County Down Barn

Nestled at the end of a long-winding lane stands the stone and timber walls of this barn house designed by architect Micah Jones for his growing family. The local agricultural style is reinvented in the choice of material palette with the external use of corten steel, traditional stone and untreated Siberian Larch all of which will mellow as it ages. Built on the footprint of a dilapidated agricultural shed, the ground floor is comprised of three double bedrooms, a master suite - including shower room & dressing area, bathroom and plant room. A cross laminated timber (CLT) staircase leads to the first floor which opens up into a study area with a mezzanine and cargo net play space above. CLT panels form the long, open plan first floor which flows from kitchen, to dining, to study to lounge; while high ceilings and a glazed south facing elevation create a depth of space, light and flexibility.

The house is connected to the front courtyard by a rebuilt external stone staircase and at the rear over a wide bridge terrace. A covered balcony at the end of the house provides shading in summer and panoramic views across County Down to the Mourne Mountains. CLT panels have been left untreated throughout the upper floor creating a warm tunnel of homogenous timber. The open span has been achieved by a specially developed ‘over-truss’ solution where the trusses were placed on top of the roof and the roof then suspended from them - making only the tie beams visible internally. CLT offcuts have been used to form kitchen furniture, tables, built in furniture and an internal log store; both to minimise waste and create a cohesive finish. Polished grey concrete forms the floor at upper level and board marked concrete has been used for the kitchen worktops and fire surrounds in the main living spaces.