Further information

High Commendation: Barn conversion at Pump Hall, Hethersett

Designer: Heather Longman, Thurlton, Norfolk
Contractor: David Fairhead Builders Ltd, Thurlton, Norfolk

Prior to conversion, Pump Hall was part of a complex of barns at Home Farm, which were disused and in a poor state of repair.

The design brief was to create a three bedroom single storey dwelling in the western part of the complex, retaining the original form and character of the buildings and keeping the integrity of the original materials used which included both brick and clay lump, whilst at the same time creating an energy efficient building.

Internal layout

The internal layout has been designed so that bedrooms benefit from evening sunlight in the western wing. The main entrance hall is also the dining room which connects with the utility areas and the kitchen, leading to the main living room in the east wing.

The scheme retains the large paddock to the rear with a ditch and pond, with a south facing courtyard garden being formed between the wings, which is overlooked by the living room and entrance/dining hall. Roof spaces to the living room and bedroom areas are open with exposed timber king post trusses, which together with full height glazing has created very light and airy internal spaces.

Heating & drainage

Under floor heating is provided from a ground source heat pump and hot water from solar panels on the south facing roof slope above the dining hall. Additional heating can be provided through two wood burning stoves, if necessary, located in the dining hall and living room.

Foul water drainage is taken to a mini-treatment plant discharging into the drainage ditch and the rainwater to the rear is taken into the pond. Water supply is from a borehole.

'High standard of workmanship'

The success of the scheme results from a close collaboration between designer, client and builder and there is clear evidence of attention to detail and a high standard of workmanship throughout. Existing clay lump blocks have been re-used, minimising the need for new ones, along with the use of lime based renders. Roof tiles were replaced with a mixture of red pantiles incorporating black pantiles in a diaper pattern.

Overall the scheme has provided a low cost, low maintenance retirement home, designed to gain maximum comfort and benefit from the original internal spaces and from the aspect and setting of the building.

Commendation: Barn conversion, Prestons Barn, Morningthorpe

Architect: Russell Vincent, Reepham, Norfolk
Contractors: Jeremy Riches & Christopher Percival, Reepham, Norfolk

Formerly part of Hall Farm to the north of the site, Prestons Barn involves the conversion of a redundant barn to a dwelling and the reinstatement of an outbuilding.

This included the rebuilding of the roof to its original pitch over the main part of the barn, rebuilding of the single storey lean to elements on the south side of the barn and rebuilding of an outbuilding to serve as garaging.

The scheme provides a reception hall, sitting room, kitchen/family room, garden room/study, utility room and a full height galleried dining hall. An en-suite master bedroom is provided at first floor level, along with a further three bedrooms and a bathroom.

New materials have been carefully chosen to match the existing, with careful attention to detail along with a high quality of workmanship, which has been achieved throughout the building.

Related pages on this website

• Design Awards 2008: New Building Category
• Design Awards 2008: Existing Building Category
• Design Awards 2008: Landscape Category