EDITOR ' S CHOICE
HALEBROWN ARCHITECTS
Hale Brown Architects were asked to design a 4no . bedroom family home on a farmland site , situated within the Green Belt and on the edge of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Surrey .
The site was occupied by three , windowless timberframed barns arranged in a courtyard formation varying from approximately 100 to 300 years old . Having been extensively altered and adapted during their lifetime , the barns had come to the end of their serviceable use as part of the ongoing farm operations . The client brief was therefore to convert the barns into a private house , that complemented its unique rural setting and to take advantage of the stunning countryside views .
Due to significant structural issues and after extensive discussions with the local planning authority , it was agreed the barns would have to be reconstructed , rather than refurbished .
This reconstruction has allowed for modern construction methods and improved envelope build-ups to be utilised , resulting in a significantly better performing building envelope , which will have lower CO2 emissions over its life span .
Underfloor heating fed by an air source heat pump and mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery also provides a consistently comfortable , low energy and healthy internal environment .
A new extension link acts as a modern cloister defining a new central south-facing private courtyard . Additional new extensions link the original barn volumes further to create a single series of spaces designed to complement modern open-plan living .
Externally , sustainable black-stained larch cladding is set out horizontally on the historic volumes and vertically on the modern extensions to make the new volumes legible . On the roofs , traditional red clay tiles reflect the materiality of the original barns and local vernacular architecture .
Internally , the cloister incorporates a series of oak-lined windows and doors that create a well-lit , airy circulation spaces with visual connections to the central planted courtyard . The main open-plan living space also features large glass sliding doors to enable inside / outside living .
Around the house , large rooflights and windows are carefully positioned to maximise daylight penetration into rooms , while also framing views of the surrounding countryside . A new oak staircase provides a feature link between floors lit from a rooflight above and sets the tone for the simple material palette replicated throughout the house .
Hale Brown Architects have designed a sustainable , low-energy building , which externally respects its past use and form , while providing a beautiful , modern home for future generations .
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