MODERN BARN
A sustainably crafted coastal home set on a sloped site, designed as a cluster of three pitched buildings stacked for a tight profile
FOR A PRIVATE CLIENT
Sat atop Stonebarrow Hill in Dorset, Modern Barn looks across Charmouth beach. These panoramic coastal views orient the home, which is a series of three buildings, clustered in a stack to minimise profile and maximise space.
UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS OUT AND VIEWS IN
This home was built for the view: the incredible shoreline, the glowing lights across the bay to Lyme Regis, the rolling hills below. However the view of the house was just as important as the view from it. Our designs take careful consideration of the house’s profile, stacking the three masses together to ensure an increase of volume but a decrease in visual presence.
THOUGHTFUL, PASSIVE DESIGN
Modern Barn was designed with passive design principles to embrace the sun where it is useful and protect from it when not. These moves include incorporating south facing glazing to maximise solar gain, a provision of solar shading in summer and the thoughtful arrangement of windows to facilitate good cross ventilation.
“This is our house - it reflects us and our personalities. It’s warm and soft and sunny. The light and the way it runs through is incredible. It is just incredible.”
- The homeowner client
WRAPPED IN TIMBER
Both the interior and exterior of the home are wrapped in the warmth and tactility of timber. Outside, larch batons create a crisp and linear façade. Inside, oak panelling holds the warmth of the coastal light and provides a gallery wall space for the homeowners’ vibrant print collection.
BETWEEN THE HOME AND THE SEA
The homeowners have built a beautiful yurt to sit at the end of the garden, between their home and the sea. The structure is composed of bamboo slats, mirroring the larch batons that make up the linear composition of the main house. Internally, upholstery in reds and yellows bring warmth to this outbuilding.
LOCATION
Charmouth, Devon, UK
SIZE
1,830 sqft
STATUS
Completed in 2022
CLIENT
Private