Around an ongoing barn conversion project, this website draws together advice, information and references to aid all would-be and current barn and non-residential building converters and renovators.
Our approach takes on board 'healthy house', sustainable, ecological & environmental concepts to as great a degree as timescales and budgets allow.
Obviously with nasty old Christmas getting in the way (!) progress has slowed a little, but not to the extent I would have expected.
The beams are looking great and have been completely embedded in the wall - the walls have been rebuilt where the holes where pushed through to allow the beams to be put into place. Apparently, each beam weighs around three quarters of a tonne, enough to make the machine that was used to lift them lean alarmingly before getting the job done!
The two windows that we’re putting through on the ground floor gable-end have been measured up and partially cut through. I was worried that they’d be too big, but the size looks about right. The damp problems in the wall have been further confirmed by the builder when cutting the windows out and I’m currently figuring out what to do - I have an idea or two of which more in the future…
Major progress has been made in starting construction of the first floor in the main part of the barn. Last I saw of it, the joists that run lengthwise through the barn, supported by the oak beams had begun to be put into place and the feel of the new building has begun to establish itself - exciting times.
Finally, the opening between the two ground floor rooms of the barn has been fully established and the retaining walls strengthened. There have been a couple of difficulties in getting the levels of the reclaimed oak lintels correct as there are two steps up into the kitchen and a conundrum to be solved in getting the various ceiling, lintel and floor levels correct, but I think we’ve got there, hopefully without the opportunity of me banging my head.
Building Progress ~ November 2007, week 1 and 2 on November 22nd, 2007 Let the games begin.
The first phase of building involves excavation of the exterior ground levels all around the building to provide drainage trenches and ensure...
Building Progress ~ November 2007, week 3 and 4 on December 10th, 2007 Through to the end of November progress has been mainly on filling back in what has been taken out!
The original internal floors were removed and...
Organic architecture more or less means organic society. An architecture inspired by this ideal cannot acknowledge the laws imposed by aestheticism or mere taste, just as an organic society should reject any external imposition on life that contrast with nature and the character of the man who has found his work and the place where he can be happy and useful in a form of existence suited to him.
In short, architecture should follow the needs of society and the individuals within that society; that any awkward imposition caused by aestheticism or mere taste should be rejected. This struck me as a powerful quote that pretty much sums up my own personal approach to architecture. Whilst architectural styles and movements can entice with their aesthetic beauty, discipline and rigour, my personal needs for an attractive and yet functional environment drive me down a more pragmatic route.
Form follows function…
If you enjoyed that post, then read these...
Vernacular Architecture ~ Robert Venturi on January 4th, 2008 In my haphazard stumble through the world of architects and architecture, I came across Robert Venturi.
title
(1)
Parasitic architecture on October 16th, 2008 Whilst bringing to mind images of ticks and leeches, parasitic architecture is an umbrella term, used to refer to self-contained new buildings that are attached...
title
(1)
PassivHaus on August 22nd, 2007 One of the cornerstones of energy efficient, healthy, sustainable building design, the PassivHaus standard aims to provide comfortable year round living conditions through minimal energy...
I’m always looking for new ways to get the message of this site across, so I’m happy to announce that I’m going to start adding video content via YouTube.
The first video is on the interior of the barn as it begins to take shape. The floor is partially finished, oaks beams are in place and work has started on the first floor. It’s a little dark and gloomy, but not too bad for a first attempt…
Enjoy…
If you enjoyed that post, then read these...
New bed on September 24th, 2009 Somewhat in anticipation of being able to take up residence we've bought a great new bed for the barn.
A Place of My Own on January 20th, 2010 For anyone with an interest in building, conversion or renovation, or in just getting your hands dirty, Michael Pollans 'A Place of My Own' is...
Rather strangely, I’ve we’ve discovered stalactites in our walls.
Whilst the photograph is not that clear, that downward dribble to the right of the centre of the picture is a lime stalactite that has formed within the south facing wall of the barn. Whilst the wall is not very damp at the surface, internally it is [...]
The first of the structural elements that will form a finished part of the building have been installed. Our much debated oak beams, that were selected over steel beams as a key element of our healthy house design have been delivered and put into place.
As the walls that will support the beams are already [...]
