North Week Barn, Chulmleigh

Detailed planning permission has been granted for the transformation of a traditional stone and cob Devon barn into a stunning country home.

Full use has been made of the gently sloping site with spectacular views out onto the surrounding rolling landscape. A large vaulted family kitchen room opens out onto a south facing covered veranda.

Within the overall volume of the barn there are a variety of stepping floor plains that interlink and connect with the garden terraces.

A ‘seasonal wall’ is positioned between the double height lounge and the rest of the house. This unique feature allows the house to be either ‘opened up’ or ‘hunkered’ down to respond to the time of year or weather conditions.

The original stone plinth and retained areas of cob walling are subtly integrated into the reconfigured elevations creating a pleasing composition of traditional and contemporary details and materials.

This super low-energy building will benefit from very high levels of insulation and low air-permeability. The house will be heated by an air source heat pump which will be aided by a large array of photovoltaic energy cells.

The existing traditional hedges and meadow grasses will be retained and enhanced to create a bio-diverse and verdant setting for this highly sustainable home.