The Byre

The clients had a limited budget but a desire to spend the money on natural, breathable materials where possible. It was agreed from the outset no new external openings would be formed to reduce cost but also to ensure the character of the old byre was retained. Works began with installing a new limecrete floor with under floor heating throughout, sitting on a bed of glapor recycled foam glass insulation. These products working together allow the floor to breathe and prevent rising damp in old buildings as well as eliminating the use of cement in the construction. On the walls we applied a 60mm coat of Diathonite natural cork and clay insulation which is sprayed directly onto the existing stonework. This provides a natural, breathable insulation suitable for a historic building whilst also achieving a regulatory compliant u-value. Aesthetically the cork plaster creates a rough textured wall surface that softly wraps around openings and undulations of the existing stone walls, which helps to retain the age and character of the building. The walls are finished with a coat of lime-wash to give a warm natural colour palette. 

All the joinery was built using Douglas Fir from the local sawmill and then stained to retain the grain of the timber. Even the steps down to the living room were formed using big slabs of Douglas Fir, which was quick, cost effective and worked well with the material palette. Polished Caithness worktops were used for the kitchen and bathroom surfaces whilst externally we used unfinished Caithness slabs as paving alongside the original cobblestones which we found under layers of vegetation. External openings were simply glazed using locally made Accoya timber double glazed windows, set back deep within their openings to allow the old byre door joinery to be retained. The overall effect is to keep the building looking as original as possible from the outside whilst internally creating a warm, natural and light filled interior that still retains the character of the original byre.