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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

JRD Kent

Architects based in West Malling specialising in Residential Design. An RIBA Chartered Practice.

29/04/2026

Project Insight Series 06.
Materials, Planning, And The Final Proposal.

By this stage, the design had moved beyond concept and into a fully considered planning proposal.

This house has evolved over time, with each phase responding to how the clients live and what they need next. The current proposal continues that story, not by competing with the existing house, but by adding something more focused, more private, and more connected to the surrounding landscape.

The planning submission needed to clarify why the proposal was suitable for this location, the thought process behind the design, the steps taken to control the impact on the landscape, and how it would maintain the openness of the Green Belt.

The application is still live and awaiting a decision.

Thank you for following the series! Let me know if you have any questions, if there are other projects you would like us to feature like this, and if you are considering a project of your own.

24/04/2026

Project Insight Series 05.
Arrival, Threshold, Separation.

The journey to the office became as important as the room itself.

A new entrance beneath the staircase creates the feeling of leaving the house behind. The glazed link begins narrow, partly concealing the space ahead, then opens as you move through it. By the time the door is fully revealed, the threshold already feels meaningful, less like stepping into an extension, more like arriving somewhere else.

Upon entering, you encounter a spacious, open vaulted area. This space remains unbroken and visually clear. As throughout the house, materiality plays a central role, with untreated timbers, brick, and stone highlighted by vibrant colours that define the room and create a sense of sophistication. Whether for work, relaxation, reflection, or intimate gatherings, it offers an immersive experience.

20/04/2026

Project Insight Series 04.
The Design Changed The Day Before.

One day before presenting the design, I started again.

The previous idea did not sit comfortably with me. It felt forced, too obvious, and as though it was working against the slope rather than with it. Reconsidering the construction method revealed a different approach, one that allowed the building to sit more naturally in the landscape and feel properly connected to the site.

This was a risk, as it was different from what I had discussed with them, but I felt confident that every aspect was now considered.

The client loved it.

14/04/2026

Project Insight Series 03.
Brief, Feasibility, Client Discussions.

Feasibility is rarely about the first idea.

At this stage, we were still working out what the clients were really drawn to. Some of their references were quite different from one another, so the important questions became, what exactly do you like here, the form, the materials, the contrast, the atmosphere? That process of discussion, review and testing is what turns a loose brief into a design direction.

I have always loved these kinds of projects. Small additions that carry significant risk. If you simply add something to the side of the house, it could look out of place and random. It might disrupt the house's balance, alter its appearance, and seem confusing. It could obstruct current views, affect the landscape, and make existing rooms redundant. With this came a challenge, and we love that!

The images shown on the mood board are not our own work but rather beautiful ideas from others.

10/04/2026

Project Insight Series 02.
The Site, The Tree, The Constraint.

Before starting any design work, the site had already guided some decisions for us.

A mature beech tree, varying levels across the garden, and a naturally worn path between the house and the stables all pointed to one conclusion: this could not be treated as a simple addition. The challenge was to create something new that would not disrupt the harmony of the house, the garden, or the landscape that already gave the property its character.

With the site a key consideration, and although we already had a lot of information on the house, having worked on it previously, we set out by carefully surveying the specific area of the site. Double-checking measurements early on is a great way to avoid any potential issues down the line.

06/04/2026

Project Insight Series 01.
Returning To A Previous Project.

Returning to a previous project is always a privilege.

Having worked with these clients several years ago, this new brief felt less like a formal first meeting and more like resuming the conversation where we had left off. We discussed how the house had worked for them, whether they would have changed anything, and what the next chapter might involve.

This time, the brief was to create a home office, not just as an extra room, but as a space that would feel entirely separate from the rest of the house.

From this, we were able to put together a project proposal outlining every stage of the project, our role, how we would approach the planning stage, and where consultant involvement may be beneficial.

We hear of projects that often start with vague emails like ‘Hello Client, here is my fee, interested?’ This can cause problems! Clear roles and expectations from the start help ensure a smooth, professional project and prevent surprises. Would you start a home project without knowing what’s happening and who’s doing what?

02/04/2026

Project Insight Series.

Good residential projects seldom occur in a single move.

Too often, social media only shows finished images. This month, I wanted to show more of the thinking behind the work.

From revisiting a previous client to site analysis, feasibility work, concept development, and planning submission, this series traces how a new home office proposal was shaped by the landscape, varying levels, planning constraints, and the desire to create a space that feels completely separate from the main house.

We will also be taking your questions along the way, giving you an idea of what is involved and things you can consider in your own project.

Upcoming:
01 Returning To A Previous Project.
02 The Site, The Tree, The Constraint.
03 Brief, Feasibility, Client Discussions.
04 The Design Changed The Day Before.
05 Arrival, Threshold, Separation.
06 Materials, Planning, And The Final Proposal.

30/03/2026

An architect-designed home should feel exceptional, every single day.
At Malt House in West Malling, the double-height entrance hall becomes a lantern at dusk, creating presence, warmth and quiet drama.

Designing a new home is an opportunity to shape how it feels, not just how it looks.

Name: Malt House
Location: West Malling
Project Type: New build
Brief: Luxury new build home inspired by rural vernacular architecture, combining traditional materials with contemporary open-plan living, a dramatic glazed gable and feature staircase, delivered using a highly insulated timber frame and locally sourced ragstone.

📸 By

24/03/2026

A real pleasure to see our Brookside Barn project in Sevenoaks featured in the March edition of InsideKent!

It is always rewarding to see a completed project published, especially one as special as this. I also now have a long list of new places to visit and dine in Kent! Thank you to for the feature.

20/03/2026

Planning approval secured for the comprehensive transformation of this detached home in Harrietsham.

Rather than adding a single extension and hoping it would solve the problem, the approach was holistic. Extensions in all four directions allow the house to be rebalanced, properly proportioned and re-planned internally, creating a coherent layout and a far stronger presence within its plot.

The design retains the central form as the focal point, with new wings carefully set back and down to maintain hierarchy. Internally, circulation has been rationalised and the ground floor reworked to support modern family life, not just additional square metres.

The final image shows the existing property. Tired, fragmented and constrained by previous additions. The approved scheme doesn’t erase its character, it reorganises it with intent.

Significant change does not have to mean overdevelopment. With the right strategy, it can mean clarity.

Name: East Street
Location: Harrietsham
Brief: Comprehensive extension and reconfiguration transforming a piecemeal dwelling into a refined contemporary family home.

Address

West Malling

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447506911494

Website

http://jrdkent.com/

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