Somerset Barn

Use was made of industrial construction techniques which proved to be exceptionally cost effective as no specialist expertise was required. A steel frame was erected by a local contractor who clad the structure using standard preformed insulated panels. An external skin of Siberian Larch was subsequently applied by a second contractor, allowing the gutters and downpipes to be concealed within the cladding. This simplified detail, together with the addition of wooden screens over window and door openings, produced a crisp and elegantly contemporary building that both blended into the surroundings and stood apart from them.

Internally the walls were clad in ply and plasterboard, and a mezzanine floor was added across one side of the building to provide office and yoga spaces with ample secure storage underneath.

Daylight, supplemented by industrial high bay lighting as/when required, was provided via large translucent ceiling panels as this enabled the maximum useable area of wall space to be maintained. Similarly underfloor heating avoided the need for radiators and other openings in the walls were limited to those required for ventilation and access purposes.