Crouchers Farm
Project Type:
Extension
Location:
Sussex
Project Description
Rustic and contemporary, this extension to the barn-style dwelling is confident in its appearance and relies heavily on the use of high-quality ecological materials. The existing building was originally developed by the RIBA chartered architect Nick Wiseman as a self-build family home. The building was designed as a contemporary twist on a traditional barn form.
Built in the 1970′s the building at the time had all the latest technological innovations such as Jablite insulation, which was a very forward-thinking development at this point. With this in mind, the client approached us with the ethos of applying modern principles and technologies integrated within an empathetic manner. The design solution, therefore, had to be equally forward-thinking, whilst being sympathetic to the traditional roots of the dwelling.
Issues identified at the briefing stage included the central space being draughty in the winter and susceptible to overheating in the summer making parts of the building uncomfortable. We also felt that the central core/living area as being inadequate for the client’s needs. We, therefore, proposed the cubic extrusion from the core of the building. These forms had to take into account the orientation of the sun and the overheating issues associated.
Ecotecture designed two timber and glass cubes that will allow light to penetrate deeper into the core of the building. On the external edge of the proposed cuboids, there is an “inverted L” which is clad in Kebony timber cladding on the exposed edge. The Kebony-clad surface wraps up and over the protruding cuboid, in an embracing motion, this is carefully designed to prevent excessive solar gain in the late afternoon and high summer.
Space created in the house extension included an existing hallway which had a leaky window that was extended to provide a dining area with stairs looking over it along with a sunken external patio to create a protected area for seating, as the site is windy.
For this project we have completed the RIBA Stages 1-4.
Stage 1 - Preparation & Brief
Stage 2 - Concept Design
Stage 3 - Spatial Coordination
Stage 4 - Technical Design
Images courtesy of Jim Holden