Architecture

Stunning Ancient Party Barn blends old with new

Stunning Ancient Party Barn blends old with new
The renovation process took over two years, being fully completed in 2015, and resulted in a remarkable work of luxury residential architecture
The renovation process took over two years, being fully completed in 2015, and resulted in a remarkable work of luxury residential architecture
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Ancient Party Barn includes a cluster of buildings
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Ancient Party Barn includes a cluster of buildings
Liddicoat & Goldhill worked with the clients to blend old and new, playful and practical, industrial chic and residential comfort
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Liddicoat & Goldhill worked with the clients to blend old and new, playful and practical, industrial chic and residential comfort
The home remains sympathetic to its history and the surrounding landscape
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The home remains sympathetic to its history and the surrounding landscape
The renovation of the formerly dilapidated Ancient Party Barn was commissioned by digital designer John Sinclair and fashion designer Deborah Harvey
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The renovation of the formerly dilapidated Ancient Party Barn was commissioned by digital designer John Sinclair and fashion designer Deborah Harvey
The owners are reported to have a penchant for architectural artefacts
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The owners are reported to have a penchant for architectural artefacts
The renovation process took over two years, but resulted in a remarkable work of luxury residential architecture
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The renovation process took over two years, but resulted in a remarkable work of luxury residential architecture
It certainly stands out from the many barn conversions that dot the British countryside
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It certainly stands out from the many barn conversions that dot the British countryside
The interior is finished in high-end materials, both old and new
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The interior is finished in high-end materials, both old and new
The interior measures a total floorspace of 213 sq m (2,292 sq ft)
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The interior measures a total floorspace of 213 sq m (2,292 sq ft)
The home's interior is dominated by exposed wood and stone but this belies the effort that went into keeping things "original"
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The home's interior is dominated by exposed wood and stone but this belies the effort that went into keeping things "original"
The existing green oak framing was painstakingly disassembled, removed and repaired, before being put back into place again
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The existing green oak framing was painstakingly disassembled, removed and repaired, before being put back into place again
While it looks untouched, the main barn's oak frame and cladding is actually supported by a hidden steel exoskeleton
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While it looks untouched, the main barn's oak frame and cladding is actually supported by a hidden steel exoskeleton
Existing green oak framing was painstakingly disassembled, removed and repaired, before being put back into place again
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Existing green oak framing was painstakingly disassembled, removed and repaired, before being put back into place again
A ground-source heat pump is used for hot water and heating
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A ground-source heat pump is used for hot water and heating
To create definition within the main barn's large interior space, Liddicoat & Goldhill installed a mezzanine
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To create definition within the main barn's large interior space, Liddicoat & Goldhill installed a mezzanine
Natural light comes via a long skylight
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Natural light comes via a long skylight
To create definition within the main barn's large interior space, Liddicoat & Goldhill installed a mezzanine
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To create definition within the main barn's large interior space, Liddicoat & Goldhill installed a mezzanine
The barn's interior is dominated by restored original wood
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The barn's interior is dominated by restored original wood
Living in a barn conversion can be a rather dark experience but this one has plenty of glazing
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Living in a barn conversion can be a rather dark experience but this one has plenty of glazing
The mezzanine is accessed by a steel staircase that cantilevers from a tapered brick chimney
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The mezzanine is accessed by a steel staircase that cantilevers from a tapered brick chimney
The lounge area, with mezzanine staircase
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The lounge area, with mezzanine staircase
The mezzanine area and stone chimney
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The mezzanine area and stone chimney
The mezzanine area and stone chimney
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The mezzanine area and stone chimney
The home has plenty of glazing to let in natural light
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The home has plenty of glazing to let in natural light
The home has plenty of glazing to let in natural light
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The home has plenty of glazing to let in natural light
Inside the main kitchen and dining area
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Inside the main kitchen and dining area
The dining area
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The dining area
Looking out toward the small guest annex
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Looking out toward the small guest annex
Ancient Party Barn comprises a cluster of agricultural buildings, most notably an 18th Century threshing barn
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Ancient Party Barn comprises a cluster of agricultural buildings, most notably an 18th Century threshing barn
Ancient Party Barn includes a cluster of buildings
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Ancient Party Barn includes a cluster of buildings
Detail shot of the wooden cladding
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Detail shot of the wooden cladding
The impressive open kitchen area
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The impressive open kitchen area
The kitchen and dining area opens onto the outside
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The kitchen and dining area opens onto the outside
The kitchen area
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The kitchen area
The impressive chimney and staircase
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The impressive chimney and staircase
Detail of the spiral staircase
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Detail of the spiral staircase
Detail of the stone chimney
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Detail of the stone chimney
The industrial mechanism used to open the home to the outside
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The industrial mechanism used to open the home to the outside
The main barn ground floor area
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The main barn ground floor area
An American aircraft hanger door protects the glazed east-facing facade (pictured)
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An American aircraft hanger door protects the glazed east-facing facade (pictured)
The renovation process took over two years, being fully completed in 2015, and resulted in a remarkable work of luxury residential architecture
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The renovation process took over two years, being fully completed in 2015, and resulted in a remarkable work of luxury residential architecture
Toward the guest annex outside
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Toward the guest annex outside
Liddicoat & Goldhill installed large insulated shutters which open to reveal a large glazed area
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Liddicoat & Goldhill installed large insulated shutters which open to reveal a large glazed area
This glazed area (pictured) can be lifted by manipulating an industrial mechanism adapted from a chain lift, thus opening the interior of the home to the outside
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This glazed area (pictured) can be lifted by manipulating an industrial mechanism adapted from a chain lift, thus opening the interior of the home to the outside
Ancient Party Barn boasts very generous glazing
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Ancient Party Barn boasts very generous glazing
Ancient Party Barn comprises a cluster of agricultural buildings, most notably an 18th Century threshing barn
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Ancient Party Barn comprises a cluster of agricultural buildings, most notably an 18th Century threshing barn
The main barn exterior, side-on
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The main barn exterior, side-on
The main barn exterior, side-on
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The main barn exterior, side-on
Ancient Party Barn is situated near Folkestone, Kent, within one of England's official areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
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Ancient Party Barn is situated near Folkestone, Kent, within one of England's official areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Opening the glazed area
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Opening the glazed area
Opening the glazed area
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Opening the glazed area
The glazed area closed and behind the large insulated shutters
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The glazed area closed and behind the large insulated shutters
View gallery - 52 images

Situated near Folkestone, Kent, within one of England's designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Ancient Party Barn is a barn conversion that stands out from the many others which dot the British countryside. Liddicoat & Goldhill mixed old and new, playful and practical, industrial machinery and residential comfort, to produce a stunning luxury home that remains sympathetic to its history and the surrounding landscape.

Ancient Party Barn actually comprises a group of 18th Century agricultural buildings, including a dairy, stables, and, most notably, a large threshing barn. Purchased in a dilapidated state, the renovation was commissioned by digital designer John Sinclair and fashion designer Deborah Harvey. The pair wanted a house that can be secured when empty, but that also opens up to the countryside when appropriate.

Liddicoat & Goldhill fitted large insulated shutters to the home, which open to reveal a generous glazed area. This in turn can be lifted with an industrial mechanism adapted from a chain lift, opening up the interior of the home to the outside.

Similarly, an aircraft hanger door sourced from the US covers the home's glazed east-facing facade. With the throw of a lever, the hangar door concertinas upward, creating a canopy over the newly-exposed dining area. A long skylight also runs along the roof of the main barn area to increase natural light further.

Opening the glazed area
Opening the glazed area

The interior comprises a total floorspace of 213 sq m (2,292 sq ft), and features original wood throughout, though its untouched appearance belies the trouble taken to preserve it. As the existing green oak framing was basically rotten, it was painstakingly disassembled, removed and then repaired, before finally being put back into place again.

The main barn's oak frame and cladding meanwhile, is supported by a hidden steel exoskeleton, and a large mezzanine area is accessed by a steel staircase that cantilevers outward from a tapered brick chimney.

Ancient Party Barn boasts some energy-efficient tech too. A ground-source heat pump produces hot water and heating, while reclaimed light fittings were adapted for low-energy LED lamps. A high-end security and home automation system allows the owners to manage the building's services – including lighting and heating – remotely via an internet connection.

Source: Liddicoat & Goldhill

View gallery - 52 images
1 comment
1 comment
DavidB
What the heck does the name "Ancient Party Barn" mean?