This historic farmstead is made up of two separate Grade II listed buildings: a late 16th-century farmhouse and an 18th-century agricultural barn clad in black timber. But when we first encountered the property, its elements were disconnected, with unsympathetic additions hampering its distinctive character. We stripped away a UPVC conservatory and changed the layout of the house, reconfiguring its structure to let it breathe and flow more naturally.
We looked out towards the historic farmyard, installing a contemporary glazed extension to maximise views with floor-to-ceiling glass on a base of knapped flint. The extension’s interior is tactile: polished concrete, blackened timber and natural oak with accents of marble and terracotta. Above it is a crown of blackened steel, with shallow peaks and troughs like a dark ribbon, echoing the undulating gables of the surrounding outbuildings.
The extension now links the house to the neighbouring black barn, which has been converted into an informal living space. The barn’s cladding was carefully removed, refurbished and reinstalled, preserving its unique character while improving its thermal performance; the irregular roofline was left unaltered. A picture window was added to the side of the barn, exposing its timber-framed structure and revealing a view of the garden.
Within the main body of the farmhouse, a new double-height space improved the circulation between rooms, uniting old and new with an oak staircase traced by slender steel spindles. The result is a calm, modern home anchored in its environment and sense of history.
ClientWill, Miles and the team did an amazing job for us on our listed farmhouse. They guided us through each stage of renovation process expertly. We highly recommend.
Awards
Listed and Architectural Awards 2025 – Best Contemporary Extension (Winner), AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards – Positive Addition (Shortlisted)
Publications
The Sunday Times, Dezeen, The Architect’s Journal, Plain Magazine, Listed Heritage Magazine