Connected to nature: three contemporary homes

Imagine a place set in woods and meadows where the boundaries between indoors and outdoors blur – think sliding glass walls and planted atriums set within a beautiful landscape: welcome to Birch Grove, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. Built on green belt land, this development of three unique properties replaces a dilapidated poultry farm. The new homes pay tribute by echoing the farm buildings including the distinctive reclaimed silos (tall structures for storing bulk materials).

Named after local woodland plants, the homes – Yarrow, Campion, and Blackthorn – embody the principles of biophilic design by connecting buildings and their occupants to nature. The huge glass windows and atriums (Yarrow and Campion) are essential elements of the designs, which all follow Feng Shui principles. Each vista looks across the surrounding countryside or up to the sky and floods the rooms with natural light.

Paul Higgs, founder of eco developer Millbank Homes, says, “Birch Grove is where discerning architectural design and nature have converged to create luxury homes with a difference. Here, the beauty of the surroundings is effortlessly woven into every element to soothe the senses and enhance the living experience. You just won't find anything like this anywhere else."

Statement front doors
Drawing on the shapes of traditional agricultural buildings, the external finishes – including black timber cladding, Flemish bond brickwork and flint – add a contemporary twist. Each home also features a  Rondo V front door in oak finished with ebony oil, plus ridged sidelites and sleek black handles. Yarrow and Campion’s doors are a standard size, while Blackthorn’s is an impressive three metres high creating the wow factor. It opens onto a grand hall with four-metre-high ceilings and a statement picture window looking over the garden. The ridged glass sidelites are on trend and offer a degree of privacy while allowing light into the hallways.

Blackthorn House

A five or six-bedroom home with three-metre-high statement front door, soaring ceilings, generous glass walls and a flexible layout, this is truly a one-of-a-kind property. 

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