Five acres of happiness

Five Acre Barn is a hotel located in Aldringham, Leiston, Suffolk, located on a large piece of land, between the trees, yet just off the main road.

The name of the place describes the site perfectly – after years of living and working in London, the owners, Bruce Badrock and David Woodbine bought an old barn with five acres of land to start a new chapter of their lives in the countryside.

Their choice fell on the Suffolk county, a picturesque, vibrant area just two hours drive from London, a popular weekend escape.

The new volume is a complex variation on the theme of a gable roof.

A cost-efficient timber frame construction, clad in raw shingles, is slightly lower than the barn.

The connection between the old and new part, called by Greg Blee "a bridge" – as opposed to a building – thanks to its dark colour melts with the surroundings.

It does not stand out as a third part of the ensemble. The same windows in dark grey are used both in the new and the old wing. Wooden shingles on the facades and the roof accentuate the modern and sculptural appearance of the extension.