Stables Yard, Ravenscroft Road, London BR3

This innovative three-bedroom house between Beckenham and Crystal Palace is a fantastic example of sustainable contemporary design. Conceived by the award-winning Stolon Studio, it has an angular timber-framed form with an invitingly colourful façade and an exceptional approach to insulation, glazing and on-site energy production.



Energy Performance



The timber-framed homes that make up this scheme combine exceptional insulation and triple glazing with natural at-source energy generation through air-source heat pumps and roof-mounted solar panels. Thoughtfully positioned triple-glazed windows not only maximise natural light but also ensure privacy, while vertical brise soleil manage solar gain. Underfloor heating and an MVHR system ensure an optimal internal temperature year-round.



As a result, this home has a rare 'A' EPC rating.



The Tour



Stables Yard is on a quiet private drive, just off the leafy Ravenscroft Road in Kent House, Beckenham. A wide front boardwalk, made of 100% recyclable Ali-Deck, links the frontages of the six houses in the scheme, creating a usable space for residents.



Entry is to a bright hallway with convenient cupboards. On one side, a pocket door affords a glimpse of the living spaces beyond.



The kitchen lies at the front, with an additional door to the front walkway. Skirting the corner of the room in a horseshoe shape, dark charcoal-coloured cabinets are topped with playful Krion counters. Appliances are from Bosch. Here and throughout, the glazing is encased in salmon-pink frames - a nod to the development’s inviting profile. At the rear, the living room is lovely and bright and has glass doors to a raised rear terrace and the garden beyond.



Upstairs, the bedrooms and landing reveal an unexpected sense of volume. Skylight-studded sweeping ceilings tower overhead, while white-painted walls amplify the sense of airiness. The largest bedroom has a smart en suite shower room, while the other two rooms share a pristine, minimally detailed bathroom. There is another shower room tucked cleverly beneath the stairs.



Outdoor Space



The living room opens up to a decked terrace through two doors, overlooking a private patch of lawn. The lime oak millboard used underfoot is low-carbon in its manufacture and provides plenty of room for hosting. Below is a lawned area, with plants growing in a bed that traces around the periphery.



Residents of Stables Yard have an allocated parking space in the development, along with access to EV charging points.



The Area



There are some excellent spots in the local area, from coffee shops Shotsmiths and Carnival Roasters, the wonderful Alexandra Nurseries, and Southey Brewing Co beer shop. The centre of Beckenham is a short drive or tram/bus ride away; here, Beckenham Place Park, the largest park in south-east London, is a wonderful green oasis with wild swimming, Homestead Café for beer, pizza, and Square Mile coffee.



The Crystal Palace Triangle is less than a 10-minute bus ride, drive or cycle away, with an abundance of cafés and restaurants, including Four Boroughs, Palazzo, and The Sourcing Table. A weekly food market on Haynes Lane is a short walk away for fresh, independent produce.



Kent House station is a five-minute walk away and runs Southern services into London Victoria in around 20 minutes. Clock House is under a 10-minute walk, and Southeastern services to London Bridge and Charing Cross in 20 minutes to half an hour. The area has plenty of other connections, including the tram network, the London Overground from Penge and plenty of local bus routes towards the centre of Beckenham and Crystal Palace.



Council Tax Band: E