Category: Thinking Buildings

Thinking Buildings are currently working on proposals for the conversion a complex of existing barns in the Cotswolds.

The barns are located in open countryside, and while not associated to an adjacent listed farmhouse, the setting is still sensitive and the proposals reflect this. The scheme will convert this barn into the main living space, with a en-suite bedroom to a partial upper floor, and the single storey to the left becoming a wing of bedrooms. To the rear of these barns there are some further single storey barns that will provide guest accommodation, garaging and a home office.

We’re looking forward to sharing the proposed design renders, once we have submitted this for planning approval.

We had some fantastic pre-Christmas news about this project. Planning consent has been granted for a contemporary, minimally designed, rear extension, to a lovely Oxfordshire Farmhouse. We had no planning conditions or objections for this scheme, despite it being in a conservation area, which is a great outcome for our clients. This highlights the importance of providing clear drawings, 3D visualisations, and providing a thorough and well composed Design & Access Statement which allows you to ‘tell the story’ and the architectural reasoning behind the proposals. This also gives planning officers confidence to support the scheme. We are looking forward to moving this project on to the technical stages later this year.

We start 2023 with this exciting project which is about to be submitted for planning approval. This scheme is for a number of new holiday lets as part of the farm’s diversification to generate other income streams alongside the client’s core agricultural business. It includes 1, 2 and 3 bed units and communal, social, and utility spaces within the main front building, which will form the focal point on arrival. The properties will be accessed via the landscaped courtyard, with private amenities to the south side. The building form is simple and traditional, to match the other buildings on the site, but with contemporary touches and detailing. More news to follow on this one as it moves through the planning system. 

Great to see the large minimally framed glazing being fitted to this contemporary glass extension near Moreton-in-Marsh, in the Cotswolds. Wonderfully slim frames and sight lines and a sharp zinc roof to follow. Kitchen is also in so the project is moving forward very nicely. This is the first phase of a larger programme of works to improve this lovely country house. Later phases include a new 2 storey annexe building and external landscaping.