East designed a new single storey house and holiday let flats for a private client in Cornwall.

The project faced several challenges. One of these was the unwillingness of the Council to allow the existing barn to be demolished, even though much of it, a single storey shed, was constructed of little else than blockwork and a tin shed. This meant that the plan had to closely follow the existing footprint.

Care was therefore taken to wrap a new generous granite cloak around the building perimeter, and to add to the layering with new black concrete footways around the edge of the building, and within. The plan is organised around a shaped corridor to sustain spatial continuity between the large dining and kitchen area and the bedrooms, and enable the corridor itself to be useful as a social space.

Natural materials were used throughout, including special hardwood timber doors and windows, and oak roof trusses. A ground source heat pump makes use of the hidden resources of the land to sustain energy. A long strip of photovoltaic panels is discreetly applied to the southern elevation, enhancing the asset of the existing footprint; it’s length.

At the holiday lets, and within the main buidling, a mezzanine arrangement is made possible, enabling upper bedrooms, storage, and studio spaces.

The client has self-built much of the building, and in doing so, has earned the interest and respect of the Local Authority.

Location: St Buryan, Cornwall

Client: Private

Project status: Completed