The Orchard
A new self-build residential project in Devon, located within the prestigious English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark.
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Project type: Self-build home
Property: New build
Date: 2023 - ongoing
Status: Construction
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Structural: Airey and Coles
Civils: Airey and Coles
MEP: EcoNexus
Contractor: Armada Properties
Visualisation: Of Light Studio
The Orchard is a self-build family home set within Ilsham Valley in Torquay, Devon. The site neighbours Kents Cavern—Britain’s Oldest Home—and sits within the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, surrounded by ancient coastline and rare geological formations.
The project draws on both the geological history of the site and the architectural character of Torquay. The material palette combines locally sourced limestone — with its deep ties to the area's prehistoric landscape — with the red brick language of the town’s Victorian architecture. This synthesis creates a dialogue between natural history and built heritage, grounding the new home in its unique setting.
Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, the design is influenced by regional examples such as Coleton Fishacre and Torquay’s own heritage, including Lutyens’s Drum Inn. Natural materials—locally sourced stone, timber construction, and low-carbon insulation—have been chosen to create a tactile, enduring home with a light footprint.
Large windows and carefully shaped roof forms provide privacy while maximising views and daylight. Internally, the plan centres around a generous living hall, kitchen, and dining space, with accessibility and flexibility built in to suit changing needs over time.
Sustainability is embedded throughout the project. Natural, low embodied carbon materials are paired with air source heat pumps, triple glazing, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. The surrounding landscape is designed to enhance biodiversity and celebrate native planting.
