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Architecture

WWII airbase transformed into energy-efficient farmhouse

By James Holloway
June 18, 2013
WWII airbase transformed into energy-efficient farmhouse
Allies Farm by Timber Design
Allies Farm by Timber Design
View 21 Images
The ground level layout of Allies Farm
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The ground level layout of Allies Farm
The appropriately-named Allies Farm in Essex UK was formerly the airbase and shelter at RAF Ridgewell
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The appropriately-named Allies Farm in Essex UK was formerly the airbase and shelter at RAF Ridgewell
Though Douglas Fir has been used in the structure, timber and timber-derived products have been used extensively, including in the building's insulation, floors and, obviously, its exterior cladding
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Though Douglas Fir has been used in the structure, timber and timber-derived products have been used extensively, including in the building's insulation, floors and, obviously, its exterior cladding
Completed last year, the project won both Best Timber Frame Home and Best Interiors awards at the Daily Telegraph Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2012
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Completed last year, the project won both Best Timber Frame Home and Best Interiors awards at the Daily Telegraph Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2012
Thermal efficiency was a high priority from the outset
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Thermal efficiency was a high priority from the outset
The appropriately-named Allies Farm in Essex UK was formerly the airbase and shelter at RAF Ridgewell
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The appropriately-named Allies Farm in Essex UK was formerly the airbase and shelter at RAF Ridgewell
Client Claudia Gray did the interior design
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Client Claudia Gray did the interior design
Thermal efficiency was a high priority from the outset
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Thermal efficiency was a high priority from the outset
Though Douglas Fir has been used in the structure, timber and timber-derived products have been used extensively, including in the building's insulation, floors and, obviously, its exterior cladding
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Though Douglas Fir has been used in the structure, timber and timber-derived products have been used extensively, including in the building's insulation, floors and, obviously, its exterior cladding
The appropriately-named Allies Farm in Essex UK was formerly the airbase and shelter at RAF Ridgewell
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The appropriately-named Allies Farm in Essex UK was formerly the airbase and shelter at RAF Ridgewell
Thermal efficiency was a high priority from the outset
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Thermal efficiency was a high priority from the outset
Client Claudia Gray did the interior design
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Client Claudia Gray did the interior design
Though the Grays were striving for a farmhouse feel to the place, the building retains something of the airbase – particularly with the former tower, which is now the children's bedroom
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Though the Grays were striving for a farmhouse feel to the place, the building retains something of the airbase – particularly with the former tower, which is now the children's bedroom
Allies Farm by Timber Design
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Allies Farm by Timber Design
The appropriately-named Allies Farm in Essex UK was formerly the airbase and shelter at RAF Ridgewell
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The appropriately-named Allies Farm in Essex UK was formerly the airbase and shelter at RAF Ridgewell
Though Douglas Fir has been used in the structure, timber and timber-derived products have been used extensively, including in the building's insulation, floors and, obviously, its exterior cladding
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Though Douglas Fir has been used in the structure, timber and timber-derived products have been used extensively, including in the building's insulation, floors and, obviously, its exterior cladding
One of Allies Farm's bedrooms
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One of Allies Farm's bedrooms
Allies Farm's bathroom
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Allies Farm's bathroom
The appropriately-named Allies Farm in Essex UK was formerly the airbase and shelter at RAF Ridgewell
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The appropriately-named Allies Farm in Essex UK was formerly the airbase and shelter at RAF Ridgewell
B-17 Flying Fortresses in flight
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B-17 Flying Fortresses in flight
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View gallery - 21 images

The appropriately-named Allies Farm in Essex UK was formerly the airbase and shelter at RAF Ridgewell, from where the US Air Force's 381st Bombardment Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses on 296 bombing runs during World War II. Following a conversion masterminded by Cameron Scott of Timber Design, the shelter is now a timber-clad farmhouse, home to the Grays and their three children.

Though surrounded by farmland, the area has always been without a farmhouse proper, though the airbase was apparently adapted to this use following the war. In a sense, then, this conversion is a logical progression.

Though the choice of timber is traditional, it has been combined with a steel tension rod structural system to mitigate some of the limitations of building with the material, allowing the designers and clients to agree the house's layout without restriction. This incorporates an enclosed central courtyard where the children can play outdoors.

Thermal efficiency was a high priority from the outset, and thermal modeling was carried out to optimize the design. The orientation of the windows, the design of the eaves and the construction of the floor were all modified as a result of this analysis. Double and triple glazing has been fitted to maximize thermal efficiency, and it is claimed that Allies Farm will come close to Passivhaus performance.

Thermal efficiency was a high priority from the outset
Thermal efficiency was a high priority from the outset

The building is fitted with a ground source heat pump, a 40 kW photovoltaic array, a solar thermal system and biomass system as sources of energy.

Though Douglas Fir has been used in the structure, timber and timber-derived products have been used extensively, including in the building's insulation, floors and, obviously, its exterior cladding.

Though the Grays were striving for a farmhouse feel to the place, the building retains something of the airbase – particularly with the former tower, which is now the children's bedroom.

Though the Grays were striving for a farmhouse feel to the place, the building retains something of the airbase – particularly with the former tower, which is now the children's bedroom
Though the Grays were striving for a farmhouse feel to the place, the building retains something of the airbase – particularly with the former tower, which is now the children's bedroom

Completed last year, the project won both Best Timber Frame Home and Best Interiors awards at the Daily Telegraph Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2012. Claudia Gray did the interior design.

You can get a sense of the extent of the work, and the before and after, in the video below.

Sources: Timber Design, Rationel
Allies Farmhouse

View gallery - 21 images

Tags

ArchitectureConstructionHouseConversionInterior Design
4 comments
James Holloway
James writes about science and technology from his home in rural East Anglia. Whether it's the internet, nature, video games or AI, he pays particular heed to the flash points with culture, society and the planet.

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4 comments
Arahant
40KW solar system holy smokes. Thats alot of juice for just a family home, they could probably be doing just fine with 6-8kw. Alot of people get 2-4kw and have some other source aswell.
I have a commercial operation thats 40kw and it gives me a good income. I wonder what their powering with that much, or if they are planning on selling power back to the grid.
Amazing home though, as they say in the video it really does suit the property. I like how it has a court yard and is a big house with 5 rooms, really perfect for a big family, im sure those kids will really enjoy growing up on that property.
Has some cool history to, they are lucky home/property owners.
Craig Jennings
Oh my, I'd move in tomorrow.
Slowburn
A working farm use a fair amount of electricity. Also using electric heat even a system as efficient as a ground source heat pump really eats the wattage.
The Skud
I bet the kids love that huge view from the old tower! With that many KW, they should get a return from the power company, that or be completely of-grid to avoid hassles.