Courtyard Barns
A Contemporary Take on the Historic Farmstead
Courtyard Barns, located in rural Dorset, reinterprets the timeless farmstead layout within a contemporary framework. Securing planning permission in mid-2024, the project will replace a dilapidated steel barn with a thoughtfully designed family home, complete with a barn, four-bay garage, and natural swimming pond. Commissioned by a private client, the design responds to the need for a functional family dwelling that integrates seamlessly into its countryside setting, delivering energy efficiency and biodiversity enhancements.
Project Director: Derek Williams
Project Leads: Lotta Woodland, Noah Harper
Planning Consultant: Blue Town Planning
Status: Planning Granted
The design pays homage to traditional agricultural forms. The arrangement of buildings around a central courtyard not only reflects this heritage but also promotes functionality and intimacy while fostering a strong connection to the outdoors. Recessive glazing, a sedum roof, and a natural swimming pond ensure the home sits lightly in its environment, blending tradition with innovation. By pairing modern design with historic references, the design tells a story of continuity and reinvention.
A clean-lined, two-storey dwelling replaces the outdated steel barn, whilst the additional structures house garaging and agricultural storage. The massing is intentionally restrained, with low rooflines and a flat sedum green roof minimising visual impact.
Innovative construction methods, such as prefabrication, have been proposed to deliver a low-energy build. Detailed technical information ensures a streamlined construction process, whilst the green roof contributes to insulation and ecological performance, all of which contribute to the sustainability of the build.
The building utilises passive solar design principles, optimising orientation and plan layout to harness sunlight for heating and cooling. Solar panels and an air source heat pump further minimise long-term energy consumption.