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.
www. halebrown. com
4