This barn conversion had already secured approval under Class Q, and Acorus was later brought in to refine the design and maximise its appeal for a future sale. Under the original Class Q rules, the conversion needed to be completed within three years. By submitting a full planning application, the timeline was reset allowing work to commence within three years rather than finish, creating a more flexible and valuable permission, attractive to developers or self-build buyers.
Originally part of a working farm, the barn once housed cattle, in recent years it was used to house agricultural equipment. The existing Class Q approval had been achieved under the older legislation, but the client’s ambition was clear: enhance the property for sale to a London-based buyer seeking space, tranquillity, grandness and a connection to rural life. With that in mind, the design balances contemporary “wow-factor” elements with a respect for the building’s agricultural heritage.
Set within the Essex countryside, the typical expectation might be a traditional black timber-clad barn with a purely timber frame. However, this structure had evolved over time having suffered a fire in the past, it now featured predominantly blockwork walls, giving it a slightly more modern starting point. This allowed for a more progressive architectural response while still referencing the original form.
A key feature of the scheme is the introduction of a courtyard garden, creating a private outdoor sanctuary held within the footprint and character of the original barn. Internally, the layout provides five bedrooms alongside a generous open-plan kitchen, dining and living room space, with a mezzanine level above that celebrates the double-height volume typical of barn architecture and makes use of the views surrounding the barn.
Externally, large agricultural-style openings are retained and enhanced with decorative timber doors, reinforcing the building’s origins. A contemporary twist is introduced through a sedum roof extension, forming a cosy snug space that blends seamlessly into the rural setting. Corner-opening bifold doors further connect the interior to the surrounding landscape, opening out towards expansive wheat fields and ensuring the countryside becomes an integral part of everyday living.
