The Apple Barn |
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The extensive renovation and retrofit of a 16th-century barn in Devon, to become a modern, light-filled and highly efficient family home.
The design aims to respect the form of the existing barn and the agricultural context that surrounds it: In maintaining a central double height space, we can see where machinery came in and out of the barn; in using arrow-slit window proportions and existing openings; the external design has a modern twist and will sit well in the context of the courtyard. The project has its complexities: working within the constraints of Permitted Development and negotiating a sensitive flood risk strategy, whilst designing to high-efficiency standards. The final design ticks all these boxes and will become a delightful family home. The retrofit strategy is based around a breathable construction, using natural materials that help to prolong the life of the existing building and provide a healthy internal environment. We have carefully calculated condensation risk and designed a continuous thermal and airtight fabric that takes the design close to the Passivhaus Institute's EnerPhit standard. This all ensures that the building will have low running costs and is comfortable through the life of the family that will inhabit it. We are excited to see this project progress, and can’t wait to pop the Champagne with our clients at the house once the final lick of paint has dried! |
Project Stage: Construction
Location: Exeter, Devon Architectural Consultant: Croft Design Collective, with Lilian Main & Eve Williams Main Contractor: Woofenden Construction Structural Engineer: Simon Bastone Associates MVHR: NuAire Annual Heat Demand: 29 kWh/m2a (Design Stage) |
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