Housestead: Rethinking Life in the Country

Designed by Sanei + Hopkins, Housestead is an experimental family home located on the grounds of a historic 400-acre estate within the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The architects set out to rethink country living by creating the ideal home for their own family through a radical but contextual reinterpretation of the traditional English farmstead.

A contextual response

Set in a grove of non-indigenous birch, the project represented an architectural and ecological opportunity; that is, to regenerate the Suffolk coastal heathland and to create a dwelling deeply integrated with the landscape.

Like a traditional farmstead, Housestead comprises several progressively smaller buildings, all of which are interconnected but separate. The result is a cruciform arrangement of four geometric volumes around a central courtyard and oriented according to the compass points, the sun path, and views. Unlike the traditional inward-facing farmyard, the composition purposefully opens outward onto the landscape while still retaining a pared-back image of a farmstead of yesteryear.

The landscape is integral to the architectural concept. Sanei and Hopkins set out to immerse the house in nature, celebrate the seasons, frame views, and maximize natural daylight. The use of natural materials, including timber, brick, and thatch, contributes to a healthy, comfortable environment.

A space for every need

Each building is functionally and symbolically distinct. The Living block features a thatched roof and large, south-facing windows that capture the winter sun and panoramic views. To the east, the Sleeping block doubles as a “habitable greenhouse,” integrating photovoltaic and solar-thermal technologies. The west Working block comprises a studio and an elevated office, creating a compact live-work module. Finally, to the north, the Utility block and arched “Moongate” entrance serve as a practical and symbolic threshold to the home.

More than just a circulation space, the central courtyard forms the nerve center of the project. The spaces between the buildings form thresholds between life indoors and the landscape. They also act as vital connectors, inviting the residents to step out into nature as an integral part of domestic life.

Housestead: Reinterpreting country living

The project features sustainable measures that promote balance and regeneration. For example, a rainwater harvesting system provides water for the garden and sanitary wastewater. Also, the planting of native holly trees contributes to preserving ecological structure while providing a refuge for wildlife. Locally sourced hay enhances the site’s genetic biodiversity. All the living areas are designed for natural cross-ventilation, promoting high indoor air quality. Optimized orientation, shading, and ventilation also improve comfort levels and energy efficiency.

The building’s construction likewise reflects a deep connection to place. The thatched roof, for example, was laid by David Rackham, a Beccles craftsman from 14 generations of master thatchers. Bricklayers, carpenters, and decorators all live within an eight kilometer radius. The Sleeping block was built using larch sourced in Essex and painted black with typical local barn paint. Inside the Living block, the sloped plywood ceiling provides soft acoustics and visual warmth, while a cozy mezzanine overlooks the large open-plan space, with the kitchen, dining area, and views over the heathland.

Amir Sanei describes Housestead:

«At once deeply personal and structurally rigorous, Housestead is not a single house but a system of belonging between generations, architectures, and landscapes. It continues the evolutionary nature of estate life, offering a new model for contemporary rural living: instinctive, generous and deeply in tune with its place.»

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