When five farm buildings were due to be demolished, BXB Studio saw an opportunity. By uniting the five together, the designers created an unconnected and dynamic space. Across 507 sq m, the plot has been reimagined as a modern home with a beautiful landscape and good functionality.
With each barn, the designers played with light and shadow, terrain, existing greenery and infrastructure. Through the use of sunlit glazing shaded with an openwork facade, terrace roofs and dense greenery, the house will not be exposed to excessive sun over summer.
Each of the various barns utilises a different style of wood texture to reflect the individual characters. Though the scattered barns may seem random, the location of each building is based on the position of the sun and the function that the structure provides. For example, the first barn acts as a garage while also separating the house from the road.
The fifth barn accommodates the living area and bedroom with a wooden deck leading to the wilderness. This is where the original barn was situated and the structure aims to recapture the character of its predecessor. Through a corner window, the occupant can observe the entrance area.
The entrance has been enhanced with a new roof which links back to the original ornamentation of the facade and has a red brick interior in a similar style to the original building. Instead of a conventional four walls, the 4th wall in the entrance is fully-glazed and exposes the house to the outside and toward the fireplace terrace.
The other barns which accommodate the children’s rooms and studios have an open facing on one side allowing views of the nearby trees which have been preserved from the original plot.