Within a Suffolk farmyard complex, the Manor Farm Barn embraces its revival as a holiday home, a modern iteration of its former 17th-century farmhouse structure.
Designed principally for groups of friends or family gatherings rather than for full-time family living, Mole Architects created an open layout perfectly suited for social occasions. Foregoing the usual placement of private and public spaces, four bedrooms were assigned to the ground floor, while the upper floor unfolds as one big space that leads off into separate areas for socializing: an east terrace overlooking a point, and a west terrace just off the main living area. Double-height ceilings with exposed wooden beams add to the sense of spaciousness and emphasize the barn’s original character.
In a nod to sustainability, the renovation incorporates wood fibre insulation for energy efficiency and a roof lined with photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, making this historic structure well-equipped for the future.
Photography © Nick Guttridge / Rachael Smith