Tyack Architects were commissioned to sensitively convert a traditional agricultural barn on the outskirts of Saintbury into a contemporary home for a long-standing local client. Set within eight acres of rural land and screened by mature hedgerows, the historic structure retains its distinctive character while being revitalised as a warm and sustainable dwelling.

The design preserves the barn’s original form, stone and timber construction, and expressive queen post trusses, while discreetly introducing high-performance, breathable materials including limecrete floors, wood and cellulose insulation, and lime plaster finishes. Carefully balanced between conservation and modern comfort, the conversion provides adaptable living spaces including an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, flexible entertainment space, and two first-floor bedrooms within the existing truss bays.

Externally, reinstated drystone walls define the yard and enhance the barn’s setting, while a simple gravel access track maintains the rural character of the approach. This first phase of the barn’s redevelopment ensures long-term flexibility for future generations while securing the building’s preservation and continued use.