Suffolk, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
Powered by photovoltaic (PV) panels and micro-hydro energy, Studio Bark’s Water Farm is an off-grid home in Suffolk, designed with a bold geometric timber design, fully inspired by local timber frame buildings.
Water Farm is designed to nurture the needs of a young family of five, moving away from the city, with strong ties to the site and a desire for off-grid living.
Born out of an early study into local timber frame buildings, it soon became its own entity, a powerful man-made form that strikingly contrasts its natural surroundings.
The clients approached Studio Bark with a dream for a “home for life” on the family farm – rooted in decades of family history.
At that time they were living in Essex with their three children and seeking the quality of life that rural Suffolk could offer, whilst still being a reasonable train journey to London.
Located on the edge of Dedham Vale AONB, this Suffolk site features mature woodland and pasture, with a westward slope and a central crest.
The landscape is characterized by trees, hedgerows, and two distinctive field oaks, offering picturesque views and glimpses of the Stour Valley through clearings.
Designed to be both seen and enjoyed, the proposal takes advantage of the nearby public right of way, allowing the passersby to appreciate it as an architectural statement that enhances the scenic quality of the area.
This two-story home with a GIA of approximately 350 square meters and a separate garage/office.
The client wanted spaces to be connected and to feel open whilst maintaining some separation from one another.
The solution was a stepped ground floor arranged around a central courtyard. The courtyard provides cross ventilation and lots of natural light.
The courtyard also creates a layering of views through the house and to the landscape beyond.
Where the ground floor is expressed and zoned through the stepped ground floor slab, the first-floor rooms are characterized by the striking geometry of the roof, which gives each room a unique spatial character.
The gable ends offer the two main bedrooms expansive views across the natural surroundings.
Water Farm has been developed based on the first principles of good environmental design, aiming to be a “low tech,” but “high performance” house.
Careful position of glazing, either with overhangs or movable external shutters to provide control of solar gain in the summer.
The central courtyard provides an incredible well of light and fresh air, which twinned with high ceilings and openable windows in every aspect provides excellent daylight and natural ventilation throughout the plan.
The building sits on a heavyweight plinth with heavyweight floors, increasing thermal mass potential and thermal control, whereas the lightweight timber frame above is hyper-insulated to reduce heat loss.
Natural materials have been specified throughout, many of which have been sourced locally.
A large solar array (located on the studio roof) is twinned with high-capacity batteries and a Ground Source Heat Pump, providing much of the building’s heating and energy demand for three seasons.
Project: Water Farm House
Architects: Studio Bark
Landscape Architecture: Terra Firma
Structural Engineers: Structure Workshop
Client: Private
Photographers: Jim Stephenson
