Abode

The vision of the landowners, Jon and William Moen, was to create an architect inspired sustainable community. Roger Evans Associates masterplanned the development. They began the design process by superimposing street plans of Florence, Bath and other memorable historic towns onto the site map to demonstrate graphically what could be achieved on the site.

The completed masterplan included strict guidelines on design, stating that, 'pastiche and fake architectural devices will be avoided'. A pallet of materials and colours was developed by colourist Tom Porter, relating to the natural materials existing in and around the site.

The planning process took nearly a decade. It included protracted negotiations with the highways agencies regarding the single surface for roads and pavements, narrow street widths, and trees set in the middle of roads. The Moens and Roger Evans Associates worked closely with Harlow District Council and the Essex County Council officers responsible for the Essex Design Guide.

Proctor Matthews and Copthorn Homes were chosen though a competitive tender process, but the owners may use a design competition followed by developer selection, for later stages.