Class Q barn conversion

From steel-framed barn to family home; how a simple aesthetic, high quality materials and a passivhaus-inspired approach led to class Q approval.

Our clients approached us to evaluate options for their existing steel-framed barn and explore the potential for a Class Q conversion into residential use.

We proposed a design that sought to best exploit the potential of the existing building and its relationship to the wonderful North Devon surroundings, whilst presenting a compelling case to the Local Planning Authority to ensure approval was gained. Additionally, our design needed to align with our clients' preference for a PassivHaus-accredited approach.

The existing barn is a storey and a half high set against the site’s boundary. It is modern in construction, steel framed and modest in scale. Our designs remained within the same footprint and fulfilled the key points of the brief in creating an open plan family home with excellent thermal and energy efficiency.

We felt a key way of transforming the barn into a home was the layering of well detailed, high quality materials inside and out. These materials should still respect the barn typology, but by adding refinement to the details we could then balance the old and potential new uses of the space.

Internally, we felt that a clean and simple aesthetic was the most suitable approach to the home, enhancing an overall quality of daylight to all areas. The use of a limited palette of hard wearing but tactile materials will ensure that spaces are refined and elegant but still homely. An open plan kitchen / dining space provided a communal area for the growing family, whilst a separate living area offered a more quiet, restful space. Upstairs the layout responded to the reduced head height in the eaves including glazed up and over elements in the bedrooms on the southern side of the building.

Visit our interior design services page (links) for more information on the organisation and design of the internal spaces.