Barn Conversion with Loft Bedroom & Sitting Room

In the rural village of Diggle, Oldham, we converted a series of adjoining derelict barns into a luxury home with a loft style bedroom and sitting room.

With detailed planning, we maximised the internal space and blended the original structure with modern features to create a contemporary style using an attractive mix of traditional and modern features that visually work together.

Barn Conversion Design Ideas

We designed the interior rooms to maintain a clear distinction between new structural features and the original.

Stylistically, this contrasts the two styles so in the barn you can see natural stone walls and roof timbers sit along-side alongside contemporary features such as skylights and bespoke floating staircase.

 

We installed modern polished concrete walls and seating; oak doors, floors and floating oak covered steel stairs; and glass features such as balustrade, windows and shower side.

Together, the barn features compliment each other, but they can be appreciated separately for the quality of preservation, new materials and design detail.

Structural Changes

The barn is located in a Green Belt area so working to strict planning regulations to maximise the internal area, we raised the roofline of the three smaller barns, and in one of these lowered the floor level to create an second storey. This became the en-suite bedroom.

We increased the barn volumes by 30% without drastic change to the external appearance of the property. In the taller barn, a second floor was more conventionally constructed. The sitting room upstairs contains has many original features serving to reference the history of the barn.

Loft Sitting Room

The loft sitting room has a double height, vaulted ceiling incorporating the original (sandblasted) roof timbers that add character. Other original features include a portion of exposed stone wall and the top of the arched stone doorway, which is glass partitioned.

Planning regulations restricted additional windows so six strategically positioned Velux skylights in the roof flood the room with natural light. Well-placed spotlights provide gentle indirect lighting and highlight the ceiling and original roof timbers.

Bedroom with En-Suite

The spacious loft style double bedroom has a fabulous bespoke window pointing to the apex of the roof.

The effect is to lifting the eye and allow in natural light. Two additional skylights help illuminate the room. The natural light and window style make the bedroom feel light and spacious.

Even after-dark, dimmable down-lights provide controllable light to maintain the experience of intelligent lighting design.

The contemporary en-suite has a clear glass walk-in shower that allows the view into the room. The shower is grey tiled on floor and wall to draw the eye and a contrasting white basin and toilet float from the wall. The floor therefore remains uncluttered, adding to the general feeling of space in the room.

A towel radiator and heated mirror compliment the chrome fittings and an extractor and Velux roof window provide ventilation when needed.

Space Efficient Design

A key challenge in this barn conversion was working within two restrictions - the barn structures and the Green Belt requirements which limited the extension to 30% added volume. Detailed planning and design meant that neither influenced too greatly the living area or style of home needed.

This exciting transformation from derelict barns to spacious contemporary home is one that continues to delight the owner and his family.

Second storey

Adding a second floor in two of the barns created the most floor space, however there are other design features designed into the fabric of the house that are not readily apparent.

Mezzanine floors

Mezzanine floors in the children's bedrooms create interesting play areas where toys can also be stored.

Ground source heating

Under floor heating frees walls from radiators, increasing available space. Easily controllable and from an underground source, the heat is limitless, economical in the medium term, and environmentally friendly sourced.

Bespoke staircase

The stairs are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. Using floating treads and a glass balustrade the design and materials allow light and line-of-sight through the components. The dogleg design is space efficient and overall, the staircase adds lightness and character to the barn.

Contemporary Living

Raising the roofline to add the loft rooms is just a small part of this extensive barn conversion, however they demonstrate the design vision and considerations we use when creating a luxury home and the contemporary, professional finish we could bring to your loft.

Design and Planning

When physical and legal boundaries need to be observed, the understanding that Boarshurst brought to the project with regard regulations and design vision helped the project reach the successful outcome on time and budget.

Many design ideas were reviewed and worked through and brochures consulted once the property was surveyed. We then drew up extensive architectural plans to show the internal layout and dimension of rooms, the building materials and methods of construction used.

These drawings were further modified to meet family and planning requirements. Full architectural plans were submitted and Planning Permission given before the build began.

The barn development utilises latest building methods and materials, such as:

• Design sympathetic to the local environment
• Design utilising original features
• Heating system
  • environmentally friendly underground source
  • economical
  • space efficient
  • feature fireplaces
• Insulation to high current standards in roofs and walls
• Bespoke features
  • timber framed double glazed windows
  • floating staircase design
  • oak flooring, doors and skirting
• Integrated electrics
  • lighting
  • entertainment
  • audio systems
• High quality fittings and appliances
• Solid oak or tile flooring
• Solid wooden doors
• Natural light maximised using skylights and existing windows

The building phase of the entire conversion project (not shown - please contact us directly for details) took 20 weeks and a guide price is £250,000.

Click for more information about loft conversions or to see more Boarshurst examples visit Boarshurst.co.uk

Price guide
Contact
0844 562 5880

Converting Attic Lofts in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire