Jackdaw Barn

Class Q conversion of a stone barn into a stunning holiday home. Jackdaw Barn is a sensitive conversion of a former pigsty into a three-bedroom home for a private client.

The design celebrates and enhances the inherent beauty of the existing barn, retaining its simple, timeless character while introducing carefully considered contemporary interventions. Large oak trusses and oak-framed picture windows provide structural and visual interest, while minimalistic glazing and untreated oak detailing reinforce the building’s natural material palette. Feature splash lighting highlights key internal moments, creating a warm and inviting interior.

Sustainability was central to the project, with the use of renewable technologies including solar panels, an air source heat pump, a borehole water supply, and water recycling. Natural materials such as Diathonite insulating plaster were specified throughout, combining thermal performance with ecological sensitivity. Underpinning and structural upgrades were carefully integrated to support the conversion while preserving the barn’s character.

The result is a home that balances functional modern living with timeless rural charm, rooted in its historic form and landscape.

LOCATION: Shirwell, Dorset

CONSTRUCTION VALUE: Undisclosed

STATUS: Completed

STAGE OF INVOLVEMENT: Full Architects’ Services