Abnash View

The project began by challenging the status quo: could a new build outperform the approved conversion of a defunct stable? The original frame was compromised, dark and thermally weak, so building anew let us orient the home to valley views and long-term efficiency.

Material reuse was central to minimising site impact.

By dismantling the barn rather than converting it, we adopted a circular approach, salvaging the steel frame, repurposing blockwork into retaining walls, reusing hardstanding as hardcore, and integrating excavated spoil into the landscape, avoiding lorry movements and embodied carbon.

The single-storey plan responds to topography and light. Living spaces face south and southwest, with a covered terrace linking indoors and out year-round.

Modern life often distances us from nature's rhythms. Good architecture reconnects us to the seasons, air, and light, restoring balance.

The home follows Passivhaus principles, with a super-insulated timber frame, solar PV, air-source heat pumps and battery storage achieving net-zero operation. Roof overhangs and a reflecting pond provide passive cooling, while wildflower meadows support biodiversity.

Abnash View shows that a climate-conscious new build, rooted in material reuse, can be lighter on the land, richer in experience, and built to last.