovation with contextual sensitivity.

A measurable 11% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has been achieved on the site — despite BNG not being a planning requirement here — showcasing how small-scale rural development can deliver meaningful ecological benefit. Features include:

• 62m of new native hedgerow
• 82 sqm of enhanced planting
• 78 sqm of green garden
• 72 sqm of green roof
• 4 new native trees
• A rainwater bio-swale

The home will also incorporate renewable technologies such as photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting, and an air source heat pump, all contributing to its ultra-low energy profile.

The design has been reviewed by the South East Design Review Panel (DRP), with the team responding rigorously to feedback.

By showcasing the full potential of sustainable architectural design, the project intends to serve as a model for future rural developments, demonstrating that exceptional, low-carbon housing is achievable even in small-scale settings.

Designed in Collaboration with Forward Studio