House
and
Artist's Studio,
Suffolk
A new single bedroomed house and painter's studio. With an ecological brief for a stand alone piece of land surrounded by agriculture we designed a small L shaped plan with traditional Suffolk proportions.


Simple open plan ground floor for daytime studio work contrasts with upper floor relaxation space and bedroom. An internal corner round brick tower accommodates entrance lobby and bathroom, spaces which could otherwise disrupt the complete rectangles of the primary spaces.

Exacting dimensions of north light and views to the pond with highly controllable south light is the primary concern of the studio area whilst views across the open barley fields is primary for the lounge. A conservatory provides a suntrap and pre heat zone on the south side.

A timber frame structure with 200mm wall insulation and 300mm roof insulation in cellulose fibre. External walls clad with locally harvested untreated larch. The roof clad with reclaimed clay tiles. Rainwater stored in existing underground dumb-wells.

Wood burning stoves provide most of the space heating required for the building. Construction commenced June 2001.

The build is being managed by the Client, using local trades. The interior is still under construction.