Magpie Farm is a development of five contemporary four and five-bedroom homes located on a former agricultural courtyard site in Appledore, Kent.
The scheme transforms a redundant rural site into a carefully composed residential setting, drawing inspiration from the scale, form and arrangement of traditional farm buildings while delivering a distinctly modern architectural response.
The architecture is defined by a series of simple barn inspired volumes with steeply pitched roofs, expressed through a restrained palette of pale brickwork, natural timber cladding and dark metal detailing. Large areas of glazing are integrated within the façades to maximise daylight and establish strong visual connections to the surrounding landscape, while carefully proportioned openings create a balance between solidity and transparency.
A disciplined approach to form, materiality and detailing underpins the design. Internally, generous open-plan living spaces are arranged around double-height entrance halls, feature staircases and large glazed openings that draw natural light deep into the homes. The architecture is shaped to create bright, flexible interiors with strong connections to the surrounding countryside, resulting in homes that combine contemporary living with a robust and enduring architectural character.
