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A Stable Reborn in Rural Norfolk

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United Kingdom Issue 29 — Best of Architecture

A Stable Reborn in Rural Norfolk

Julie Carlson July 15, 2013

A ruined 19th-century stable block serves as the basis for David Kohn’s Stable Acre dwelling, with interiors that are a masterful blend of ancient and modern.

London-based David Kohn was named 2009 Young Architect of the Year by Building Design Magazine; in 2010, he won a follow-up award as One-Off House Architect of the Year for his Stable Acre House for gallery owner Stuart Shave in Norfolk. Kohn, who studied architecture at Cambridge University and at Columbia as a Fulbright Scholar, has been heading up his own practice since 2007; before that, he worked at Caruso St. John, a leading London firm. For more information, go to David Kohn Architects.

Photography courtesy of David Kohn Architects and The Modern House.

kohn used purpleheart cladding reclaimed from a thames pier on the house&#8 9 — Above: Kohn used purpleheart cladding reclaimed from a Thames pier on the house’s exterior.

shave&#8\2\17;s collection of midcentury furniture is perfectly at home in 10 — Above: Shave’s collection of midcentury furniture is perfectly at home in the open-plan living area.

an open plan dining and living room. 11 — Above: An open plan dining and living room.

a long vintage dining table and jean prouvé standard sp chair. 12 — Above: A long vintage dining table and Jean Prouvé Standard SP Chair.

polished concrete floors evoke memories of the building&#8\2\17;s origins a 13 — Above: Polished concrete floors evoke memories of the building’s origins as a utility barn.

rows of succulents create a greenhouse feel. 14 — Above: Rows of succulents create a greenhouse feel.

light floods the long concrete and wood paneled hallway. 15 — Above: Light floods the long concrete and wood paneled hallway.

simple wood cabinetry and a rustic wood table warm the otherwise stark white br 16 — Above: Simple wood cabinetry and a rustic wood table warm the otherwise stark white brick kitchen.

a farmhouse sink is inset in the wood counter; a narrow skylight brings filtere 17 — Above: A farmhouse sink is inset in the wood counter; a narrow skylight brings filtered light into the kitchen.

in the bedroom, a tasseled moroccan bedspread adds a note of whimsy in the othe 18 — Above: In the bedroom, a tasseled Moroccan bedspread adds a note of whimsy in the otherwise monastic space.

throughout the project, kohn used custom steel crittall windows and doors (see 19 — Above: Throughout the project, Kohn used custom steel Crittall windows and doors (see Walls, Windows & Floors: Steel Window and Door Fabricators).

in the bath, kohn left the plumbing exposed. 20 — Above: In the bath, Kohn left the plumbing exposed.

whitewashed wood paneling is used throughout the house. 21 — Above: Whitewashed wood paneling is used throughout the house.

a stack of freshly copped firewood and iris hantverk long handled broom. 22 — Above: A stack of freshly-copped firewood and Iris Hantverk Long Handled Broom.

heavy oak stable doors can be closed during colder weather. 23 — Above: Heavy oak stable doors can be closed during colder weather.

the doors open onto an enclosed entryway. 24 — Above: The doors open onto an enclosed entryway.

the stable acre project in late fall. 25 — Above: The Stable Acre project in late fall.

N.B. This post is an update; the original ran on November 15, 2010.

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