Manor Farm

Northamptonshire, UK. 2025 - Present

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Manor Farm is the extension and refurbishment of a historic rural farmhouse on the edge of Wappenham, Northamptonshire.

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Set within generous grounds and surrounded by open countryside, the house has a strong agricultural character and a layered history of change. The brief was to improve the kitchen and dining areas for modern family life, while respecting the character of the original farmhouse and its rural setting.

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Studio Hallett Ike’s proposal introduces a carefully scaled single-storey extension to the west wing of the house, opening the everyday living spaces towards the private garden and long views across the surrounding landscape. The new addition improves the flow of the home, creating a more generous and connected kitchen and dining space suited to the needs of a large family.

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The design has been developed to sit comfortably alongside the existing farmhouse. Its form takes cues from the gabled buildings already found on the site, with the ridge, eaves and chimney heights carefully aligned to create a calm relationship between old and new. A clear architectural break marks the junction with the original house, allowing the historic fabric to remain legible while giving the new extension its own quiet identity.

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Materially, the scheme combines refined ashlar limestone with Corten steel. The limestone relates to the traditional rural character of the farmhouse and surrounding village, while the weathered tones of the Corten steel echo the warmth of the existing brickwork and agricultural setting. Large-format slimline glazing brings daylight into the new spaces and frames views out across the garden and countryside.

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The result is a confident but sensitive addition to a much-loved family home: one that improves everyday living, strengthens the relationship with the landscape, and balances contemporary design with a deep respect for the character of the original farmhouse

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Current stage: Constrcution

Images: Studio Hallett Ike