Calling all John Pawson superfans and architecture enthusiasts alike: in this special episode of The Modern House Podcast, the celebrated architect gives our co-founder Matt Gibberd a walking tour of Home Farm, his self-designed, countryside residence in the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire. Following on from the first episode of our new series, where John shared his top three living spaces in the world, we discover what makes the master of minimalism tick. Ever wondered what’s inside John’s pantry? What grows in his orchard? Where he sources his furniture? Listen to the episode here to find out.

Home Farm is one of John’s most personal projects to date. The former agricultural complex made up of an old farmhouse, plus several sheds and barns, dates back to 1610, but it wasn’t until 2016 that John’s contemporary transformation of the space began. The five-year renovation, completed in 2019, is a testament to his career as an architect, during which he has spent more than three decades refining his deceptively simple aesthetic. In his own words, Home Farm is a “sensual space, where the primary experience is of the quality of light, materials, and proportions.”

This particular house tour begins in the natural garden with John, Matt, and cockapoo Lochie – the puppy John and his wife Catherine bought during lockdown when they decamped to here from their London townhouse. As they meander around the grounds and into the home – here, no material or space is left undiscussed – we get to know John on a more personal level. Spoiler alert: the man behind the restrained, austere aesthetic is, in fact, anything but.

Join the tour of Home Farm and hear John discuss designing his country house, its connection to nature, and how his experience of the space differs from season to season. Plus, he shares his thoughts on modern architecture today and where his penchant for minimalism stems from. It’s a deep dive, so listen on a long walk, tune in as you travel, or turn the volume up and settle on the sofa on Sunday. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss an episode, and if you could rate and review us, we’d be more than grateful. Happy listening.