van Ellen + Sheryn win LABC award for Best Residential Conversion or Alteration to an Existing Barn

We are excited to announce that our project Leign Farm Barns scooped the 2021 LABC South West Building Excellence Award for Best Residential Conversion or Alteration to an Existing Barn.

The conversion of these two stone heritage barns, dating back to the 16th century, was part of the refurbishment of the farmstead Leign Farm on Dartmoor. The main farmhouse was fully refurbished and extended in 2019. These two barns offer additional living accommodation to our client. This project was a great collaboration with our contractors Goulden & Sons.

Barn 1 was a traditional stone and timber linhay barn. Set into the hillside, it followed the gentle sloping site which made its length drop considerably.  This feature together with the aim to retain the beautiful original granite and timber structure, turned it into a challenging project. The delicate old timber trusses were shored up to hold up the new roof structure. Glazing was inserted in between the original granite columns, so that the traditional open-fronted linhay appearance could be maintained. Inside all the original structure were left exposed to fully appreciate the original character of the building.

Barn 2 was almost entirely rebuilt, as only the granite outside walls of the original building remained. A new modern but minimal roof structure was added.

Both barns offer stunning views over the landscaped garden and across the Dartmoor hills.

For more information or to discuss your own project please contact us or visit the website.

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