Whitworth were appointed to undertake the conversion of 2 redundant farm buildings to form new lettable office accommodation, The main barn is a grade 2 listed timber frame barn and the smaller cart lodge was curtilage listed. To convert the 2 building required considerable renovation works, with both buildings requiring extensive repairs. The Cart Lodge was completed as phase 1.
The larger Black Barn formed phase 2 and required extensive timber repairs. A number of these repairs were undertaken using oak and traditional methods however a series of re agricultural metal strapping repairs were also undertaken, it was considered that these were in keeping with the nature of the barn and true to its heritage. Brick plinth repairs and repointing were also undertaken.
The barn was completely re-roofed with large sections of asbestos sheet roofing replaced with slate. To retain the original barn openings large glass screens were incorporated, letting light into the workspaces and also retaining the external aesthetic of the barn. Existing lean to-s were in a poor state of repair and these were either demolished and rebuilt or repaired These now house new meeting rooms and the service areas, including the staff break out areas, kitchenette and WCs. The rear service wing lean to has a zinc roof and large roof light to add a contemporary agricultural twist to the overall design. A benefit of the lean-to housing these space is that it has allowed the main barn to be kept as a single open plan space, retaining the proportions of the original. Both the walls and roof have been insulated externally which has allowed the timber frame to be preserved internally creating a stunning interior, for which a bespoke lighting design has been produced.
