Sitting in the exposed expanse of the Cambridgeshire fens, the Stealth Barn is a bold, simple form, reminiscent of the barn it accompanies. Built as a guest house, studio or meeting place, depending on time of year and workloads: the Stealth Barn is also a retreat, a place of inspiration and enjoyment.

Placed perpendicular to the existing barn, it stands to create and define a slightly more sheltered and casual garden which melts into the fens, a hint at the memory of a former farm yard. Stealth Barn is a sharp black mass – a shadow of the adjacent barn or a silhouette on the horizon. It is a robust exterior wrapped with a restricted palette, devoid of fussy detail, and formed to withstand its exposed position.

The interior inverts this toughness through the use o warmer OSB wrapping fully around the space to form angles reminiscent of the adjacent barns divided with straw bales. It creates an immersive interior landscape.

The Stealth Barn was shortlisted for the Architect’s Journal Small Projects 2012.

Photography by Damian Russell, Tim Crocker and Jeremy Phillips

Interview with Winy Maas, architect

Balancing Barn is situated on a beautiful site by a small lake in the English countryside near Thorington in Suffolk. The Barn responds through its architecture and engineering to the site condition and natural setting. The traditional barn shape and reflective metal sheeting take their references from the local building vernacular. In this sense the Balancing Barn aims to live up to its educational goal in re-evaluating the countryside and making modern architecture accessible. Additionally, it is both a restful and exciting holiday home. Furnished to a high standard of comfort and elegance, set in a quintessentially English landscape, it engages its temporary inhabitants in an experience.

Approaching along the 300 meter driveway, Balancing Barn looks like a small, two-person house. It is only when visitors reach the end of the track that they suddenly experience the full length of the volume and the cantilever. The Barn is 30 meters long, with a 15 meters cantilever over a slope, plunging the house headlong into nature. The reason for this spectacular setting is the linear experience of nature. As the site slopes, and the landscape with it, the visitor experiences nature first at ground level and ultimately at tree height. The linear structure provides the stage for a changing outdoor experience.

At the midpoint the Barn starts to cantilever over the descending slope, a balancing act made possible by the rigid structure of the building, resulting in 50% of the barn being in free space. The structure balances on a central concrete core, with the section that sits on the ground constructed from heavier materials than the cantilevered section. The long sides of the structure are well concealed by trees, offering privacy inside and around the Barn.

The exterior is covered in reflective metal sheeting, which, like the pitched roof, takes its references from the local building vernacular and reflects the surrounding nature and changing seasons.

The interior scheme traces the transition from earth to sky as one walks from the earthbound entrance of the Barn towards the ‘levitating†end of the building, where the floor to ceiling window offers an uninterrupted view of the clouds and sky. Walls and floors are decorated with sampled elements of paintings by Suffolk artists John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough. The classic images gradually evolve into abstract angular colour patches, they become images reminiscent of modern art and they take on a more applied form as wall panelling. The house can accommodate two or eight people equally comfortably, feeling neither empty nor crowded, thanks to customisable furniture and fittings, mostly by Dutch designers. The clear cut Dutch furnishings and primary colours, the simple ‘butt joinery’ used in the construction of the designs by Studio Makkink & Bey all celebrate the elementary design idiom that is characteristic for Dutch design.

The addition of a fireplace makes it possible to experience all four elements on a rainy day. Full height sliding windows and roof lights throughout the house ensure continuous views of, access to and connectivity with nature.

The interior is based on two main objectives:

• The house is an archetypical two-person home, expanded in shape and content so that it can equally comfortably accommodate eight. Two will not feel lost in the space, and a group of eight will not feel too cramped.
• A neutral, timeless timber is the backdrop for the interior, in which Studio Makkink & Bey have created a range of furnishings that reflect the design concept of the Barn.

The rooms are themed. Partly pixilated and enlarged cloud studies by John Constable and country scenes by Thomas Gainsborough are used as connecting elements between the past and contemporary Britain, as carpets, wall papers and mounted textile wall-elements.

The crockery is made up of a set of English classics for two, and a modern series for a further six guests, making an endless series of combinations possible and adding the character of a private residence to the home.

The Barn is highly insulated, ventilated by a heat recovery system, warmed by a ground source heat pump, resulting in a high energy efficient building.

What makes people so attracted to barns? To be honest I am not sure if everyone feels this way but every time I see a restored barn transformed into a beautiful home I really feel inspired by the natural beauty and architecture.

Itâ€s no different with this outstanding space. New York-based architect Russell Groves did a tremendous job preserving the existing structure and bringing modernity to it as well. He knew how to use the height of the barn to create even more interest with dramatic Capiz-shell globe chandeliers and with gorgeous furniture, many from his own collection. The result is a rustic, yet glamorous and comfortable, setting for the whole family to enjoy.

Ready to get inspired?

Natural Beauty

This entryway feels warm yet itâ€s very minimal.

Home

Gorgeous architecture and interiors.

Warm Feeling

This place has a mixture of very clean lines and soft furniture. I really like how well it works together.

Modern

Very interesting choice of furnishings but what really gets my attention is the rope around this wood beam.

Comfort

Iâ€ve mentioned before that every house should have a quiet spot. This is a perfect spot to have “me” time.

Kitchen

I love the simplicity of this kitchen and I think itâ€s perfect for a space like this. The countertops along the walls are zinc, while the island is topped with Caesarstone.

Dining

This table blends perfectly with these gorgeous floors.

Rest

I like that the furniture is simple because what really matters here are those beautiful beams.

Rustic Spa

This is a gorgeous bathroom and I love all the natural elements found here, including the slate flooring.

Guest House

This beautiful and elegant guest house echoes the main elements of the main house.

via Home Bunch – An Interior Design & Luxury Homes Blog

One of the main features in the home is this multifunctional structure that holds the kitchen, storage, library and the stairs to the second level. Although I’m digging the minimalist and sharp look of this home, I would have to add a few more comfy pieces of furniture where to lounge and relax (my must-do weekend activity) in order to make it my dream retreat.

via The Designer Pad

In this universe, the chaise longue “LC4 Pony” from Le Corbusier seems tiny next to the huge Anglepoise lamp from the 1970’s!

In the words of Candice de Saint Saveur, the owner:

I wanted it to be open and practical. When we left our apartment in Paris, a kitchen without walls was my dream! The playful side of the loft appeals to our kids, of course, but also visitors … I started to organize cooking classes and tasting by inviting renowned chefs and sommeliers. The table-turned-worktop, covered with gray tiles, is always a but messy, full with dishes out of the oven, to taste new recipes …

via Home decorating trends