Grade II Listed Manor House Barn Conversion

Positioned within the grounds of an important Grade II listed Manor House of C17 origin, the Stables are set within the picturesque Piddle Valley, with open countryside to the north and forming part of a courtyard of attractive agricultural outbuildings. The conversion brings back into use a redundant building securing its future and provides two high specification energy efficient holiday let cottages.

About: Conversion & Change Of Use From Former Stables To Holiday Let Cottages

Location: Dorset

Project type: Private residential

Status: Planning & Listed Building Consent Approved

Interior of a listed historic barn conversion building with visible wooden roof trusses, exposed timber rafters, vaulted ceilings, brick walls, timber doors and windows.
Old traditional timber truss joints with exposed wooden beams and vaulted ceilings.

‘Original timber trusses will remain exposed’.

Having been largely modified in the early C20 as part of wider works to the Bladen Estate which are noted for their significant contribution to the history of farmsteads across the UK, the Stables command historic importance and are considered to hold value from a social and economic perspective, and therefore require careful consideration.

Brickwork barn with single storey roof, timber doors and windows in the countryside

‘Traditional exterior finishes conceal a contemporary interior’.

To maintain the ‘rhythmical’ nature of the principal elevation, the minimal new openings proposed are restricted to rooflights. These are positioned on the courtyard facing elevation reinforcing the ‘inward focused’ nature of the historic building and maintaining the plain service building like disposition of the rear.

Architectural illustration of a listed barn conversion, including bedrooms, living spaces, and a central stairway connecting floors, with exposed timber trusses and vaulted ceilings.

‘Exposed beams infilled with dimmable glass emphasise the buildings original volumes’.

Switchable glazing infill to the truss members allows the historic timbers to remain fully exposed whilst providing an immersive interactive experience. Privacy is achieved when a switch transforms the clear glazing to opaque via a low electrical current. The contrasting materials ‘of this time’ allow the evolution of the building to be clearly understood.

Brick barn in a conservation area with an arched window heads, tiled roof, surrounded by green trees, a wooden fence, and a pile of firewood on the left, under a clear blue sky.
A brick walled barn in rural countryside with a pitched roof, surrounded by green trees and a grassy yard, under a bright sun in a blue sky with some clouds and birds.

‘Vernacular materials sit comfortably within the rural setting’.

The existing external finishes will be carefully restored with lime mortars and new traditionally crafted painted timber joinery maintaining the rural aesthetic of the building and the wider setting.

3D design sketch of a barn conversion

‘The reinstated hay loft provides open plan living with vaulted ceilings’.

The design has been considered to reference the original use as a stable building. Carefully integrated vaulted spaces, exposed timber roof trusses and the reinstatement of the former hay loft at first floor reflect original volumes whilst providing interesting interior spaces.

Open grassy field in conservation area and ANOB with trees at the edges and a hilly landscape in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

‘Considered removal of historic fabric allows for new glazed openings’.

The rear wall of the building will be opened up to the expansive countryside views over the meadows and River Piddle beyond though the introduction of a new fully glazed opening designed to appear as an original ‘barn door’ retaining the agricultural nature of the building within the rural setting.

Architectural concept drawing plans of a stables conversion to two houses, structural glass balustrades, floating stairs, rooflights, open plan kitchens and living area.

‘Rustic materials compliment open plan living’.

The new mezzanine floor will be constructed from timber to match the exposed trusses. Stone floors and exposed brickwork interior walls nod toward the buildings heritage. New staircases, walls and finishes will be built from modern, crisp contrasting materials

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