Set within the idyllic, bucolic expanse of Hertfordshire's Green Belt, the single-storey Foxglove House by England-based firm Kirkland Fraser Moor (KFM) is conceived as a ‘para 80 house’—as the architects refer to it informally. The low-lying residential design in Wiggington, Hertfordshire, integrates biophilic design principles, fostering a deep connection with nature through its conspicuous interaction with its surrounding verdant landscape.

Known for its expertise in sustainable architecture projects and context-driven design solutions, Kirkland Fraser Moor Architects crafted this four-bedroom residential architecture with a progressive, low-carbon ethos which not only fosters sustainable living but also enhances the ecological tapestry of the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)—one of the 46 designated countryside areas in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, established for conservation due to its considerable landscape value—which meant addressing stricter planning and building regulations and being meticulously site-sensitive in their interventions.

To begin with, the Foxglove House replaced a modest, existing stable block, adopting a low visual impact strategy as well as a low-slung, single-storey courtyard design layout, which is employed regularly in vernacular homes globally but not so much in the UK. KFM refers to this as a ‘doughnut’ arrangement, an enclosed sanctuary which optimises southern solar gain for north-facing rooms while shielding them from external gazes—a thoughtful response to maintaining privacy and environmental sensitivity.

“Innovative massing and orientation solutions are provided to ensure that the four-fold increased floor area for the new house would not have any additional negative impact upon the critical long views over the open sensitive Greenbelt and AONB countryside location,” the architects mention.

KFM developed a design approach focused on minimising the visual impact from long-distance views across the valley and the Ridgeway trail to the north. The Foxglove House echoes the silhouette of the previous stable block, with large overhanging eaves extending beyond the building’s perimeter, creating a dynamic play of light and shadow under the roof, reducing overheating while softening the form when seen from key viewpoints.

Topped with a grass-carpeted roof, the home’s external walls are dressed in a ‘zig-zag’ pattern, creating an additional layer of shadow in the facades’ vertical plane. As a result, the façades get divided into areas of strong shadow contrast, helping the abode blend seamlessly into the surrounding tall foliage.

One of the most distinctive features of the private residence is its external cladding made of "natural low embodied energy materials that last and weather well"—primarily pre-patinated recycled copper and waste brick sourced from facilities less than two miles away, which would otherwise be downcycled to aggregate for roads. This principle of waste reuse manifests as “a random waste brick wall configuration," an endearing visual identity for the home’s facade design, which the architects refer to as a ‘variety mix’—found knick-knacks now flush as the structure’s textured walls, becoming little habitats for birds and bees—adding to the dwelling’s charm.

As Kirkland Fraser Moor explains in the project’s description: “Natural England through numerous studies has shown that due to human development within the UK, many species of birds, bats and bees are in steady decline. The project demonstrates how contemporary architecture and landscape design can reverse this trend in a manner that is not prescriptive or compromising on design quality. The random waste brick wall configuration was highly controlled by working closely with local craftspeople to create a unique piece of biophilic architecture that simultaneously provides abundant habitable spaces for bats, swifts/swallows and bees as well as local flora.” 

Internally, the house leverages cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction, enabling off-site manufacturing that minimises on-site disruption. This technique reduced material wastage and shortened construction timelines. Natural clay plasters applied throughout the residential interiors provide breathable surfaces, adding a tactile warmth to the home’s earthy palette.

Foxglove House does more than tread lightly on the environment; it actively enriches it. A rewilding strategy was adopted for the contextual design, transforming the estate’s eastern and southern meadows into biodiversity hotspots. The planting of native wildflowers and flora serves as a magnet for insects, which in turn will attract birds and small mammals, according to KFM. They also note that bioacoustic surveys have recorded a resurgence in avian populations, including five Red List species such as the Spotted Flycatcher and Linnet.

The geometry of Foxglove House cleverly juxtaposes its external roofline with an internally rotated floor plan, angling rooms to optimise daylight influx solar gain views to the valley. “The roof and main external envelope are oriented to be set out along the same geometry as the original stable block. This however was not the best orientation for maximising daylighting, passive solar gain and views from the inside. By rotating the internal geometry by 45 degrees to that of the roof we have then been able to maximise this potential such that rooms orient out at 45 and 135 degrees to the main building orientation,” the architects explain.

This is further complemented by a solar array—mounted on both the ground and the garage roof—which meets 85 –100 per cent of the household’s energy demands, including charging two electric vehicles.

KFM’s emphasis on passive design principles is evident throughout. The overhangs help regulate interior temperatures by reducing heat gain in summer, while the expansive glazing maximises winter sunlight. The courtyard’s strategic placement also ensures minimal light pollution to neighbouring properties, underscoring the architects’ sensitivity to the site’s rural setting while addressing its building regulations.

Reflecting on the project, Kirkland Fraser Moor notes, “Architecture need not be prescriptive to achieve sustainability. By embracing craftsmanship, context and collaboration, we can create spaces that honour both people and place.”

Project Details

Name: Foxglove House (‘Para 80 House’)
Location: Wiggington, Hertfordshire, England
Typology: Private residence
Architect: Kirkland Fraser Moor
Landscape Architect: Bowles & Wyre + James Smith
Planning Consultant: Rural Solutions
Structural Engineer: Studio Allen
M&E Consultant: Aura
Quantity Surveyor: PCP Surveyors
Main Contractor: Atkins PM
Gross Floor Area: 285 sq m
Year of Completion: 2024