Upper Duffryn

Upper Duffryn

Currently on site this exciting project within the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will bring an historic barn back into use as part new home,  part holiday let. The biggest challenge presented by the project was to find a solution that would allow the original roof height to be notably increased. Working with Shropshire Councils built Heritage Officer timber louvres were introduced over the existing walls to maintain the character and proportions of the original structure.

A suitable construction strategy was developed that will enable a lightweight timber frame to be inserted within the existing stone walls. The original trusses will be re-used to form a new roof at the higher level.

Wain House

Hidden in a small Herefordshire hamlet near the Welsh border town of Presteigne is the Wain House. The site, originally part of a medieval farmstead is home to a Grade II Listed Cart Shed, converted into a dwelling in the mid 1990’s. The new dwelling has allowed much of the mid 90’s work to be reversed and the Cart Shed to be sensitively restored.

Siting a new dwelling next to the cart shed without overwhelming it is achieved by splitting the house into two separate elements that reference the form, massing and layout of nearby agricultural structures dotted across the settlement. Each element accommodates a main living space linked via a circulation corridor recessed into the site so that as occupants move through the house they are immersed into the garden and landscape.

A considered palette of traditional clay tiles, local stone, oak and Herefordshire gravel is used to create a dialogue with the old cart shed and wider context.

Environmental considerations have been integrated with the overall design strategy, for example bedding the house into the landscape provides thermal mass, but at the same time ensures the buildings scale does not overwhelm the adjacent cart shed.

Glazing on the circulation hall is aligned due South to benefit from passive heat gains. To manage heat gains a timber trellis spans over the glazing allowing climbing plants to provide shade in the summer and, once leaves drop, natural light and heat gains in the colder months.

Project Credits

Contractors: Firth Construction

Structural Engineer: Donald McIntyre Design

Photography: Mat Price

Beech Trees

Front view of animal centre at night

Beech Trees

Overlooking the Teignbridge estuary and on the edge of Dartmoor National Park this new quarantine facility provides exemplar standards of care for the Mare and Foal sanctuaries rescued horses. The facility was established to manage and maintain the wellbeing of animals across 3 sites. All newly rescued horses pass through the facility before being introduced to the resident herds.

Constructed using sustainably sourced timber and recycled fly ash concrete the quarantine requirements of the facility provided many unique challenges that were overcome through close communication with staff and veterinary specialists across the country.

Carefully linked spaces, robust construction and easily maintainable facilities create light, hygienic and pleasant stables for the horses to stay during periods of quarantine

Close up detail of polycarbonate glazing
contemporary architecture, concrete and timber
Front view of animal centre at night
Larch cladding with metal lettering
Sliding timber board doors
View of veterinary facility entrance