We work with the local vernacular and add to it so as to create a dialogue between old and new

Nestled among a collection of historic stone buildings in the dramatic rolling hills of the Lake District, we designed a new apple drying and storage barn for our clients. By combining modern agricultural materials with a high level of craftsmanship, the building feels inherently part of the existing collection of farm structures.

The barn’s timber frame is crafted from Douglas Fir, featuring a blend of traditional mortice and tenon joints alongside elegant steel flitch joints. This frame was craned into position on a cast concrete slab and bund wall, then clad in thin, vertically slatted timber sourced from Ash trees that fell on the client’s land during the 2019 storms. The exterior is completed with low-cost galvanized metal roofing and large barn doors, harmonizing the new structure with its surroundings