Self Build House, Suffolk

This contemporary new home in mid-Suffolk is a replacement dwelling for an existing property. The client’s brief constituted a new four-bedroom family home, but in a contemporary style.

The property was constructed with a pre-fabricated timber frame created by a local manufacturer and erected on site, to the bespoke design. The remainder of the project was a self-build by the client, who oversaw development themselves with input from Whitworth as and when required.

The brief for a contemporary dwelling lead to the house being fully wrapped in zinc cladding. The zinc runs up the walls and over the roof, and in combination with hidden gutters and downpipes, creates a sleek form to the building. The remaining panels of construction are then clad in either brick or timber panels. To further emphasise the form of the building, these panels are set back in from the zinc to create overhangs on the gables. In turn, this has allowed us to hide the remaining rainwater goods.

The property is powered by an air source heat pump and has been insulated to a high level to minimise running costs.

Internally, there is a large, open-plan family space, a separate living room and study, an additional snug, and four bedrooms, including a master suite.

A large slot window running up the roof of the kitchen provides a unique perspective on the property.

During the planning process, the planners welcomed the use of high-quality materials and the bespoke nature of the design.