Real Homes: See inside a stunning self-build in Caxton

Combining striking architecture and minimalist principles, the Potts family’s new home in Caxton is a self-build success story. Ellie Senior takes a tour

Made up of two dramatic forms, Caxton’s newly built Hay Barn is both fiercely contemporary and a natural fit for its rural surroundings. The main two-storey barn style living accommodation is clad in black corrugated metal punctuated by simple aluminium-framed windows. The windows vary in dimension, creating a pleasing overall composition. Dramatic Corten features include an overhanging bay window and L-shaped canopy porch over the front door.

Running adjacent to the main structure is a steeply vaulted open plan kitchen-living-dining space, timber clad with large openings that connect inside and outside spaces. Inside, the pitched ceiling is panelled with large tiles of plywood with lighting running the length of the apex and under a surrounding plinth.

Owners Jodie and Dan Potts had always been interested in property but had no previous self-build experience. “We had watched every episode of Channel 4’s Grand Designs but would never have had the confidence to do it ourselves,” Jodie says. “We had never even renovated a property.”

But Jodie and Dan were inspired to begin their self-build journey by an unappealing property market. “We loved our previous home,” Jodie explains, “but we wanted more space. We looked around various houses on the market, but beautiful architecture seems so rare to find. We quickly realised that to fulfil what we wanted, we would have to create it ourselves.”

The couple approached Cambridge’s PiP Architects with a detailed brief heavily influenced by Jodie’s New Zealand heritage. “We love the low-key, pared back look of New Zealand baches,” says Jodie. “A bach is a small holiday home, often a black corrugated metal hut with lots of interior plywood.”

The material palette internally and externally is strongly minimalist. Polished concrete floors sweep throughout the ground floor. Handmade doors and bespoke fitted cupboards are made from bare plywood. Black detailing from the staircase handrail to the magnetic door catches stand out against simple white walls.

“It was also important to us to create separate spaces but without a feeling of disconnect,” adds Dan. “We both work from home. Jodie’s parents often come over from New Zealand for long stays. And we wanted cosy family space as well as open plan living.”

The Hay Barn was built on a plot which already had services connected and outline planning permission agreed. PiP Architects managed the design and technical aspects and supported Jodie and Dan with contract administration. They recommended MAN Construction who were appointed as the main contractor.

“The strong relationship between us, the architect and the builder was really key to the project’s success,” Dan says. “Your personal relationship with your architect is so important. PiP was the right fit for us. They design quite edgy stuff and we liked that they use more interesting materials. We trusted our architect to make good decisions, particularly on the technical aspects, and we felt in really safe hands. Small issues came up all the time and PiP were able to figure out solutions to achieve a good outcome. I don’t think you can end up with a high-quality finish without the support of an architect all the way through.”

A high-end finish was a priority for Dan and Jodie. “We wanted to spend the budget on something that was really good quality and architecturally interesting in design,” says Dan. “PiP advised us to shrink the bedroom dimensions by 10% and added the overhanging bay window to extend a sense of space from the bed. This made the savings we needed for more expensive detailing.”

Despite the pressures of the process, Jodie and Dan would take on a self-build again. “It was really nice to do something so creative,” Jodie says. “To dream up an idea and see that come to life is really amazing. I had this house pictured in my head in extreme detail for so long that I felt at home from the moment we moved in.

An Architect’s Eye
“A self-build can bring an architect a real opportunity to be creative,” says Kathryn Pedley, Architect and Associate Partner at PiP. “Every self-build is unique. The design will evolve depending on the client’s brief and the ambition that they bring. Most self-builders don’t come with a complete building in their head. We ask them to start by creating a mood board or Pinterest board which are useful to help communicate ideas. Then it’s our job to turn these initial ideas into reality.”
Kathryn also emphasises the important influence that budget constraints have on a self-builder’s design aspirations. “From the outset your budget is something that needs to be very clear,” she explains. “We guide our clients to spend on their design priorities and identify aspects where they can save. It is a bespoke process adapted to each client’s individual needs.”
For more information visit piparchitecture.co.uk