Barn Conversions

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Barn Conversions

Unloved Agricultural Space to Rural Domestic Haven

When driving around the countryside, do you sometimes see a dilapidated old barn and think ‘that would make a perfect home’? Barns and other former agricultural buildings are ripe for conversion because they offer a generous, open shell in an attractive rural setting.

Renovating a characterful old barn into a modern home or other contemporary use, has been a popular practice for decades now and whilst some designs completely remodel the space, others celebrate the original features, especially the timber beams and gabled roofs.

Conversions differ from a new build project as there is an existing structure with core elements to base the design on. The outer walls, roof and doors can usually be incorporated to create a spacious but homely family dwelling that is filled with light and clever features.  

A barn conversion in Blewbury, Oxfordshire

We are working on the renovation, conversion and extension of an interesting Grade II Listed barn in the centre of the village of Blewbury in Oxfordshire. The proposals will create a three bedroom home for the owner.

Abners Barn is a rectangular timber building with side and front outshuts. The oldest parts of the barn dates back to the 18th century with alterations made  in the 20th century. The timber frame is clad with dilapidated weatherboarding and the roof of one outshut has collapsed.

Our client wants to restore and convert the barn into his future home, with the living area to the rear in a new extension and the bedrooms at the front of the existing barn, which needs plenty of structural underpinning and renovation.  

In our design, the barn retains its geometry and aesthetics with the poorly supported outshuts rebuilt. The barn is finished in stained timber cladding and new windows and doors are painted timber double or triple glazed units.

The extension is a gable-end single-storey vaulted space linked to the barn via a glazed flat green roof link. There are rooflights to allow in plenty of light whilst still maintaining the external integrity of the roofscape. The design includes the exposed internal timber frame.

Our aim is to sympathetically restore and bring the listed barn into life as a family home that will serve generations to come. We use natural, degradable, locally sourced building materials that adhere to the nature of the structure. The design supports the  biodiversity of the site with a pond and eco-friendly solutions.

From barn to what?

Former agricultural buildings lend themselves to many different new lives. Whether a barn is a stone or wooden structure, Victorian, rustic or modern, use of the original materials should honour and appreciate their former use.

We have seen barns converted into restaurants and coffee shops, artist studios, holiday homes, office or retail space. The beauty of a barn’s open space is having the versatility to be turned into something completely different, a one-of-a kind building with a whole new lease of life.

Planning permission for a barn conversion

There is so much regulation involved in any project, but even more so with a barn conversion. It’s important to fully understand what is required in order to gain planning permission for the project. We work with experts in highways, utilities, ecology, trees, conservation and archaeology for clarification and advice.

To add further complexity, local planning authorities can interpret the laws and regulations slightly differently so local expert knowledge is essential to be able to put forward a compelling planning application.  

With our Blewbury barn planning application, we submitted structural reports, listed building consent, ecology reports and tree surveys. At MarbleAir Architects, we are well-used to the complex twists and turns of the planning, project management and construction phases of barn conversions.

Why we love barn conversions

Barns and agricultural buildings provide a rare opportunity to build a beautiful home in the countryside where regular development is often not permitted.

Overall, traditional rural buildings are charming with large open, often double-height space. Every barn is unique, with its own unusual features and challenges. We love to create flexible living for modern families in outstanding structures where we respect and celebrate their working past.

We love that we usually get to work with breathable, natural materials, a nice change from standard practices these days. Timber frame details are wonderful and we include exposed beams in our designs wherever we can.

The challenges of converting a barn

The issues surrounding barn conversions don’t stop when the planning permission is granted. Barns have often been neglected and unused for decades so the fabric of the building is likely to have deteriorated, meaning conservation, preservation and repairs to the elements will be needed. All manner of wildlife may have taken up residence in the barn and will need to be dealt with sensitively and within regulations.

Converting a barn might not be the right project for everyone. If you want a home with perfect perpendicular lines and regular room shapes and heights, a barn may be too quirky. We talk to our clients about how they will live in the space and what elements of the barn they’d like to keep.

The transformation should include something of the original feel of the building while creating a unique space that perfectly satisfies the needs of the family living there. Barn conversion design has come a long way since the early days, we are more imaginative with mezzanine floors, innovative lighting and clever use of the space.

Best features of barn conversions

When inspecting a barn for the first time, we always hope to see an amazing timber structure to be able to celebrate these fascinating roof beams as part of the architectural design.

Another key feature of any barn is the open space it offers, providing a blank canvas for family living or whatever use is next in store for the barn. The location is often a plus-point for agricultural buildings, they might be set in an idyllic, peaceful setting or in the heart of a rural village.

When designing a contemporary home in a former agricultural barn, we enjoy the focus on balancing the old with the new – how to incorporate new ideas that sit well within the aged structure and materials of the building.

How MarbleAir Architects help

Our expert architects guide our clients through the many challenges of converting a barn – from creating a design that suits the family for years to come, to navigating the local planning processes and development regulations and project managing the transformation of the building.

Clients of MarbleAir Architects can expect a mix of creative thinking and strategic, practical support from the initial investigations right through to the completion of the landscaping. When all these elements come together, a barn conversion can be a highly rewarding experience for all.

If you are planning to embark on the barn conversion journey, please email happytohelp@marbleair.com or call us on  +44 (0) 1491 528912

At MarbleAir Architects, we love to bring this all together and transform spaces to match the client’s needs. We pride ourselves on our holistic project management approach to planning, selecting tradespeople, managing utilities, interior design and of course keeping control of the finances. We love to create homes with great character that people love to live in.

Have any other questions ?

If you have any questions or you’d like to work with us on a project, simply contact us via EMAIL and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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