The Cart Barn

A building with character but very little natural light, the key focus was on adding daylight to the space and creating a connection to the outside—an especially challenging task given its first-floor location. The plan was reorganised to provide a meeting room at one end of the space, with the drawing desk separated from it by the new kitchen area. At the entrance, the stair now guides visitors up and into the main studio space
n external south-facing terrace was cut into the roof of the neighbouring stables, opening the space to the farmyard below. This, along with two carefully positioned roof-lights over the desk and kitchen, floods the interior with warm daylight throughout the day
hroughout the build, great emphasis was placed on using materials found on the farm to minimise both costs and embodied carbon. The roof-light glass and the brick-on-edge detailing in the foyer reflect this approach. Riven chestnut laths were used on the ceiling of the newly insulated roof and on the staircase, with a linen backing and LED lighting to create an inviting staircase with a warm glow. Chestnut lath was chosen for its acoustic properties, warm finish, and low environmental impact
holistic approach was taken to ensure the retrofit had a light environmental impact, incorporating passive ventilation, natural daylights, new insulation, and full air tightness. An air-source heat pump was installed to supply the underfloor heating, which was fitted only on the first floor, reducing the building's overall impact.