a r c h i t e c t u r e
Oak Tree Barn
Passivhaus, Residential New Build, Conversion
Oak Tree Barn has exceeded all of our expectations. From exceptionally humble beginnings as an unloved corrugated steel clad agricultural structure used for housing farming machinery, the new dwelling created still evokes the feel of a rural barn in open countryside. Yet it now exudes contemporary detailing from its Shou-Sugi Ban charred Larch cladding through to architraves and skirtings defined only by shadow gaps and original exposed steel framework throughout the light and airy interior.
Materials used from the timber cladding through to the CorTen naturally corroded steel of the suspended contemporary entrance canopy still feel very much hand crafted, soft looking and tactile in their collective appearance, enabling the once harsh and industrial barn to now feel truly domestic.
The contemporary appearance is only half of the success of this project. Our exceptionally inspiring and forward thinking clients drove this project to be a fully certified PassivHaus compliant dwelling.
The South and West facing fenestration features automated self-ventilating operation and coordinated external shading by way of concealed louvre cassettes tucked into the reveals above windows and doors. Linked to a Loxone smart building network, the building adjusts itself without need for user input to ensure year-round climatic balance in conjunction with the MVHR system and automated roof lights. The solar array on the beautiful Zinc roof generates income, making the building near carbon-neutral in operation.
