A historic barn renovation at Weston Farm

This project began with an old piggery that had been left untouched for many years. It had become unsafe and derelict, and there was a lot of work to be done to reconceptualise it as a fresh, modern, space. The barn was a long clad building, which Al & Co. decided to deconstruct completely before embarking on the renovation work.

The deconstruction was carried out using traditional methods, and then rebuilt with a combination of existing wood and new wood. The new wood was charred using a Japanese method called Shou Sugi Ban to ensure that it matched the old wood’s colour tone and style. In addition to the striking appearance that this gave the wood, the process also acts as a preservative and prolongs its lifespan.

Al's team did the groundwork, brickwork (including dwarf walls), created the timber frame, insulated it, and tiled the roof with the existing clay peg tiles. The oak-framed windows added a touch of elegance to the barn, reasserting the rustic appeal of natural materials.