David had worked on a previous project and was the natural choice
of architect. The barn is a Listed structure and the contemporary
refurbishment required lengthy agreements with the local planning
authorities.
A large component of the renovations consisted of the refurbishment
of the roof. Roofing slates and timber materials were salvaged from
the other agricultural structures on the site that were too decayed
to be usefully renovated. In order to allow the existing structure
to be viewed internally but still conform to modern standards of
thermal performance, the roof is a ‘warm roof construction’ meaning
that all of the insulation is located on the exterior of the roof above
a new timber deck.
The external walls were insulated with sheep’s wool and clad with
larch timber, which has been left to weather naturally. The original
openings have been simply fenestrated with glazing set back from
the external wall line. Oversized bespoke glazed sliding doors
fill the hipped gable porches, allowing views from the courtyard
towards open fields. Two three- metre square roof lights allow day
light deep into the interior of the eight-metre tall central spaces.
It was decided early on during the design process to keep the spaces
as open plan as possible. Partitions and screens are designed as over
scaled freestanding furniture of birch-faced plywood, strategically
located to provide privacy for bathrooms and sleeping areas.
A reminder of the barn’s agricultural past, lighting is operated using
existing switch boxes and concealed within the existing structure,
existing metal grilles and new joinery.
Polished concrete flooring flows throughout with 10mm floor
joints aligning with the spatial demarcation. A biomass boiler is
assisted by a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system that
recirculates warm air stacking in the taller spaces.
The vast main space of the original barn has been retained as a
gallery space and the owners have hosted local events, dances and
art exhibitions.
Landscaping and planting reflects the internal spaces and is kept
simple with wildflower planting and brick paving salvaged from the
existing barn complex.
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