Costessey Barn

Costessey Barn – Listed Barn Conversion

The client approached us for a minimal contemporary scheme for their Grade II Listed barn in South Norfolk. The barn had been partially converted to a more standard ‘boxed’ configuration where small rooms and standard ceilings masked the feeling and character of the existing spaces.

As architects we redesigned the scheme to recognise the barn’s existing open characteristics and propose a modern open-plan living space to maximise the volumetric potential. Throughout we were mindful that we were not designing a new house but an old brick hay barn in which people wish to eat, sleep, live and enjoy.

We gained listed approval to sensitively introduce high levels of insulation to the walls floors and thatched roof while maintaining the barns historic and breathable construction.

We were also able to prepare a listed building specification in conjunction with a sustainable and modern building technique which was also acceptable to the bats.