Example 1: Threshing Barns
The defining Characteristics:
- Long uninterrupted roofslopes and ridgelines.
- Imposing masonry walls with large cart doors but otherwise few openings.
- Large internal spaces usually open to full height with exposed roof timbers.
- Brick patterning, buttresses, plinths, roof parapets, slit windows, and ventilation panels.
- An informal farmyard or field setting.
What makes a successful conversion:
- Avoid alterations such as dormers, rooflights and chimneys which can compromise the simple and uncluttered lines of the building and introduce unwanted domestic character.
- Minimise the number of new openings in walls, whilst utilising the existing openings to full affect; e.g. glazing cart door openings to ‘borrow’ light into adjacent rooms.
- The doors themselves can then be fixed back to the walls to preserve a proper legacy of the opening.
- Keep internal subdivision to an absolute minimum; i.e. by minimising the number of new floors and partitions and opting for an open plan layout. Try and retain internal areas of full height space to reveal the buildings scale and internal spatial qualities.
- When designing open plan layouts consideration needs to be given to ensuring safe egress in the case of fire is achievable. Contact the Building Control team at NNDC for further guidance.
- Avoid any works which rob the building of its architectural features and interest.
- Avoid formal planting schemes and suburban means of enclosure and surfacing which would be visually at odds with the character of the area, or which would separate it off from its context.
- Be mindful of the quantum of glazing proposed to elevations and roofscape to reduce impact on dark skies.
- Ensure ecology is considered at an early stage and protected species surveys have been undertaken.
- Use finishing materials which react to and knit into the prevailing architectural and landscape context.
- Take opportunities to enhance existing hedgerows and improve soft informal landscaping.
Cart door openings need careful treatment if glazed. Robust timber detailing is most successful for such a large simple opening
Arrow slit window offers opportunity to glaze behind and borrow light into internal spaces.
Typical threshing barn
Typical conversion floor plan
Honeycomb ventilation panel - can be fitted internally with inward opening casement window. Gives superb patterns of light and shade.
Large full height opening fully glazed with orginal doors retained and pinned back.