Judges Visit

We had an excellent day last Thursday hosting the RIBA Northeast 2026 judges visit @ The Limeworks in Hetton, Northumberland.

We were proud to share the full story of the development — from first ideas through to completion and to reflect on a journey shaped as much by people as by architecture.

The project marks the beginning of two parallel journeys. For the architect, it represents a new chapter: StudioNorth, founded by JBaker, moving from commercial architecture towards a more personal, place-led approach. For the clients, James, and Katie it marked a bold move — relocating from London, acquiring a smallholding, and setting out to create both a viable rural business and a family home rooted in the landscape.

The Limeworks is the result of shared ambition, trust, and a commitment to creating something meaningful in the countryside.

Limeworks Shortlisting

We’re delighted to share that Limeworks has been shortlisted for the RIBA North East Awards 2026.

This project reimagines two rural outbuildings as distinctive holiday lets, layering new with old. Rough sandstone textures meet the rich patination of Corten steel, weaving contemporary craft into the fabric of the small holding estate.

A careful balance of heritage, comfort and connection to the landscape, brought to life by brilliant local trades and our self build clients James and Katie.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted practices and thank you to RIBA for the recognition.

Sunday Times

We’re proud to see our Limeworks project featured in The Sunday Times this month. What began as a derelict cow shed in rural Northumberland is now a pair of beautifully crafted holiday homes — and the site of our clients’ wedding last summer.

Working with James and Katie, we transformed two 19th-century farm buildings into energy-efficient, design-led spaces: the Granary and the Hemmel. The architecture draws on rural industrial forms, combining charred ash cladding, Cor-Ten steel, and corrugated metal to create a bold yet contextually sensitive identity.

The project had plenty of challenges: ecological surveys for bats and great crested newts, pandemic delays, and a newborn added plenty of pressure. But with careful phasing and an ambitious, a value-led brief, the James and Katie made it — moving in just in time to host their wedding on-site.

We’re honoured to have helped shape such a personal, layered project, visit @thelimeworks, thelimeworks.com

Full Article here: https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/property-home/article/we-turned-a-cow-shed-into-a-home-then-got-married-there-cjpkbs5zm

Bespoke Dwelling Design

Delighted to gain recent planning approval for a compact, design led dwelling along Northumberland Coastal AONB. The linear Form is clad with silvered timber creating a low-profile dwelling with clean modern lines and a feature a glass to glass corner window.

Exemplar House Design

This exemplar new home in County Durham blends traditional forms and materials with a contemporary design. The interior accommodates spacious, open plan living that is enhanced by tall bay windows that offer natural light and provide panoramic views over the surrounding landscape.

StudioNorth worked closely with the developer on the 2,920sqft dwelling which was constructed and sold within 12months from start on site.

Limeworks -

Great to have a look @ The Limeworks project this afternoon and consider further development phases with James and Katie. Idyllic spot for a short break in Northumberland!!

Thrunton View

Lovely to see some of the landscape establishing @ Thrunton View, Longframlington today. Hornbeam hedging and estate fencing compliment the sandstone and zinc dwellings to form a development with excellent kerb appeal.

Hamsterley

Looking forward to pulling founds later this month for twelve new dwellings in County Durham near Hamstereley, Co Durham.

Limeworks

Lovely to see some of the our design proposals @ The Limeworks come to fruition.

Beamish

Further to our outline approval in 2020, we have recently submitted a reserved matters scheme design for what will become one of the finest leisure and residential developments in the north east of England.

Broomside

Concept for an outdoor fireplace and orangery extension to an existing stable conversion.

Northern Sinfonia

Great to share some of our architectural concepts developed alongside 5Edge this week for a development opportunity down @ 43 Jesmond Vale. This contextual design option mediates scale and employs an industrial aesthetic to enhance urban character along the Ouseburn.

Limeworks Construction

Good to see the formation of steel and timber frame rafters @ the Limeworks earlier in the year, another trip up soon to capture the cladding process in action due to begin early August

ShredtheNorth

Looking forward to developing ideas and concepts with the community later next month + supporting our friends Shredthenorth with implementation of a new skate park facility in Gateshead.

Room with a View

Looking forward to realising some of our timber clad dwelling designs over the next couple of months up in Northumberland. The upper levels of the terraced barn typology benefit from elevated views down to the coastline, enjoyed from the balconies and bathtub!

North End Farm

A blend of traditional and modern family living for six luxury residences in Northumberland. The homes are based on an L-shape plan form with traditional, dual pitched slate roofs, rustic sandstone walls complimented with zinc clad orangeries and entrance porticoes.

Wall Chapel

Recent site visit to Wall Chapel in Northumberland to meet an old chum and review some design concepts for future conversion.

Rural Living Concepts

Looking forward to developing our designs for 4 stunning new homes in Northumberland later this month. Our rural typologies exhibit double height living quarters and are clad with dark timber and black slate.

Heber Street Planning Approval

We are pleased with today’s planning approval for our landmark design accommodating 169 luxury apartments adjacent Newcastle’s up and coming Helix Quarter.

Bensham Pottery

Excited to present our proposals for a contemporary pottery workshop / studio tomorrow at Bensham Grove. The design blends into the site topography, complimenting the setting to create a subtle landmark building to showcase local arts and crafts.