Planning permission was granted to convert and extend a Grade II listed 18th century barn to create a family home on the edge of a village in Surrey.

Our design approach to the form of the new house has been to conserve the ‘U’ shaped layout of the existing agricultural buildings whilst creating a family house by linking the new part of the house with the existing listed barn. It is important that the timber barn as the most significant building on the site should be conserved as a single open space.

Our design references have been agricultural in the form, composition and choice of materials for the new buildings to ensure that the proposed house will maintain its historical agricultural heritage. There are three interlocking forms that make up the new house, consisting of the existing grade II timber barn and the two interlocking wings. The two new wings are single storey and are significantly lower in height than the cattle shed and stable block, ensuring that the timber barn retains its dominance in the overall composition.

The new house is approached from the south side of the site through the existing entrance way at the east. The formal entrance to the house alongside the barn ensures that the parking area is hidden behind the barn. The existing ‘U’ shaped layout creates a private south-facing garden around which links the timber barn and two new interconnecting wings at the north and west.

The house viewed from the north appears low-lying, light and transparent allowing views of the barn and southern aspect. The single-storey height of the new south wing minimises mass when viewed from the A3. Materials reflect the agricultural vernacular of the area. Passive sustainable features have been integrated into the design.