Long Farm is a new family home in rural Suffolk, England. The house sits high among a
group of existing farm buildings, facing east across salt marshes, towards the sea.

With its long, steeply pitched form and corner chimney, it is immediately recognizable
as a Suffolk house that feels at home on the farm. Familiar building elements and materials
are carefully composed to create a sustainable house that is clearly of its time, but with
an identity that is firmly rooted in its locale.

Views of the unique natural landscape around the house, in all directions, are composed
with precision from within, and the simple linear layout of rooms tracks the sun's journey
throughout the day from dawn to dusk. Occupants are kept closely in touch with the natural
world outside, but balanced with the domestic desire for enclosure, privacy and warmth.

Vernacular references are used internally – a super-sized inglenook in the sitting room, a
generous hall and landing that almost become rooms, window sills deep enough to sit in and
a 'farmhouse kitchen' arranged around a large family table. Whitewashed brickwork, painted
timber linings and exposed ceiling beams give depth and texture to the interior of a modern home.

Long Farm has been built to last. Traditional materials have been detailed in a modern way
to produce a robust and flexible building that will weather and age well. The resulting
aesthetic, both inside and out is intended to be simple, modest and timeless.

"We selected this project because of its crafty engagement with its context, and the way it
modernises its vernacular to make a considered and contemporary scheme.
We also chose it because of its breathtakingly calm interiors ... It was an instant hit
with all judges. It feels welcoming, homely, impressive, yet not showy, considered
yet natural, new, yet established … we all wanted to live in it. It is affordable, sustainable,
modern, clever, sensible, practical and a proud bench-mark for all self-builders to follow"
Kevin McCloud, Grand Design Awards 2013

"The way this new-build engages with the local vernacular is extremely impressive.  
The architecture is understated, the execution clever, simple and considered."
Grand Designs Awards 2013 Jury: Kevin McCloud, Phil Coffey and Naomi Weaver

"Long Farm is simply outstanding in a gentle Suffolk sort of way ... A new house which is
so perfectly at home is a rare discovery" Suffolk Magazine March 2013

Completed 2012

Awards to date
Winner, Grand Designs Home of the Year 2013
RIBA Regional Award (Eastern Region) Shortlist 2013
Winner, Best Housing Development 1-5 Units, Brick Awards 2013
Winner, Best Residential Property Development 2013, Suffolk Property Awards
Winner of Winners, Best Property Development 2013, Suffolk Property Awards
Winner, Craftsmanship Award 2013, Suffolk Association of Architects

Photography by Jack Hobhouse

Construction by Robert Norman Construction
Landscape Design by Marie Clarke, Clarke Associates
Structural Design by David Cantrill, JP Chick and Partners