Dutch Barn

Langport, Somerset

This Dutch Barn conversion was, until recently, a working agricultural building. The owners approached O2i Design to convert the space into holiday accommodation. The barn, tucked away on a working farm, enjoys gorgeous views of the Somerset countryside.

Changes to Permitted Development (PD) Rights introduced in April 2014 have transformed the landscape for anyone wishing to undertake a barn conversion in England. Further amendments to PD Rights have opened up the option of Dutch Barn conversions in the right circumstances. This Dutch Barn conversion is still one of the few in the South West.

The height of this Dutch Barn meant that it could easily accommodate two storeys. In this instance, the building stayed true to the aesthetic of the original barn and rural environment. The scale of the building lent itself naturally to open-plan layouts. This barn retained the original fabric of the building and combined all the elements for modern open-plan accommodation.

Curved timber roof trusses replace the barrel-vaulted roof. Ply sheets create a continuous curve to the roof to give it a streamlined appearance while maintaining the rural feel. The result is a roof that perfectly suits the building form and is cost-effective and quick to install. Locally sourced vertical timber provides the building cladding, and specialist timber and aluminium “Rationel” windows offer a low-maintenance, high-performance glazing solution. If you wish to find out more, look at their website here.