Reimagining Rural Heritage

This project converts and extends a curtilage-listed 19th-century granary into a family home that balances historic character with modern living. The design retains the building’s agricultural roots while introducing open-plan, light-filled spaces with a rustic-industrial feel. Interconnected rooms improve flow and functionality, while environmental upgrades support long-term performance.

Faced with extensive structural deterioration, we adopted a conservation-led approach. Rather than replace, the existing oak frame and roof were repaired using traditional joinery techniques, supported by discreet modern reinforcements. This “light-touch” strategy ensured the granary’s historic character was preserved while meeting contemporary performance standards.

Exterior

The design retains the granary’s original form, with a carefully considered extension that builds on its agricultural character. A restrained palette of reclaimed, local, and natural materials—including timber, brick, and metal—was used throughout. External timber cladding continues seamlessly from the building’s exterior into the interior, passing over the original external granary wall (now an internal feature), reinforcing the feeling of crossing a threshold between old and new.

Original barn elements were retained where possible, acting as reminders of the original structure within the reimagined building. Openings were sensitively enlarged or added to improve light and sightlines, while roof forms were kept in tune with the building’s rural setting. Landscaping was used as a defining feature of the design, using native plants, raised beds made from reclaimed sleepers, and reused farmstead elements such as troughs and feeders to reinforce the narrative of adaptive reuse and connection to setting.

Interior

A generous, double-height hall with an oversized front door sets the tone on arrival, offering a dramatic yet welcoming entrance into the new extension. The main living spaces unfold from here into an expansive, open-plan kitchen, dining, and lounge area that connects fluidly to the outdoor terrace. The ground floor master suite enjoys a spacious ensuite, and a dedicated dressing area. Other key spaces include a formal living room, utility room, walk-in larder, large linen cupboard, and guest WC.

Upstairs, a glass bridge links the old and new sections of the building, offering a vantage point over the double-height interior and expansive views to the front exterior. This space serves as a key transitional area, highlighting the difference between the original structure and the new addition. Two bedrooms are arranged around a shared en-suite bathroom configuration, offering flexibility for a growing family or guest accommodation as well as storage solutions throughout the building. A self-contained bedroom suite, designed for flexible use, is tucked away with its own access and amenities, balancing privacy with integration.

Sustainability and Materials

Sustainability was central, with an emphasis on retaining and repurposing the existing structure to minimise waste and reduce the need for new materials. Preserving large portions of the oak frame and masonry significantly reduced the carbon footprint. Where new materials were needed, the team prioritised natural and reclaimed products—supporting both environmental and aesthetic goals. Internal materials were also reused to maintain the aesthetic, reduce demand for new resources and enhance cost-effectiveness.

Thermal upgrades, including high-performance insulation and efficient glazing, were subtly integrated. Passive strategies such as cross ventilation, solar gain, and daylighting informed the layout. Together, these efforts ensure the home performs efficiently without compromising its heritage.

Working in close collaboration with local authorities, heritage officers, and an appointed archaeologist, the project navigated the complexities of listed building consent and ground sensitivity with care and integrity.