Twll Barn

Jo and Vic came to me as self-builders, full of ideas and inspired by the clean simplicity of Scandinavian design — but with a strong connection to their Welsh roots. Their vision was thoughtful and grounded: to breathe new life into a beautiful old barn, while staying true to its rural character.

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The barn itself had a lovely, traditional oak frame. Sadly, much of the original timber had suffered irreversible damage. Rather than replace it entirely, we took an honest, sensitive approach — preserving only the sound timbers and celebrating what could be salvaged. This became the foundation for a fabric-first strategy, allowing us to focus on creating a well-insulated, energy-efficient home that respected the story of the building.

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Working closely with Jo and Vic, I reworked their existing plans to create a more spacious, flowing layout. We submitted a Section 73 variation application to update the approved design, giving us more freedom to shape the building around their needs.

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Inside, the home is modest in scale but smartly laid out — with two bedrooms, plus a ground floor study that doubles as a guest room. The master suite is set apart from the guest quarters to offer privacy and a sense of calm retreat.

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The design may look simple, but it called for precise detailing — especially in the alignment of the windows in the main living area. The large oak frame at the front was carefully designed to carry the beautifully crafted Danish Kastrup windows and doors.

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To bring it all together, we partnered with Ty Cefn Ltd to design and manufacture a bespoke timber frame, combining traditional techniques with modern performance.

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This project was a true collaboration — a meeting of old and new, simplicity and character, shaped by shared values and hands-on creativity.