Modern Rustic Designs – Shawm House

A beautiful example of modern rustic design, Shawm House looks at home in its natural environment, in the charming village of West Woodburn, England. This newly built dwelling sits on the footprint of a demolished barn, right at the edge of Northumberland National Park. Designed by MawsonKerr Architects, the house provides a contemporary take on vernacular architecture. It features a refined yet still rural appearance. The use of local materials anchors the building in its local context, while its contemporary and eco-friendly design fulfills the clients’ desire to live in an “outstanding piece of architecture” that is both comfortable and energy efficient.

The name explains the idea behind the house’s aesthetic. “Shawm is an old Northumberland term meaning ‘to warm oneself’ and the house uses a simple form which is a ‘wrapped’ super insulated blanket cladded in larch,” the architects explain. Seamless and minimal, the wooden exterior complements the existing structures and other nearby farmhouses. Multiple windows maximize the views as well as the amount of natural light, resulting in a bright living space connected to nature. Immaculate white walls and wood flooring further enhance the cozy and elegant ambience. Upstairs, the socializing areas offer uninterrupted views over the valley. On the ground floor, the bedrooms and study open towards the garden and the bucolic landscape. Photographs© MawsonKerr Architects.