Adaptive re-use of existing structure as new house within designated Greenbelt.
An existing dilapidated structure is to be converted into a contemporary five bedroom home. The proposal gained Planning Consent in rural Northumberland via a planning policy approach to redevelop a structure of the same scale, massing and volume as existing buildings occupying the site.
The new home will have plenty of light within the interior through large glazed openings overlooking the beautiful landscape. A simple linear building form echoes traditional agricultural buildings in order to blend into the open landscape.
Internally, the house is organised to locate all secondary / circulation spaces towards the Northern / roadside in order that this aspect can be relatively simple and agricultural in character. Living spaces with larger glazed openings are orientated towards the more private open fields. A single large opening to the lounge space is to be set back within the building volume to provide a sheltered outdoor space.
The design strategy for re-use of the old saw mill includes retention of the principal structural frame and envelope together with incorporation of existing window and door openings as far as possible. The open steel roof trusses are to be cleaned and exposed within the building interior.
The existing building envelope is to be over-clad with breathable insulation and finished externally with ventilated vertical timber cladding.
Additional insulated linings to the interior will complete a thermally efficient / air tight building envelope which, by virtue of substantial retention of existing fabric, represents a low embodied energy solution and a highly sustainable reuse of an existing structure.
