The large doors on either side were outfitted with large operable windows while the original arrow slits were kept intact.

The barn is located on a hill with a vantage over open farmland and woodlands. Wanting to preserve all that was good with the historic barn – but still have a modern, efficient, functional home — the owners required delicate and experienced design work. To accommodate the budget as well as the barn’s structure, RRA designed and prefabricated a number of pods off-site that were lowered into a pre-prepared position ready for connection. Using this technique, modern interiors for the kitchen, dressing room, bathroom, ensuite and tv snug could be more easily placed into the historic envelope, but rest lightly at the same time.

Original materials like the rubble stone walls, lime washing and the rustic elm timber roof trusses were renovated, repaired and shored up. The roof however was modified significantly to improve ventilation and add more natural daylighting. By raising the roof up off the walls of the barn, extra windows could be added around the edges and fresh air could move about. The large doors on either side were outfitted with large operable windows while the original arrow slits were kept intact. Inside the more intimate bedrooms are placed inside the more dimly lit spaces, while the living spaces are located in the brightest areas. An upstairs glass catwalk lets more light into the downstairs spaces.

+ RRA Architects

Via Archinect