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.
Smokebush the Florists occupy the large ground floor cart storage and stables face into the farm courtyard. A hall way from the farm laid with handmade bricks introduces the exposed brick work still with lime wash on it’s walls. The original brickwork creates a lovely contrast against the glowing chestnut coppice lath which produces a warm glow through it’s linen backing and an experiential transition up the stairway into the studio.
The minimally intrusive renovations accentuate the original structure of the cart barn with it’s aged oak trusses and curved brick piers. The Dijon limestone floor is banded and in free length bands laid to mirror the ceiling layout incorporating up-lighting within it. The kitchen area benefits from a stunning extended rooflight which accentuates the exposed brick and stone sink. The second rooflight over the central desk casts natural light deep into the barn. A reclaimed York stone trough serves as a washhand basin in the WC and old workbench creates an island to eat and drink at.
The true focus is the ceiling though. It is both a contmporary feature but with a historical background. Traditionally this lath work with 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 chesnut 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.
For us leaving the chestnut lath exposed as part of the roof structure and cladding the stairway with the same texture, the space is brought to life through the warmth it creates.
Large workshop style doors face onto the newly created terrace with views over the farm, opening up the studio in the summer months to the fresh air and sounds of the farm below. Our large studio space allows us to work collaboratively either around our own designed drawing desk or in our meeting room with bespoke fitted seating within beech joinery. From any point within the workspace there are extending views into the surrounding woodlands and gardens creating a lovely tranquil work space.
