Barn-style self-builds

Building a new barn-style home combines traditional character with innovative modern construction techniques to achieve the best of both worlds, as these UK projects show

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Barn on a budget

Chris and Nicola Moulden's new barn-style annexe boasts a soaring oak frame and enjoys far-reaching views towards the Bristol Channel. The annexe replaced a little timber chalet that we'd used as storage,' says Chris.

The couple decided to seek planning permission for a replacement structure, which they could use as a guest annexe and rent out to holidaymakers. Keen to build an oak-framed design, they approached award-winning practice Roderick James Architects (rjarchitects.co.uk) who recently devised the BAARN timber-frame house concept, with the main shell of the building constructed off site.

The property cost £200,000 to build, including £25,000 for the oak frame and £5,000 for the balcony and porch. "The frame only took four days to put up,' says Chris. "Then the structural insulated panels (SIPS) company took over and dressed the skeleton of the barn over four weeks.'

Bespoke design

Heather Turner had lived in her rural cottage in Shropshire for decades and decided to create a plot in the garden as a way of building a home better suited to her needs, while staying in the area she loves. Working closely with oak frame specialists Border Oak (borderoak.​com), she visited the company's show home and saw their carpenters hand-crafting the frames. 'I loved their designs, but didn't think I could afford one of my own,' says Heather.

With the help of company director, Merry Albright, and working with Shropshire council's affordable self-build policies, a modest two-bed barn home was designed and built to Heather's budget using an encapsulated ground-floor oak frame, SIPS panels and engineered attic trusses.