Black Barn

Dallinghoo, Suffolk

Black Barn is a contemporary family home set within the Suffolk countryside, designed as a modern interpretation of the traditional East Anglian agricultural barn. Planning permission was granted under Paragraph 84 of the National Planning Policy Framework, a policy that allows exceptional, architecturally innovative homes to be built in the open countryside.

The building appears as a simple, elongated barn form rising from the landscape. Its upper structure is clad in charred Western Red Cedar, creating a distinctive black exterior that references historic agricultural buildings, while the lower level is constructed from flint, grounding the house within the region's geological character. This recessed flint base allows the timber form above to appear as if it floats lightly over the landscape.

Inside, the main living space is defined by a series of exposed Douglas Fir scissor trusses that rise dramatically towards a large glazed gable overlooking the surrounding countryside. This double-height space creates a strong visual connection with the landscape while allowing natural light to flood the interior.

Environmental performance was central to the design. The highly insulated building envelope, combined with passive solar principles and careful orientation, ensures a stable internal environment and low energy demand. The result is a striking yet restrained house that reinterprets a familiar rural building type through contemporary design and sustainable construction.

Architects: Studio Bark, London