Yew Tree Barn

Suffolk, 2021

A barn un-conversion project, meticulously repairing and extending a 19th century timber barn in Suffolk, the subject of multiple unsympathetic 20th century interventions, to repurpose it as a sustainable home for later life living.
A strategy of ‘constructive demolition’ was pursued, carefully unpicking the 20th century works and sensitively repairing the historic timber frame to celebrate the qualities of the original timber structure. Radical improvements to the environmental performance of the existing structure was achieved through the removal of poor quality infills and the introduction of hand split oak lath and plaster and insulation between the timbers with a natural lime plaster finish.
Internal alterations to the listed fabric were minimal, with attention focused on targeted improvements to the dwelling’s circulation including the insertion of meticulously crafted stand alone joinery structures within the large barn volume to form habitable accommodation.

Revitalising a complex of listed farm buildings

Suffolk, 2021

The barn, part of the listed farm complex, was constructed in the 19th century, originally as a home for dairy cows. A family wedding in the 1980s saw the animals hastily evicted and a swift conversion of the structure into a rudimentary annex.

 

Poorly altered again in the early 2000s, the existing structure had an eccentric arrangement of spaces, with much of the original fabric obscured. The existing building was damp, cold and suffered from persistent condensation.

An extension was added to the northern elevation, addressing the picturesque kitchen garden, and allowing for the creation of rationalised bedroom and bathroom accommodation. This contemporary post and beam structure, of typical agricultural form, eschewed the use of any steel, reducing embodied carbon.

 

The new construction references it’s agricultural neighbours, with the composition of local brick plinths and black timber cladding, drawing on regional building traditions. The skills of local craftspeople were extensively employed in constructing the meticulously detailed timber windows and internal joinery.