Appleacre

Appleacre Farmhouse is a Grade II listed house nestled in the picturesque Suffolk countryside. Originally a hunting lodge from the 16th century, this historic building has transformed into a spacious country home.

We successfully secured planning approval and listed building consent to deliver a modern extension that creates a courtyard garden kitchen, enhancing the character and stature of this distinguished property. Recognising the distinct stages of the property’s evolution, our approach was to honour this tradition by adding a sensitive modern extension with high-quality finishes.

This low-carbon extension blends seamlessly into the stunning grounds, adorned with wildflowers and trees. Crafted with engineered timber framing and woodfibre insulation, this eco-friendly build was constructed as a precision kit-of-parts by our excellent collaborators at Kithurst Homes. The use of engineered I-joist framing significantly reduces the amount of timber sourced from our forests.

The exterior showcases beautiful UK poplar cladding, bespoke Accoya windows and doors, and a sleek standing seam zinc fascia. We have also refreshed and thermally upgraded the existing façade with new lime render over woodfibre insulation, completing the interiors with lime plastering to achieve a timeless, breathable finish.

This project strikes a perfect balance of sustainability, craftsmanship, and respect for tradition.

At the concept design stage, as the architecture began to take form, we turned to sketching with watercolours to explore the interiors. This process allowed us to delve into materiality, layering finishes, colours, and textures, crafting an interior design that elevates and enhances the overall experience.