Koto House
Scandi Barn Home ● Residential Design
Design by Matt Burleigh ● Photography by Crib Creative
Koto House is an architect-designed new home in Treeby that draws on biophilic design principles and Scandinavian barn-inspired form. Designed for a young family, the home balances clean lines with warm, natural textures, anchored by a central courtyard garden that brings light, greenery, and a daily connection to nature.
Designed as a forever home for architect Matt Burleigh and his young family, Koto House explores calm minimalism with moments of bold, personal expression. A refined palette of timber and soft-toned finishes is layered with curated colour—most notably deep blue highlights that bring energy and rhythm to the space. “It’s minimal, but layered,” Matt notes. “We kept the base soft and natural, but introduced bold accents as punctuation marks throughout.” The result is a contemporary family home rooted in sustainable new home design and an intimate connection to material tactility and light.
“It’s minimal, but it’s far from cold,” says Matt. “There’s warmth in the timber textures, and the blue tones—ranging from soft cornflower to deep stormy hues—add a quiet boldness. Each one was chosen to lift the space with energy, without disrupting the calm.”
Blending contemporary detailing with personal nuance, Koto House layers natural textures with curated contrast. From matte finishes to hand-finished joinery and unexpected colour moments, every space reflects a careful balance of restraint and rhythm. “I like working with contrast—timber against steel, smooth renders next to something a little raw,” says Matt. “There’s always room for a wildcard too—something unpredictable that makes the space feel lived in.”
Throughout Koto House, deliberate shifts in scale and asymmetry introduce layered sightlines, creating visual rhythm and a sense of movement that unfolds slowly through the home.
Koto House plays on quiet contrasts; between light and shadow, smooth and textured, symmetry and surprise. Carefully varied scale and composition give the home a quiet dynamism, from a sculptural pendant floating above the dining table to a slim steel-framed bookshelf offsetting a chunky timber bench. Material pairings - linen and ceramic, timber and raw steel - create subtle tension and richness throughout.
Many of the finishes were completed by hand; personal, imperfect, and intentional, reflecting the evolving life of the family who live here. “It’s calm, but not sterile,” says Matt. “It’s tactile, lived-in, and grounded by the garden. There’s always something changing in the light.”
Designed for real life, this architect-designed home in Treeby is crafted and relaxed—anchored in biophilic principles and a quiet rhythm that moves effortlessly between indoors and out.
Architecture by Cynosure Architecture