Kingshill

The Challenge

The Kings Hill development, phase 3, is comprised of 132 new units ranging in scale from two-bedroomed apartments to five bedroomed houses, close to the village of West Malling, in Kent. The wider Kings Hill area is a mixed-use development of over 2,000 homes, commercial and retail space. It is situated on the site of the former RAF Kings Hill airfield, which has been developed over the last 25 years, and is noted for its rich, landscape-led design.

The Solution

A more formal, urban design, the scheme provides a departure from earlier phases of Kings Hill by adopting a more contemporary architectural language, albeit one that still fits comfortably within its context.

Extensive analysis of the conservation area in the nearby West Malling was undertaken and a contemporary interpretation of the predominantly brick Georgian architecture was proposed, with large windows and crisp minimal detailing, which was lifted and invigorated by extensive brick detailing referencing that found in the local vernacular.

The brick chosen to complement the development’s architecture was Cathedral Cream, a buff, stock thrown brick from Forterra’s Ecostock range.

The Benefits

The choice of Cathedral Cream helped to provide a contemporary architectural language that fits comfortably within its context.