Country House Barns

A new agricultural store building and domestic building used for a microbrewery and hobbies in South Warwickshire.

Hayward Smart were appointed by the owners of a country house in South Warwickshire who wanted to redevelop an existing under-used stable yard into a multi-function development. With substantial grounds and limited garaging, a key element was the construction of an agricultural store building which could provide space for the secure storage of vehicles, machinery and materials involved in the upkeep of the property.

Additionally, it was also desirable to have ancillary domestic accommodation away from the main dwelling that could be used for crafts and hobbies, including being set up as a microbrewery. This single storey building sits on the north side of the former stable yard, in the position of the existing stables, adopting a cranked L-shaped form. Hayward Smart worked closely with Stansgate Planning Consultant to successfully obtain permission for the proposed works.

With natural slate to pitched roofs and local stone and timber weatherboarding to the external walls over structurally insulated panels (SIPS), the domestic building is a highly insulated construction that sits well within the local context. Bespoke Oak detailing to internal trusses and a prominent gable express the form and structure.

The agricultural store building is formed of two separate spaces, set perpendicular to each other in a ‘T’ formation on the south of the site. With a linked roof, the separation provides and access way through from the entrance yard to a materials storage yard at the south side of the site. The store buildings are built from a timber frame, clad in vertical western-red cedar boards. Plain clay tiles are used on the pitched roofs to express a subservience if the store building to the domestic building opposite.