ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
A natural , pragmatic palette of timber , steel , concrete and recycled wood strand board combine to create a feeling of serenity and cleanliness .
Although thermostats are currently turned down for its current use , the building includes underfloor heating powered by an Air Source Heat Pump , as well as additional first fix services hidden behind the internal wall panelling for potential future conversion . Autobarn exemplifies Bindloss Dawes ’ approach to architecture that enhances and adds value to clients and context at any scale of project .
Bindloss Dawes ’ design draws on neighbouring agricultural barns , utilising their contextual appropriateness and learning from their lessons in low-cost , materially-efficient design . A natural , pragmatic palette of timber , steel , concrete and recycled wood strand board combine to create a feeling of serenity and cleanliness . Their quiet tones allow the fleet of classic cars to become the focus .
As a project proposed to adapt over time , significant consideration has been given to how it weathers ; the zinc roof and its concealed gutters will dull , complementing the silver patination of the sweet chestnut cladding , and the tones of the concrete plinth . As well as creating more depth , and texture , the open-lattice design of the cladding was chosen to help improve affordability , through reducing the quantity of timber required by 30 %. Internally this device creates dappled daylight during the day , which is reversed at night as the light from the inside spills out into the surrounding landscape .
The components of construction are enjoyed and celebrated , rather than hidden , most clearly evidenced by the exposed steel structure that sets out each car bay . The insitu concrete base , articulated both externally and internally , provides an adaptable , tough floor surface for the projects present and future use .
Internally , the steel structure is expressed in an array of simple portal frames , with acoustic boards made of wood strands and cement lining the walls and ceilings between them . The garage is calm , almost gallery-like ; while the taller workshop is tougher , complete with hard-wearing concrete wainscotting to add extra utility and robustness .
Oliver Bindloss , Director , Bindloss Dawes says : “ Our aim was to create a building that appeared elegant and familiar at first glance , but then opened up to reveal something surprising and unexpected . Using the barn typology helped us to achieve this , creating simple timber forms that you might expect to find throughout the countryside , but then introducing some theatre with the big sliding doors , opening up the building to reveal the car collection inside ”.
Tim Swift , client , says : “ It ’ s been my long-term dream to bring my car collection together under one roof , and to start all the restoration projects I ’ ve been planning . When I approached Bindloss Dawes I had some strong ideas about how I wanted the project to look and feel , so the design has been a close collaboration between myself and the architects . I ’ m really pleased with what we have produced together .”
Project credits Location : Somerset , United Kingdom Project size : 165 square metres Construction began : November 2020 Completion : April 2022 Client : Tim Swift Architect : Bindloss Dawes Design team : Oliver Bindloss , George Dawes Structural Engineer : Constant Structural Design Contractor : GDW Building & Renovations Photographer : © Building Narratives
www . bindlossdawes . com
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