On our Alderley Edge Farm this 19th century cart barn has been renovated into a contemporary architecture studio. The space blends our contemporary ethos with character of the cart barn.
This traditional red brick barn has historically been used as stables for Lord Stanley’s cart horses which transported stone from a small nearby quarry into Alderley Edge. Since moving in it has seen a full refurbishment of it’s upper floor into the perfect drawing office with dramatic openings for natural light and a series of dynamic spaces for our Architect’s practice including a kitchen, meeting room and a garden roof terrace.
The true focus is the ceiling. It is both a contemporary feature but with a historical background. Traditionally this lath work would be the preparation to a ceiling before it was lime plastered. Real lime plaster has been used in the meeting room but along all the ceilings linen fabric can be seen between and through the hand split timber laths that line the ceiling. The chestnut used for this whole installation was only coppiced as opposed to felled and so could provide a further source of timber once it is re-grown. We are keen to ensure sustainability and keeping a traditional craft and an old woodland alive in Suffolk thriving feels good.