The original building was an old Dutch barn in Buckinghamshire. Our clients were committed to creating an eco-friendly home with the lowest possible carbon footprint, so this informed every part of the design. From the beginning, we developed designs in 3D, enabling the owners to visualise and personalise their building at every point of the process.
The Mayfield Barn project qualified as a Class Q barn conversion. As such, under the regulations we had to retain as much of the original structure as possible and work with the building’s existing character – which is why the house’s agricultural origin is still very much in evidence.
This once tired steel and concrete-framed barn has been transformed into a modern, energy-efficient family home, which was recognised by the FMB Awards (Federation of Master Builders) for its design and build excellence.
Creating an eco-build was the number-one priority for the clients. However, as planning did not allow demolition of the original concrete and steel frame, environmental considerations came into play right from the start of the build:
• As it is south-facing, the main glazed face of the Barn is triple glazed with a canopy positioned to offering shade in the summer and allowing solar gain in the winter.
• Re-use of the concrete base and the metal and concrete frame resulted in a significant reduction in new materials manufacturing and transportation, as well as reduced site waste transportation and treatment.
• Mayfield Barn also has a bio-efficient waste system, air source heat pump, EV charging point and low carbon internal fit-out by Barr Kitchens and Barr Joinery (using ultra-low formaldehyde MDF and high-grade ply, thus serving to minimise manufacturing greenhouse gas emissions).
• The challenge of ‘cold bridges’ across the concrete and steel frame was tackled with innovative insulation solutions, as well as the meticulous taping of joints.
Designing sustainably does not mean compromising on materials or aesthetic. For Mayfield Barn, we used the following:
• Black aluminium cladding that both looks fantastic now and will be 100% recyclable at the end of its life.
• Thermo-wood timber cladding, sourced from well-managed and sustainable forests.
• High-performance triple-glazed large format aluminium-framed glazing, which helps to reduce overall heat loss.
• A beautiful concrete floor using thermal mass for heating and cooling.
Materials Used:
Facade cladding: Vieo System standing seam black aluminium cladding, from Euroclad; CA aluminium flashings and CA membrane lined secret gutter, from PJB cladding.
Flooring: Polished Concrete floor, Lazenby
Doors and windows: Bespoke, SQ Line
Interior furniture: Furnishings throughout sourced or made by Barr Joinery, to bespoke designs by Rachele Bowley. Kitchen by Barr Kitchens. Ultra-low formaldehyde MDF and high-grade ply was used throughout to minimise manufacturing greenhouse gas emissions.
Heat pump: Air-source heat-pump, by market-leading Scandinavian manufacturer NIBE.
