The Brownie, the series of photographic cameras made by Eastman Kodak in the early 20th century, inspired Haus on the Ridge, reveals the architect and owner of this Kent house, TP Bennett principal director Doug Smith. Nestled in the green English countryside, the home, created with project architect Sam Clarke, is not only a striking family abode, but it’s also conceived according to the principles of sustainable architecture and follows strict Passivhaus standards.
‘As architects we all dream of designing and building our own home. Having taken an early interest in the Passivhaus concept, this project gave me the perfect opportunity to challenge myself and Sam, bringing together clean, minimalist, exceptional design with Passivhaus sustainability credentials,’ says Smith. His wife, Wendy, adds: ‘The Passivhaus provisions give a level of comfort to the design standard and more. The simple, predominantly open-plan living space, with its incredible interaction with the outside space and the rural setting, makes living in the house a joy.’
Kent house nods to the form of a Brownie camera
Drawing on the site’s long, natural views of a protected valley, the house has a low profile, split into three distinct elements – in the same way the Brownie is. Two more solid-looking wings flank a glazed central element that acts as the home’s ‘lens’. This opens up to amazing green vistas and hosts a generous, open-plan living space. Four bedrooms are located on either side of it.
Eco-friendly strategies include careful insulation with rockwool quilt, triple-glazed openings and an all-round airtight construction; shading that helps control interior temperatures; and mechanical ventilation with a heat recovery (MVHR) system. You wouldn’t be able to tell, though, as all technical aspects are carefully hidden within the home’s raw materiality, which is mostly composed of concrete, steel elements, lime-washed oak joinery and white plastered walls.
All of which come together seamlessly in this Brownie camera-inspired Kent house that feels entirely at home in its steeply sloping, south-facing hillside in rural England.
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