Cotswolds Cowshed | Design Storey

A listed barn in the Cotswolds converted into a unique home.

A restrained material palette and a light touch design approach was used to convertthis grade II listed dilapidated cowshed in the Cotswolds into a modern home whichcelebrates its original use.

The clients, a professional couple in their late 30s, discovered this barn as part of aproperty purchase that included a former farmhouse. Although the property camewith existing planning and listed building consent, the clients felt that the approved design didn't fully meet their requirements. They sought to create a space that wouldserve as a cosy sanctuary, offering a stark contrast to their busy lives in Liverpool andallowing them to unwind during their visits to the Cotswolds.

The barn comprised of a single-storey cowshed and a two-storey bull-pen withhayloft above, these two elements of the building were not linked internally and werelocated on different levels. Our design concept involved sensitively uniting both sidesof the barn by inserting a timber pod structure into the fabric of the listed building.

In designing the space, the clients emphasized the importance of a relaxed and cosyatmosphere. They wanted the barn to feel like a true retreat from their city life,embodying a sense of warmth and comfort. The design achieved this by maintaininga neutral, slightly minimal aesthetic that would not overshadow the main feature ofthe space—the timber pod. To enhance the textural contrast, raw lime plaster wasused on the walls, adding depth and a natural feel to the interior.

The new pod, mitigated the level change and acted as a divider division between thebedrooms and bathrooms as well as housing the new staircase to the first floor.

We had to work hard with the limited space in the two-storey element of the barn,tucking in the master ensuite bathroom in under the eaves and suspending a showerover the stair, creating compact but characterful spaces.

From our clients: "Design Storey helped us convert an old Cotswolds cowshed into ourdream home. From planning the space together, dealing with conservation issuesthrough to appointing builders and overseeing the project, they held our hands eachstep of the way. We now have a beautiful, bespoke home in the heart of theCotswolds thanks to Design Storey"

The choice of materials played a crucial role in creating this atmosphere while alsoaddressing sustainability. The project was approached as a true retrofit, with a strongfocus on reducing embodied energy and preserving as much of the historic fabric aspossible. Durable and sustainable materials such as sheep's wool insulation, limeplaster, and woodwall board were carefully selected to ensure longevity andenvironmental responsibility.  

One interesting construction challenge was the necessity to “lift” the front elevation ofthe single-storey structure to create an entrance into the barn. We believed therewere formerly pad stones located along the front of the barn, which had since beenremoved, causing the front of the barn to drop. We were onsite to observe thecontractor ‘righting’ the trusses to set them in their original position and recorded the’jacking up” of the roof structure in a time-lapse video.

We proposed replacing the missing pad stones, and repairing the bases of the historicelm posts, to reinstate the historic appearance of the barn. This process involved aclose and successful collaboration between ourselves, acting as heritage consultants,the structural engineer and conservation officer.

This careful balance between sustainability and preservation has resulted in a spacethat the clients can truly enjoy, both as a serene retreat and a testament to thoughtful,sustainable design.

Credits: Design Storey, Mann Williams

Photography: Lawrence Grigg