Although the 200-year-old barn they had just bought was dark, with damp walls and a small footprint, Emma and Andy Gordon were able to see beyond the structure’s aesthetic challenges.
Emma, an interior designer, visualised converting the barn into a modern home, full of light and space with an open-plan living area on the ground floor and a large ensuite bedroom above. However, the couple faced various hurdles to fulfilling their ambitions for the stone structure.
Drawing on their past experience of renovations and Emma’s business in interiors, along with the help of a good architect and builder, they knew they could turn it around. “We had contacts from our previous projects that we trusted to do a great job, plus a talented architect who would jump through hoops to achieve what we wanted within the constraints of the listed status,” says Emma.
Effectively capturing the stunning surrounding views was a key consideration for the redesign and layout. The couple aimed to make them a focal point from inside the house by incorporating expansive glazing, which would also help to draw masses of light into the property.
However, their desire for large new windows on the south-facing side of the structure had to get past the local planning authority. “Unless I could turn the tiny original opening into a big picture window, the barn would never work as a home – it was a crucial element of the renovation,” says Emma.
Fortunately, Calderdale Council had no objection to the plans, although they did highlight the need for listed building consent and a bat survey – the results of which led to the installation of a sanctuary for the creatures over the sitting room.
The first task was to improve the access drive (which was steep and full of potholes) so that lorries could get to the property easily. Soon, the barn was encased in scaffolding and new window openings cut into the stone, before being temporarily bricked up to keep the barn sealed while the interior was cleared and rebuilt.
The structure’s footprint was actually larger than it appeared at first glance thanks to several extensions that had been added over the years. The stable partitions were taken out and an internal wall was knocked down to open up the space. The ceiling between the stables and hay loft was removed and all the excess rubble taken off-site, apart from the stone and flags, which were recycled into new patio flooring.
The ground floor (which is subterranean on one side) was tanked and a void was retained in the new floor for services to be installed. Keen to maintain the original structure of the barn, once the main support steels were installed the builders created an insulated timber frame internally.
Other major works included a brand new block and beam floor, along with a fresh ceiling, which was built higher than the original to offer sufficient head room on both storeys. “We didn’t want to put too much stress on the heritage structure,” says Emma.
The exterior of the barn was repointed in stages throughout the winter months, and by the time the windows arrived in March the first fix work was done and the barn was taking shape, both inside and out.
Plastering and second fix work quickly followed. The ground floor was screeded, kitchen and bathroom fittings installed and decoration completed. Emma asked the plasterer to leave some of the edges ragged against exposed stonework as a nod to the building’s history.
She has also turned some of the more industrial elements of the building (such as the steel beams) into eye-catching focal features by painting them in a bright hue, for instance. “I love that combination of history, industry and modern design,” says Emma.
Upstairs, one of the main objectives was to retain the full scale and character of the original A-frame beams. However, a conventional ensuite layout would have obscured some of this feature. The best solution was lowered, curved walls for the bathroom and dressing zone opposite so as to leave the timber exposed.
Although the Gordons set out to create an aesthetically pleasing masterpiece, the property still needed to be practical in order to work with the family’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle, as well as being suitable for life with a dog. The wide, open-plan entrance hall and hard-wearing flooring adhere to this, as well as the walled patio area.
Emma’s methodical approach to her role as project manager meant the scheme moved along quickly and efficiently. “Every morning I would meet with the builder over a cup of tea,” she says. “We’d go through everything that was going to be done that day, discuss the previous day’s achievements and ensure he had everything he needed to make good progress. I’d then go out to work and be back in time to make more decisions.
While the adjacent farmhouse was in a decent enough condition for Emma and Andy to live in during the course of this project, there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done to bring it up to speed with 21st century living. So, now that their barn conversion is complete, they are already starting to plan their next venture, which (rather handily) is right on their doorstep.