A part refurbishment, part new build house for a private client in a small village in Suffolk. This project was designed by LTS Architects whilst Lineworks director Robert Haworth was employed at this studio. Robert was the Associate Director overseeing the project from early design stage, through planning and into detail design. Lineworks were retained as site architects during part of the build to assist with the coordination of the packages, manage the project delivery and assist with the detail interfaces.

Arranged around an internal courtyard, the house takes its design cues heavily from the local farmstead vernacular, making use of exposed timber rafters and introducing large openings which take advantage of the sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

The long elevation which faces the open grasslands shows the simple diagrammatic organisation of the house. A grey aluminium vaulted volume sits above a red brick base. Bedrooms line the top floor and the principal living spaces sit within the base.

A fair faced concrete spine wall holds a cantilevering ‘grand staircase’ which runs in two directions up from the main corridor. One stair goes directly to the master suite, whilst the other leads up to the guest rooms. The volume generous ceiling height is deliberately dropped in the living space to create a more intimate setting to relax in the evenings, complete with log burner and a contemporary take on the inglenook.

A classic palette of oak, stainless steel and concrete is used throughout the house. The kitchen sits beneath the butterfly roof which rises up to the east to address the uninterrupted view across the countryside.