This is an ancient farmstead in the heart of North Devon. A truly fascinating project, on every level. Pure conservation but also practical rebuild into a family home. The skills and knowledge base for a scheme like this is not to be taken lightly, cob repair, archeology and extensive use of lime.
Lime putty and hydraulic lime, no cement on this job ANYWHERE!
Timber repair and conservation and traditional vernacular craft skills will rebuild Upcott Barton.
The history of the place is also fascinating, Gytha, King Harold’s mother owned the manor of Hertiton (now Hartland) after the Norman conquest Henry l sub divided the area and Upcott was now owned by William Fitzgerald. The area was owned by five generations of de Hortons, then by marriage it passed to the Thornes in 1500′s it attracted a tax of £10, which was the highest in the parish, so a landed estate of some value.
Post medieval, the Thornes were still in residence right up until the civil war (1642), again this was the prime ‘real estate’ in the area attracting the highest tax burden.
This site is alive with history!
The split tree is an Ash. The locals call it ‘Split tree’ !
barn conversion
Barns have been converted into different uses since the beginning of time. One Season cattle or stock may have been ‘wintered’ in it, the next it’s full of grain and hay. Barns offer protection from the elements in a very functional way, if ‘form follows function’; barns are the embodiment of that edict. When converting a barn think function! This idea of purity or directness is the essence of a good conversion.
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We all hear the ‘S’ word banded about, but what do we really do about being more ‘Sustainable’?
In truth we make excuses not to be green.
Here are a few easy ways you can lift your ‘Green’ credentials.
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Adding house value is different to adding space. Space, i.e. more square metres generally adds at least the cost of the works, but that’s just building, its not design or architecture and rarely adds value.
Defining value is pretty conceptual, but when we see something that works, we know it has value. Value is one of those intangibles, precious to some irrelevant to others, we make value choices every day, food, clothes and how and where we spend our time and money. Value can be elusive or obvious!
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The cost of moving!
Have you considered the benefits of staying where you are? Have you unlocked all the potential space benefits from your home and garden?
Stamp duty, surveys and legal fees, and that’s just for starters, not to mention the uncertainty and worry that is buying and selling a house. The fragile chain of buyers! The time wasted for no apparent reason and the vagaries of the whole process can leave you exhausted and stressed.
House buying and selling is hard work and a process shrouded in mystery and confusion. It is a linear process and like a chain only as good as the weakest link, when one link snaps then it all falls apart.
Improving is not without its pains. But if you approach it in the right way this process will deliver more space, light and utility than you thought possible. No need to risk relocating with new neighbours, schools and friends, there’s no need to start all over again.
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Stop and look up at your house, just for a minute or two Think what if I changed those steel windows, what if I changed those roof tiles to slate? Should I paint the walls, or render them, or re point them?
You have probably stopped noticing the outside of your house.
Stop and spend half an hour walking around your house with a camera and a notebook, photograph and write down all the things you aren’t happy with or you’ve grown bored of.
Your motivation might be selling, or staying put for a long time or you simply want a project and you feel you’ve rather neglected the appearance of the house. People often stop looking at the basic stuff.
Walls, roof and windows are being neglected you may believe these jobs are too expensive or too complex, you need to revisit the outside of your house every now and again, it adds value and you can make it look a whole lot better.
Start with the main elements, do a ‘what if’ exercise.
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