Farm Cottage
Suffolk, UK
The brief was to strengthen the connection to the landscape and make the most of the hilltop setting of the house and sweeping countryside views, while also connecting the cottage to the annex and creating a distinct entrance to the property. We developed a strategy that retained much of the existing garage footprint and extended the front gable to cover a curved glass link between the cottage and annex, while the roof overhang — or nokishita— creates a sheltered entrance.
Within the annex, functional rooms such as a utility and shower room sit at the centre of the plan, borrowing light from a window-lit corridor that runs the length of the building, overlooking the garden. A new summer room at the rear opens to the landscape, with a glazed corner, framing views across the garden and beyond. The annex is vaulted throughout, with exposed douglas fir rafters, pine sarking boards and lime plaster giving the interiors a warm, natural character.
Externally, the annex is overclad in charred larch and dark brick, giving it a distinct identity from the cottage. A photovoltaic array and an air source heat pump allow both buildings to run on renewable energy. The annex is constructed from monolithic clay block walls with integrated insulation as part of a holistic approach to sustainability, contributing to an improved EPC rating of B.
Within the cottage, the refurbishment opened up a series of small rooms and narrow corridors, with additional insulation further improving the building’s thermal performance. Relocating the staircase created a triple aspect kitchen diner and a principal suite where views can be enjoyed from every window, fulfilling the client’s ambition to reconnect their home with the landscape.
Credits:
Main Contractor - Cutts Cousins
Structural Engineer - AH Structural Design
Renewables Contractor - Greenfuture Energy
Kitchen & Joinery - Knights Country Kitchens
