case study

After advising our client to secure an option to purchase this derelict agricultural building, subject to planning, our initial appointment was to explore concept design options and advise on the likelihood of getting a positive planning outcome. 

The site was Curtilage Listed and within a Conservation area meaning that particular attention needed to focus on a sensitive conversion with minimal impact on the setting of the adjacent Listed Farmhouse. Our clients wanted to adopt the principals of PassivHaus within the design, meaning a super insulated and airtight building envelope which optimised renewable technology was essential. The challenge was to incorporate such modern day standards into the conversion of this dilapidated shell whilst remaining sympathetic and complimentary to the original form.  

As the project progressed, the local Planning Authority, Parish Council and immediate neighbours were engaged as part of extensive consultations. With our clients wishing this to be their forever home, knowing that they were starting off in the right vein was important and each party was given the opportunity to view and comment upon proposals throughout the pre-planning stages. With the principals of the scheme finalised and support established, our attentions moved on to the preparation and submission of a comprehensive Full Plans planning application.

Eight weeks later and upon the granting of planning permission we were asked to provide a set of Building Regulation and tender documents. Our clients wanted the assurance of a fixed sum contract and a detailed suite of technical details, specification and visualisations ensured that this would be the case. LSAD introduced and worked closely with third party consultants such as Structural Engineers, Ecologists and SAP Assessors to ensure that the project met all planning and building regulation requirements. This information formed part of a pre-construction pack and assisted in negotiating a contract with a local building contractor. 

Taking this time at the pre-construction stage was invaluable and avoided the need for an extensive number of provisional sums and unknown risks within the contract. Whilst this process required early consideration with all aspects of the build, it ensured that nothing was left to interpretation or that the resulting product did not suffer as a consequence. 

LSAD were delighted to work with our client through the construction phase of this project, providing Contract Administration services and further architectural input. 

The resulting home is one of a kind. It affords a wonderful living environment within a space which responds to the specific family needs whilst retaining the character and identity of the original barn. High in quality and low in running costs, it delivers against every aspect of the brief.