Southfield Farm

Southfield Farm transformed a tired farmhouse and traditional threshing barn into an exceptional family home, combining contemporary architecture, sustainable design and sensitive rural character.

Our clients wanted more than a replacement dwelling. They envisioned a modern country retreat that would bring their family together, celebrate the surrounding landscape and provide a home designed for entertaining, relaxation and everyday living.

The Brief

The existing farmhouse no longer met the needs of modern family life, but the site offered enormous potential.

Our brief was to replace the ageing farmhouse with a bespoke contemporary home while carefully converting the existing threshing barn to create a cohesive farmstead inspired by the site's agricultural heritage.

Designed as a place where generations of family and friends could come together, the home needed generous social spaces, guest accommodation, secure storage for a significant car collection and beautiful outdoor areas that connected seamlessly with the surrounding countryside. Sustainability was also central to the brief, with the ambition of creating a highly energy-efficient home built for the future.

The Design

Our design replaces the original farmhouse with a contemporary family home linked to the restored threshing barn by a frameless glazed orangery, creating a modern interpretation of a traditional farmstead.

The layout is organised around two landscaped courtyards that define the formal gardens and create a series of sheltered outdoor living spaces. Large areas of glazing strengthen the relationship between the house and the landscape, allowing natural light to flood the interiors while framing views across the surrounding countryside.

Inside, every space has been carefully considered to balance luxury with everyday family life. A dramatic double-height entrance hall provides a welcoming arrival, while bespoke details, including a hidden revolving door leading to a temperature-controlled wine cellar, add moments of surprise and personality throughout the home.

The property also incorporates a gym, steam room, indoor swimming pool and fully integrated smart home technology, creating a contemporary home that is both highly functional and beautifully designed.

Sustainable Design

Creating an environmentally responsible home was a key aspiration from the outset.

The property was designed with an advanced low-energy specification, incorporating solar energy, a heat recovery system and intelligent building technology to improve comfort while reducing energy consumption. These carefully integrated sustainable features ensure the home performs as beautifully as it looks.

Landscape Design

The landscape was designed as an extension of the architecture.

Sheltered courtyard gardens provide spaces for outdoor dining and entertaining, complete with a pizza oven, barbecue area and covered seating overlooking the countryside.

Beyond the formal gardens, the wider landscape adopts a more natural character, with a winding approach through the site, a large lake, native planting and wildflower meadows that encourage biodiversity and create vibrant seasonal interest. A timber sleeper ha-ha maintains uninterrupted views while allowing the surrounding farmland to remain an integral part of the setting.

The Result

Southfield Farm demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design can transform a rural site into an exceptional contemporary home while respecting its agricultural heritage.

By combining a bespoke replacement dwelling with the sensitive conversion of a traditional barn, Allan Joyce Architects created a sustainable family home that balances luxury, practicality and a deep connection to its landscape. The result is a place designed for modern living, family gatherings and making memories for generations to come.