Wood Farm by Studio RHE
Located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Suffolk countryside (UK), the ambition of the Wood Farm project was to create a house featuring an uncompromisingly modern design of the highest sustainable standards, whcih could also be sympathetic to its surroundings.
About Wood Farm
An Architectural Symphony in Suffolk
A lime tree-lined avenue hints at the modern structures that lie behind the old brick walls. Inside, the space unfolds in a sequence, functioning as a three-room home for the couple.
Harmonizing Old and New
Aligning with the site’s original structures, the linear design rises above the floodplain, weaving old and new around a central glazed gallery. This design offers unobstructed southern views and courtyards that shelter from winds or provide summer relaxation spots.
Sustainable Living with Rustic Charm
The house blends local materials like Suffolk brick (handmade) and terracotta tiles with modern elements like laminated timber and oversized glass. Each room boasts a unique roofline, with oak lining in main areas creating warm, rustic volumes.
The eco-friendly design includes under-floor heating powered by solar panels and a heat recovery system, all managed centrally. With its renewable energy setup, the house stays off-grid, relying on advanced solar panels and heat pumps.
Efficient wood stoves complement the system, backing up the sophisticated heat recovery. External blinds and internal rollers control heat and glare, while a fresh water well and a black water treatment system ensure water sustainability.
Intelligent energy management is streamlined through a Loxone mini-server with remote monitoring. Even local wildlife finds a haven here, with incorporated nests for owls, swallows, and bat boxes.
Lastly, the swimming pool, filled by a natural spring, is topped with an insulating solar cover, making the most of renewable energy.
Photography by Dirk Linder
Visit Studio RHE
- by Matt Watts
