Allan Joyce Architects were appointed to convert a magnificent 17th Century stone barn into a large family home. The barn is located in remote open countryside accessed via a private rural track. The existing barn featured three large openings, with many stone “breather” slots on all elevations. Getting plenty of daylight into all living spaces was key to making the conversion successful.
Two floors were inserted into the structure, creating living and bedroom accommodation, with an extension built on the footprint of a former building accommodating a further bedroom and snug on split levels. The layout internally is arranged around a series of voids that with internal windows and open gallery landings to permeate daylight throughout. Banks of traditional style conservation roof lights were installed on the rear south elevation to flood these voids with natural daylight and internal partitions are glazed to get borrowed daylight into all the living accommodation. The new extension was constructed from original Skerry Sandstone painstakingly collected by the client on site and affords spectacular views of the surrounding countryside from the fully glazed gable and clerestory lights.
Achieving low energy use was a priority in the design and showcase the benefits of rainwater harvesting. The external walls were thermally upgraded with generous level of insulation; a mechanical heat recovery and ventilation system was installed, along with a ground source heat pump to provide space and water heating. The project was featured on Channel Five’s Build a New Life in the Country programme.
If you would like to have a chat with us about your project or want to learn more about the services we offer, we’d love you to get in touch.
design@ajaltd.co.uk
0115 841 8418