Bruton Barn, Somerset

Taking advantage of the ‘Class Q’ planning rules, this project proposes the transformation of an agricultural barn into a large single storey house & studio.

Formed around a large, open-plan living space, the house expresses the original structure and highlights the warehouse-like qualities of the barn. Internal wall and ceiling surfaces are clad in timber and corrugated metal, and the floor is made of polished concrete and stone.  Sections of the roof are cut away to create large rooflights to bring daylight deep into the plan, and the large barn doors are replaced with slim-framed sliding doors, creating generous views across the countryside. Bedrooms and more secondary living spaces are located to the sides of the building, where the roof drops to form more intimate spaces. 

The building is conceived as a low-energy building, with ground source heat pumps and heat recovering system.