Southernwood Rise, Folkestone, Kent

The information we have been provided estimates build costs for this home to be in the region of £491,000. With the addition of consultant's fees the total is estimated to be in the region of £577,000. More information and full costing is available on request.

Situated in an elevated position on a leafy cul-de-sac in the wider area of Folkestone, this wonderful plot of land provides an exciting opportunity to build a home within walking distance of the Kentish seaside. Sustainability has been a core consideration of the design and is epitomised by the architect’s approach to light, space and materiality. The house is planned to unfold over 2,385 sq ft, with four bedrooms and open-plan living spaces. Full details of the current planning permission can be found here.

The Tour

Designed by the architect-owner to Passivhaus standard, the proposed home is intended to blend seamlessly and sensitively with its surrounding landscape. An exceptional attention to detail determines the material palette, while privacy will be guaranteed by a meticulously landscaped garden.

The house will be set back from the road behind a large, private parking area and a screen of mature greenery. A decisively contemporary silhouette, singular for the area, will be defined by dark, Petersen K-series waterstruck brick crowned by a pitched roof, lending a distinct texture and a sense of volume. A quiet, recessive architectural style has been favoured to gently fold into the landscape.

Entrance is planned on the upper floor via a central hallway that opens to two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. One of the bedrooms will benefit from a spacious walk-in wardrobe that stretches across almost the full width of the room, while the bathroom has been thoughtfully designed to incorporate a large walk-in shower.

A staircase will descend from the hallway to a capacious open-plan kitchen-living-dining area. Here, a fully fitted kitchen will be anchored by a central island, lending to a carefully composed sequence of spaces. The garden can be accessed here via sliding doors and down from a rear terrace, lending a wonderfully intimate connection to nature.

Two bedrooms with en suites extend on either side and frame views of the garden, with access out to private patios. The bathrooms present themselves as well-appointed, one with a shower over bath, and the other, a walk-in shower.

A separate utility room and bathroom with a walk-in shower will also sit on this floor, fully equipped and providing additional storage space.

Outdoor Space

At the rear of the house, a considered combination of dark and light Petersen K-series bricks will contrast with the façade, lending a subtle variation in colour and texture. Integration within the landscape has been prioritised: boundary trees and woodland features will be preserved, and a planting scheme based on oak, beech, birch, hazel and hawthorn has been chosen to avoid invasive species.

Shaded terraces and exposed lawned spaces have been devised with utmost care to provide a sense of repose, while planning permission has also been granted for a 38m² enclosed sauna and pool. Particular importance has been placed on planting and biodiversity preservation throughout the scheme.

The Area

This plot lies on the western side of Folkestone, within easy reach of both the coast and the town's flourishing old centre. In recent years, Folkestone has established itself as one of Kent's most coveted coastal destinations, with its independent shops, galleries and restaurants centred around the Harbour Arm and Creative Quarter. The bustling Folkestone Harbour Arm has become a focal point for food, events and sea views, while the nearby Leas promenade and Lower Leas Coastal Park provide miles of gardens, walking routes and access to the beach.

Excellent cafés and restaurants are scattered throughout the town. Local favourites include Steep Street Coffee House, Let’s Amore Sicilian Trattoria, and the British Lion pub, with parts that date back to the 15th century. Independent cafés and restaurants line Sandgate High Street, just a few minutes away.

The surrounding coastline is one of Kent's finest. Walks along the cliffs lead towards Sandgate and Hythe in one direction, or Dover's White Cliffs in the other, while nearby beaches provide opportunities for swimming, paddleboarding and sailing throughout the summer.

Folkestone Central and Folkestone West stations both provide High Speed services to London St Pancras in under an hour, while the M20 provides easy connections to wider destinations.