This project is the conversion of redundant agricultural sheds into two new dwellings. This pair of homes offers a model for those hoping to escape to the country, demonstrating that it is possible to build a high-quality new home without getting bogged down in the complexities of paragraph 79 allowances and exclusions. The site is within the Green Belt in Surrey and received planning consent at the first attempt.

The homes enjoy a fine aspect over agricultural land on three sides and the scale of the former sheds result in generous proportions internally creating an expansive sense of space.  The amenity and outside dining areas are positioned to capitalise on the stunning views.

Primary structures will be retained and repaired, with new roofs and wall cladding supported from a secondary insulated timber frame that will be fabricated off-site and lifted into position in modules. Both homes feature materials that have been selected to usher in a contemporary feel, while echoing the agricultural buildings formerly on site.

The houses will use a heat pump for heating and hot water will draw power from on-site photovoltaic panels with a battery bank.  All the new materials used with have low embodied carbon and combined with the reuse of the existing structure this makes for an exemplar retrofit project.