Barn Conversions : Retiring to the Milking Shed

What are the options available for defunct barns and outbuildings? A typical farm will consist of a farmhouse, either ancient or a newer replacement, an adjacent run down collection of traditional barns and nearby a brace of modern metal-framed structures housing modern farming equipment. When I undertake site appraisals for the adaptive reuse of agricultural […]

The Social Status of Domestic Kitchens

The hearth has always been regarded as the heart of the home, to paraphrase Frank Lloyd Wright, but has the kitchen usurped its status? The hearth was where people gathered on cold evenings to keep warm and be enchanted by the flicker of an open fire. In the 21st century our houses have become more […]

Hints for Home Builders: Entrances

The sequence of spaces leading to an entrance requires as much careful consideration as those spaces internally. The entrance defines a sense of belonging, creating a transition into more private spaces and providing natural surveillance. At its most basic an entrance is often a door in a wall from a street, but will often be […]

Hints for Home Builders: Learning from Rural Dwellings – Windows

The ideal home will embrace its historical context, yet be an emblem of its own time. Developments away from towns are characterised by buildings clustered within small settlements within the landscape. These buildings are often placed in more sheltered positions. Rural dwellings especially, need to make the best use of their site and orientation. Originally […]