“ It’s about
time that architecture for large imposing houses in the country looked forward for its design references, not backwards.”
Dornbracht shower and bathware; worktops in RosaZaric marble and Nero de Ormea stone; specialist joinery. The outdoor is a dream: an all-weather tennis court, of course, formal and semiformal landscaped gardens, a helicopter landing pad... Unquestionably though, the estate is remarkable for its equestrian facilities, including an indoor riding ménage (previously used for training by Team GB dressage Olympic medal winners in
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2008), stabling with 10 boxes, grooms’ quarters, tack room and hard standing, direct access to bridle path affording connection to two high goal polo pitches at Gadsbury Farm owned by Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the Thai owner of Leicester City F.C. The environmental credentials of the property are no less impressive – in fact, the functional heart of the house look like a ship’s engine room. The house has the latest touch screen-operated whole house control system, and a highly
sustainable design, with environmental energy provision from ground source heat and cooling and whole house heat recovery system. Harford Manor is a unique property and at the same time typical of the type of project Quada invests in and develops. The commonality – and ingenuity – is in sourcing off market sites that have an inherent value because of their location and size, and in creating homes that are modern, functional, sustainable and jawdroppingly spectacular. ■
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