Minterne Barns
Breathing New Life into a Historic Barn
This transformation of a 19th-century Victorian barn into a family home pairs restoration with confident modern intervention. The design approach retains and repairs the original masonry shell and timber structure, preserving the barn’s character whilst a clearly articulated break marks the transition between the old building and the lightweight, modern addition. Clad in charred Yaki Sugi timber the extension connects to the south-facing amenity through large-format glazing.
Project Director: Sean Daly
Project Lead: Adam Radwanski
Planning Consultant: CL Planning
Status: Planning Pending
Internally, a dramatic vaulted double-height volume anchors the scheme. Once a working barn, this space now forms the social heart of the home, unfolding into the new open-plan layout tailored for flexibility and contemporary family life.
Material choices emphasise contrast and coherence—traditional elements are left exposed where possible, while new insertions adopt a restrained, tactile palette that enhances natural light and warmth. Sustainable strategies include passive solar gain, improved insulation, and minimal demolition, reducing environmental impact and preserving embodied carbon.
This conversion is not a pastiche, but a respectful evolution—demonstrating how architecture can bridge centuries. By honouring the building’s agricultural past and integrating modern domestic needs with precision, the team have crafted a scheme that feels both grounded and renewed.