Preston Farm Conversion of a redundant agricultural, traditional stone barn which is attached to the circa 18th century historic farmhouse. The clients brief was a music room with mezzanine loft bedroom and bathroom below for guests.The building is set in West Somerset between the Quantocks AONB and the picturesque Brendon Hills. The house is a traditional three room cross passage farmhouse. The building stock is therefore solid walls, traditional materials with the need to consider damp and breathability. Other challenges were opening the solid barn up to the views and light and making a habitable space with a high degree of finish but retaining an industrial aesthetic to suit the agricultural past of the building.To let in light patent roof glazing was installed which also provides controlled passive heating to the space with solar control self cleaning glass. Folding sliding doors help the space benefit from the views of the south facing aspect and sunlight as well as passive heating in wintertime. An ornate French cast iron spiral staircase is set within a curved, cylindrical shaft and provides access to the mezzanine sleeping platform.Further light and air is provided to the guest bed with a Neo roof light. A folding sliding door opens out to glorious views of the landscape. Set underneath the mezzanine, a bathroom and wet room for guests is hidden behind a secret door which is concealed in the new bookcase. The bathroom is tiled with encaustic style floor tiles and a slate effect porcelain wall tile.The main space is fully wired for AV with motorized drop-down cinema screen and suspended projector. Built in wiring for speakers allows switches seamlessly from films to vintage records. A Morso wood burning stove providing sustainable heat for the winter months is set on a hearth made from bricks reclaimed from the original floor covering of the barnThe scheme is a tour de force, combining the best elements of the existing building – stone walls and clay roofs complimented by simple, modern details. Download project card (970 KB pdf)
