Description

The Grainshed is a striking contemporary house in the Suffolk countryside, designed by Marcus Lee — also behind The Watershed on the Isle of Mull. Completed in 2024, it is an exemplar of adaptive reuse: a Douglas fir timber-framed home built within the steel frame of a former grain shed. Full-height glazing opens to views across fields from east to west, flooding the interiors with natural light throughout the day.

Inside, a vast open-plan living space runs the length of the building, with exposed timber, generous ceiling heights and large expanses of glazing creating a bright and versatile backdrop for photography. At one end, the house opens onto a dramatic portico — a former Dutch barn — now an expansive covered outdoor space that can be used in multiple ways.

The property includes two double bedrooms and two bathrooms, with interiors that balance raw rural character and refined modern design. Outside, views stretch across a historic horse pond towards the tower of Lavenham church, anchoring the site within Suffolk’s layered landscape of history and agriculture.

Transport

The Grainshed is located near Lavenham, and around 20 minutes’ drive from Sudbury station (regular trains to London Liverpool Street in approx. 1h 15m). By car, the property is around 2 hours from central London, with parking available on site.