Home Transformation of the Year (up to 2,500 sq. ft)
Winner : “The Cowshed" by Design Storey Architects
The Cowshed, a historic barn in the Cotswolds, underwent a meticulous transformation courtesy of Design Storey Architects, from a dilapidated structure into a bespoke home. Initially, a conversion scheme was approved but did not meet the new owner’s vision. Opting for a redesign, the project team resubmitted plans that addressed challenges including structural repairs, damp issues, and tailored the design to the owner's brief.
The new design celebrated the barn's simplicity, using existing openings and a restrained material palette. Interventions included repairing historic timber posts and reinstating missing staddle stones, while modern glazing and agricultural-style additions respected the barn’s heritage. The plan received approval in August 2021, praised by the Conservation Officer for its sensitivity and ambition.
Construction issues included realigning the tilted roof trusses and removing a modern concrete slab, which led to the uncovering of original staddle stones. This discovery allowed for their reuse, further enhancing the project’s historical integrity. A time-lapse video documented the truss adjustment, ensuring compliance with planning conditions.
Sustainability was a core focus, with the project using durable, sustainable materials like sheep’s wool insulation, lime plaster and woodwall board. The maximum amount of historic fabric was retained while embodied energy was minimised. This project demonstrates a successful blend of thoughtful conservation and modern design.
WHAT THE JUDGES SAID:
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It is an excellent example of bringing a building back to life with a change of use that reinvigorates a dilapidated heritage structure.
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The Cowshed is an elegant scheme in which the old and new elements are clearly visible.
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A sensitive and collaborative approach to a building that most would have walked from or demolished.
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The architects have found a way to celebrate the history of the site and the unique qualities of the existing building through a series of elegantly realised interventions. The rigour undertaken in the conservation-led approach has resulted in a project that not only retains a high proportion of the existing fabric but also addresses environmental challenges through careful re-use of existing structural elements. A true triumph.
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