A contemporary Scandi-style oak frame family home in Suffolk

The architectural design of Mr and Mrs L’s contemporary home embraces the outdoors, capturing their original concept thanks to practical solutions, such as expansive openings, level thresholds, and an internal courtyard that creates a seamless connection with the outdoors.

“The exterior combines white linear bricks sourced from Randers Tegl and natural British cedar cladding, installed vertically with a small shadow gap for a more contemporary, Scandinavian look. And we opted for a GreenCoat metal standing seam roof which we absolutely love,” smiles Mrs L.

An important aspect of Mr and Mrs L’s design from the outset was the inclusion of their 'glass walls' to make the most of the countryside views and let plenty of light in.

“We really wanted to achieve an inside-outside feel but retain plenty of versatility, so it still felt cosy in the winter,” explains Mrs L.

“We incorporated six large spans of aluminium sliding and bi-fold glazing from Kloeber, and a glazed link connects the two 'arms' of our home while creating a contained courtyard that’s perfect for everyone to enjoy.”

“Mr and Mrs L’s pocket of land has an established boundary on all sides, and mature trees provide great privacy and a connection to Nature,” adds Jack Feighan from our Architectural Design Team.

Stepping inside Mr and Mrs L’s home, your eyes are immediately drawn to both the craftsmanship and colour of their bespoke oak frame.

“We covered all the oak with a lime wax, and it was one of the best decisions we made. It felt like a big risk at the time, however, it brings our home’s character to life and keeps it looking fresh and contemporary,” says Mrs L.

Another architectural design consideration that catches your attention is their 'floating' oak staircase which helps to maximise the light and open feeling Mr and Mrs L wanted to achieve while complementing their oak vision.

Arriving in their family kitchen, there’s a vast sense of space and full-height cupboards provide plenty of storage.

“Our Tom Howley kitchen has a fairly contemporary design, with a modern shaker style in a dark almost aubergine colour with knurled brass handles,” says Mrs L.

“We did worry the colour might make the kitchen feel dark because it's not a vaulted space, however, we have lots of natural light coming in through the courtyard, and we installed a glazed partition separating the kitchen from the main hallway rather than a traditional solid door to keep sunlight flowing freely throughout.”