Butterfly Barn / Andrew Hughes Architects

A Permitted Development (Class Q) barn conversion into an unusual 4-bedroom house. Known originally as Blue House barn but rapidly renamed as Butterfly barn after we retained the original roof profile. This is one of our many successful projects with Nest Development. 

Architects: Andrew Hughes Architects
Location: Bradfield, Essezx, England
Photography: Taran Wilkhu

The external facing material is clad with a unifying random width vertical Siberian larch. The vertical pattern on the cladding emphasizes the height of the two wings of the butterfly form. 

We retained the steel frame and left it exposed at a number of points. For example, a steel column is seen in front of the sliding window in the living room which is recessed into the building. 

We played with the shape of the window openings all of which provide a sense of reassurance and comfort grounding the building. We allowed just one tall slot window to provide sharp contrast and a sense of intrigue. It reminds us of the deceptive volume and height incorporated within. 

The form of the building naturally split the plan into two between the private spaces (bedrooms, bathrooms, and snug) and the open-plan public spaces (kitchen, dining, and lounge). 

The main entrance is into the spine of the building where the ceiling is at its lowest point. This corridor forms the core of the building drawing visitors into the main space and providing at its midpoint an oversized sliding door that leads into the private spaces.