COURTYARD HOUSE
New dwelling, Kent
West St Studio with Sophie Campbell Architects
2021 -
New dwelling, Kent
West St Studio with Sophie Campbell Architects
2021 -
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Conversion of two steel-framed buildings in the Kent countryside to created a new single storey, four bedroom house arranged around an enclosed courtyard.
The house been designed to retain the distinctive agricultural form of the existing barns including the low-slung roof profiles, generous openings, and internal steel frame. Working with the position of the buildings on the site and their existing orientation, much of the design approach has involved building a narrative around how the new house will be approached, entered, and how the landscape beyond is gradually revealed.
The internal layout is based around the existing structural grid with large amounts of the space open plan so that the impressive portal frame is prominent. Living spaces are located in the larger barn to take advantage of the generous proportions and expansive views, while the smaller building contains four bedrooms, three of which face south to a new wildflower meadow replacing large areas of hardstanding, with the master bedroom facing west towards the setting sun. The two buildings will be connected by a lightweight glazed link. The space between the two buildings has been enclosed to form a courtyard, with its constrained width increased by creating an external loggia from the footprint of the large barn. The fields and views to the north are screened with planting on approach and only revealed upon entering the living spaces. The external treatment of both buildings reflects their agricultural character using local material including Kent Ragstone and charred timber. 
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