A south facing extension has been built to convert a derelict Grade II listed barn into a sustainable, contemporary and comfortable home that invites natural light into the living spaces with glass extension to barn. Glovers Barn was a derelict 15th Century Grade II listed barn on the ‘Historic Buildings at Risk’ register in need of a complete barn renovation to transform it from a dark, constrained dwelling to an open, inviting and functional abode. Stamos Yeoh Architects thoughtfully designed a rear south west glass extension to barn with 20mm minimal sightline slim framed sliding glass doors to maximise the natural light ingress into the home. The flush thresholds enable easy access between the kitchen and external living spaces connecting to the mature gardens.

Seahorses is a stunning new home near Falmouth enjoying magnificent panoramic views of the south coast seascape. Sitting on the clifftops within an AONB, the house and gardens occupy a gently sloping site that connects with the adjacent South West Coastal Path. The context and terrain of the surrounding landscape informed the design and an imaginative and ambitious solution to site levels was crucial to the success of the scheme. As a result, the completed house is lower than the original, thus creating privacy for the occupants whilst still respecting neighbouring homes. The split-level, linear design is carefully organised around a spine wall of local granite that runs from the exterior of the building through the interior. This arrangement allows the living areas and bedrooms to connect with the landscape and integrate seamlessly with outdoor spaces. A mix of grasses, sedum and indigenous coastal plants on the green roof help to embed the building into its surroundings. The palette of natural materials creates a layered, permeable effect on the exterior, which will season with time and weather, thereby allowing it to assimilate into its coastal setting. Of equal importance was landscaping, which was integral to the design intent. With thoughtful positioning of the new dwelling, significant areas of mature and established planting were protected and retained. Photograph: Elliott White Photography

Completed renovation works

Our client set out from the start that he did not want a traditional home and supported us in creating a home that would be interesting, tested the planning system and made use of the lie of the land and views into the forest to the rear, the forest connects to the ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ of ‘Thorndon Country Park’. Spatial Design Architects undertook a full site analysis and feasibility study, that included a full understanding of the site and the local context, the existing dwelling was elevated 4m above the lower garden level, the plot was within a historic hamlet that dated back to the ‘Domesday Book’ of 1086, within the metropolitan greenbelt, conservation area and was adjacent to a Grade II listed dwelling. These were many points that we had to consider our design proposals upon and its impact. We developed many possible contemporary design forms and ideas; the main design principles were to create a dwelling that provided fantastic internal views out to the forest and garden. We formed an idea of a house that functioned with the main living spaces on the upper floor and the ancillary spaces on the lower ground floor. The main entrance would be via the upper level, an internal and external staircase would allow transition to the lower garden level, angled boundaries allowed a form that was fractured from the central core, that created two designated spaces. The use of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) was suggested for the main upper-level structure, this was chosen for fast on-site construction and low environmental impact. We developed a pre-application design document showing our design ethos for the site with the potential mass and form. This began great pre-application discussions with the local planning authority and ‘Design Council’, from the presentation further height, volume and placement restrictions were confirmed. A final design was approved and developed further into technical design, 3 no. intersecting anthracite zinc pods, balanced upon the gabion clad wall podium. The front was designed as a subtle contemporary cottage with a bridged entrance and the rear with cantilevered a-symmetric gabled structures with glazed facades. Spatial Design Architects have project managed the design, detailing and delivery of this unique bespoke home.

New render and timber clad extension with a light-filled kitchen/dining room connects the home to its garden.

COLORBOND® steel Monument® in LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB®.

Studio Vudafieri Saverino Partners - Foto Paolo Valentini

Nicolas Logerot

Photography by Robert Frith Construction by Gransden Constructions

BOSC ARCHITECTES

Hufton & Crow

Craftsman renovation and extension

Coordinador obra Antonio Marín (Villas Planet ) Arquitecto Jaume Cerda Aparejador Patrick Morro Electricidad Alcudia luz Fontanería Sanihogar Constructora Fons estel Carpinteria De Fusta Decoración y Fotografía Chary Lara (Villas Planet )