Oak treads .......

Throughout this project design continuity was maintained by limiting the materials pallet to 4 basic materials; oak, stone, glass and stainless steel.

Warren Barn.

An old barn doesn't always put it's best foot forward. But don't be fooled by the exterior. Weathered siding and doors off their tracks do not necessarily give any indication of what lies beneath. This old barn has a beautifully constructed oak frame. In superb condition, the frame is as square and true today as the day it was built. There is no mystery to it, good craftsmanship, good materials and good foundations are the ingredients for a barn which will easily last 150 years or more.

Bents.

A barn frame is usually constructed with a series of frames called bents arranged like structural bulkheads down the length of the building. These are then connected longitudinally by a series of sills, wall plates and girts. The roof is supported primarily by rafters and secondarily by longitudinal members called purlins. The spacing of bents and other timbers in a barn frame is not always ideal for residential purposes. A good barn conversion design will work around these difficulties and find ways to turn them to advantage rather than compromising the frame

Architecture ?

Interior architecture is an important part of the process of creating a barn conversion. The mechanics of an old barn frame are fascinating and charming. Creating an interior design which rationalizes the space within the frame in a practical and effective way which displays the frame without compromising it, this is the challenge.

The Warren Barn

Many old barns end up as repositories for peoples accumulated junk. Farm implements, old cars and tractors, appliances, building materials and worst of all old hay and straw. There is nothing worse or harder to deal with than 15 tons of 10 year old hay, dry, dusty and full of raccoons.
This barn had already been "cleared out" before we found it.

Grass is always better....

Viewed from inside the building the concrete is all gone, stone patio built and courtyard laid to grass. We begin landscaping with Himalayan Birch tree and beds of lavender.
The newly built, high, stone courtyard wall with buttresses ensures privacy from the rest of the farm buildings.

transformation

As your ideas begin to crystallize each major step forward gives a reward and offers up the next big challenge.
Block-work no more, now after major excavation to resolve ground level issues the addition of 1" thick, waney-edge oak board gives a traditional look to the gable end.