SIMPLY THE BEST

With its alluring minimalistic architecture and equally striking interiors, this former agricultural barn was a worthy winner of a Homes & Gardens Reader Award

- RACHEL LEEDHAM

EXTERIOR

Setting one wall behind a Douglas fir and steel structure created a covered patio. The pond complements the sleek architecture and contrasts with the soft planting. Architecture, John Pardey

With its elegant timber facade, it is hard to imagine this building in its previous iteration as a downtrodden barn housing grain and agricultural machinery. Yet its owners, Marnie and Damian Hopkins, who live here with daughters, Izzy, 20, and Cecily, 18, had spotted its potential a while ago: ‘We lived in the farmhouse on the same land for 14 years and I’d set my sights on developing it,’ Marnie says. ‘The building’s scale was exciting, plus it has amazing views.’

Having begun her career in management consultancy in the construction industry, Marnie’s expertise is now design and project management of residential refurbishments and she had created her own drawings to obtain the initial planning permission. Together with Damian, who works in the fashion industry, she then approached several architects, alighting on John Pardey’s proposal for an arresting external facade made from timber. ‘His design incorporated Douglas fir “fins”, setting back the southwest facing side behind this structure,’ says Marnie. ‘This allowed us to achieve a more domestic scale for the interiors, while retaining the purity of the original lines of the A-frame building.’