A thoughtful vision was needed for the reimagination of ‘The Cowshed’, an 18th-century sandstone barn in Gloucestershire that had fallen into serious disrepair. Once used to house livestock, the oak-framed building was threatening collapse when purchased by a couple determined to transform it into a unique holiday home in the Cotswolds.
Heritage consultants and architects Design Storey explain that their guiding philosophy was “to retain the maximum amount of historic fabric while preserving the legibility of the original building.” The project achieves this through a carefully considered approach to adaptive reuse that is environmentally sustainable, sensitive to heritage and aesthetically compelling.
A new floorplan derived from the old
The barn’s original layout, with a single-storey cowshed and an adjacent double-storey bulls’ shed with a hay loft, formed the basis of the new floorplan. A central timber pod connects the once separate spaces and houses a stairwell, its wooden cladding continues throughout the home. The single-storey section accommodates an open-plan kitchen and living area that opens to the yard, while bedrooms and bathrooms occupy the double-storey space.
Raising the roof
Structurally, the team carefully realigned sunken trusses and raised the eaves to their original height, retaining the historic timber and supporting posts with existing padstones. Missing padstones were replaced, and elm post bases repaired to reinstate the barn’s original appearance. The failing asbestos roof was replaced with durable metal sheeting, and the reuse of original timbers, combined with low-impact natural finishes, minimised embodied energy and material waste.
Sensitive interventions
The barn’s solid masonry walls were both a defining feature and a constraint: their breathable finishes and listed status meant interventions had to be sensitive, while the original local stone, no longer readily available, made preservation essential. Early consultation with the conservation officer ensured that the barn’s authentic character was retained, with stonework left exposed wherever possible to highlight its historic fabric.
Reuse and repair
The approach to materials and finishes was guided by repair, reuse and sustainability. Stone salvaged from new openings was reused for local repairs, and original elm boards were repurposed as a screen. Internally, the ceiling was constructed from locally made sustainable wood wallboard with breathable lime plaster, while FSC-certified oak boarding was used for the flooring. Sheep’s wool insulation was added for its renewable, non-toxic thermal properties, supporting both energy efficiency and indoor air quality. Together, these choices create a warm, low-impact interior that preserves the barn’s historic character while providing a contemporary living environment.
Is the most sustainable building one that already exists?
The Cowshed’s sustainability and conservation credentials have been formally recognised. In 2025, it received a RIBA Regional Award, including a Conservation Award, with jurors noting the careful retention and reuse of historic fabric and minimal intervention. More broadly, the project demonstrates that sustainability does not always require new technologies or materials, but can be achieved by working thoughtfully with what already exists.
