New Barn House

Contemporary calm, rooted in nature.

Set within the peaceful landscape of Minster on Sea, New Barn House is a striking two-storey home that reimagines traditional rural forms through a contemporary lens. With its sculptural gables, expansive glazing and carefully zoned interior, it’s a modern family home designed to invite the outside in, and offer sanctuary from the everyday.

From its very first sketch, the home was conceived as a place to unwind, to connect, and to enjoy the rhythm of coastal living. Spacious yet grounded, expressive yet understated, New Barn House offers a refined architectural response to its unique setting.

The brief

Our clients came to us with a clear ambition: to create a modern home that blended clean architectural lines with the warmth of barn-style living. The brief called for generous, open-plan spaces; a seamless flow between indoors and out; and a sense of calm that reflected the surrounding natural environment.

From early conversations, it was clear this would be a house of considered contrasts: contemporary in tone, but tactile and timeless in feel. Every decision was shaped by the desire to create a beautiful yet liveable space, perfectly suited to its owners and their lifestyle.

The design

Inspired by local vernacular forms, the home is arranged as a series of low-lying gabled volumes around a central courtyard. This strategy provided practical advantages, clear zoning of living, private and leisure spaces, while also delivering visual cohesion and clarity.

The architecture centres around openness and light. Floor-to-ceiling glazing runs throughout, framing long views and drawing natural light deep into the plan. A full-size indoor pool opens directly onto the garden, while the principal bedroom suite includes a private balcony overlooking the landscape.

Internally, the home balances elegance with warmth. A neutral palette of textures and tones, paired with subtle mid-century influences, gives the interiors a quiet sophistication that feels effortless and enduring.

Materials and detail

Materiality plays a central role in grounding the design. Natural textures and high-performance finishes create a sense of permanence and calm, while clean detailing ensures each space feels crisp and uncluttered.

Externally, the gabled forms reference traditional agricultural buildings but are expressed with a modern precision. Subtle uplighting at night picks out the home’s lines and silhouette, adding drama without intrusion.

The courtyard configuration also enhances both privacy and functionality, offering sheltered outdoor space and clear views from the core of the home.

The outcome

New Barn House is a home designed with clarity, intention and care. From the defined entrance sequence to the indoor pool and sculpted rear terrace, every element is considered: not only to look beautiful, but to feel instinctively right.

For us, this project reflects the best of contemporary rural living: peaceful, practical, and deeply personal. A place to gather, to retreat, and to feel fully at home.