Modern Barn Conversion
Design by UBER share the creative process behind their conversion, awarded ‘The Best Private Residential Interior Design in the UK’ at the highly prestigious International Property Awards
THE BRIEF
In light of Design by UBER’s recent award win, we caught up with the MD, Simon Evans who immediately saw potential to take this property on as his own personal project. “My vision was to remodel this modest Grade II listed former barn with a dated interior and turn it into a remarkable home fitted with super-luxurious touches at every turn whilst nurturing the full period character of the property.” Simon explains his bold idea; a complete reconfiguration to better incorporate the scenic hill-top views, (by creating a glass ‘box’ kitchen extension) whilst modernising and fully realising the period potential. The upper floors were to be fully rethought to better accommodate a modern family in a characterful living environment.
EMBRACING THE CHARACTER & IMPLEMENTING A BRAND-NEW LAYOUT
One issue they came across was the first floor room layout, as it was in an awkward configuration and didn’t make for easy modern living. They also knew that the old structure of the building would potentially restrict or even make certain desirable materials like marbles impossible to be incorporated into the designs due to the risk of the weight involved. “To overcome this obstacle we came up with a solution of building an internal steel framework which allowed all the original beams and character features to be fully displayed without continuing to act as a load-bearing structure.
This left the outer walls to be a full character facade internally and externally.” Simon.
With regards to the upper floor layout, it needed to be rethought entirely to make better use of the space. They achieved this by sacrificing the multiple smaller rooms for fewer, larger en-suite bedrooms. They also utilised the existing roof space which became a separate upstairs lounging area for each en-suite bedroom.
SCENIC KITCHEN RELOCATION
Another stumbling block they came across was the planning permission for the new glass kitchen extension and garage conversion. The kitchen was originally located at the far end of the property in a dark and small space, where there was very little natural light as well as low hanging ceilings which ultimately made the space appear smaller. The vision was to make the kitchen the heart of the home and relocate it towards the other end of the house where it would be positioned in a new vaulted extension. It would be connected to the original part of the house by a glass link which now gives it a spectacular vantage point to take in the wonderful wildlife that roams through the idyllic Cheshire countryside as well views across the River Dane. A charcuterie was also incorporated in the divide space between the two-glass entrance ‘tunnels’ to the main original house which adds a unique yet impressive element to the space.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
“There aren’t many properties that command such an elevated position within their own land which in turn provides a wonderful lifestyle. It was obvious to me that I needed to do everything I could to capture that view within the design of the home” Simon, the MD of Design by UBER was absolutely thrilled with the finished result. It is not only a very considered layout crammed with clever interior ideas, but it was also designed using his years of knowledge within this industry. This home has now been recognised by the highly prestigious International Property Awards for having ‘The Best Private Residential Interior Design’ in not only Cheshire but it also went on to win for the whole of the UK.
A truly outstanding double award win for Design by UBER on this project. It just highlights that every aspect of this property and the attention to detail hasn’t gone unnoticed by an esteemed industry-judged panel.
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