Contemporary barn conversion in the Cotswolds

Brotherton Barn is a stunning contemporary conversion of a Grade 2 listed detached Cotswold, England stone barn originally constructed circa 1759. The 3,229 square foot structure was designed by The Anderson Orr Partnership, whose clients wished to have an effortless connection between the open plan living area and the secluded master bedroom suite without detracting from the height and volume of the vaulted spaces of the barn.

The second key element for the barn conversion brief was how to design the entrance. With most barn conversions you find giving the building its own distinct entrance difficult because you’re working with the original openings and these tend to be large openings to the sides of the building.

For the principle entrance a single storey element already existed. Both the architects and the client felt they could utilize this element for the entrance by opening up the roof with glazing and inserting a pod which neatly houses the utility and cloakroom. What has been created now gives the approaching visitor a sense of arrival and an idea of what can be expected inside.

More than half the building to the rear section of the barn was lowered into the ground to ensure two storeys could be accommodated within the existing envelope of the barn. In addition the original buttress and stone walls were sensitively repaired and rebuilt; the original roof had also fallen to disrepair and in places collapsed.

To provide the effortless connection between the open plan living area and the secluded master bedroom suite, a floating oak staircase and gallery was designed.

Photographs: David Stewart

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