Farm House
By way of contrast, this project included the refurbishment of a dilapidated grade 2 listed farmhouse, with the listed section being converted to an indoor swimming pool and gym. Extensive two storey extensions to provide a substantial individual dwelling set within an established woodland. A relative light touch in terms of internal finishings in keeping with the brief.
The Challenge
Silwood Farmhouse is situated in the grounds of the Silwood Park Estate in Sunninghill. The existing buildings are a complex of grade II Listed buildings, built over time and physically linked. The existing buildings were in very poor condition, in part structurally unsafe, currently uninhabited and incapable of occupation,
CSK Architects were appointed by Imperial College to prepare a restoration and development plan for the buildings to bring the buildings back into use, to create a single occupancy residential building with a common conjoined use. The Brennan Group were awarded the contract to deliver the project. The surrounding area of the site, owned by Imperial College, has an academic research usage with the farmhouse located towards the centre of the site surrounded by woodland and adjacent to a lake. There are a number of listed buildings attached in series to the dwelling; these are all ancillary to the main house. The intention was that each of these is utilised within the design to provide a full and cohesive usage ancillary to the whole development. The following is a summary of work carried out :
Solution
The Timber Barn: This is a 17 century barn constructed with a timber frame with timber cladding built off a brick plinth. There is a clay tiled roof over. The floor of the barn is compacted earth. The barn is physically connected to the main house, party walls are shared.
- To create a direct access from the house into the barn
- To restore the barn by carrying out the necessary structural works as directed by the structural report.
- To insulate and refurbish the barn within the existing structure
- To carry out minor external alterations
- To construct a swimming pool within the centre of the plan, independent of the existing walls.
The Works
The Stables & Hayloft: This building is physically related to the 17th century barn and shares a party wall. The hayloft is structurally unsafe. The design strategy was:
- To create a direct access into the pool room (barn).
- To refurbish and restore the existing structure in accordance with the recommendations of the structure report.
- To refurbish the building within the existing structure.
- To re-lay and level the cobble floor.
- To service the building.
- To create an open space for use as a family gym, exercise and leisure space.
Single Storey Small Barn:
This building is a small barn, sub divided into two spaces. It is constructed adjoining the stables, there is brickwork to both ends, framed brick at the rear and timber frame at the front. The building was in poor structural condition. The intention is to use this building as the garage and plant room ancillary to the adjoining buildings. The design strategy was:
- Carry out the necessary structural works in accordance with recommendations of the structural report.
- To refurbish the building.
- To secure the building.
- To change the south elevation with the incorporation of new timber frame designed to complement the existing retained structure.
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