Three Hares Farm, North Somerset
Design – As part of the master planning of the site we developed plans for the built infrastructure, to include a striking traditionally built timber framed barn, and a packing and storage building for produce, to be built as a straw bale building with living roof. We aimed to create structures that sat sensitively within the undulating landscape, and that were eye-catching, yet practical, functional spaces. We also designed access track, hard standing areas, and polytunnel locations whilst considering the future development of the farm, and successfully applied for Prior Approval for the development.
Build – The packing building was constructed as a straw bale building using locally sourced bales, clay plaster internally all sourced from the excavations for the foundations, and clad with locally sourced larch cladding. The living roof utilised earth sourced from the site.
The barn was built using an entirely roundwood frame, using the traditional Norwegian framing technique or 'Grindbygg', adapted by Rich Andersen, who led the frame build, to include some British roundwood framing elements. The framing technique uses mainly axes and chainsaws to create innovative joints held in place by wedges and pegs. The roof is curved at the ridge and eaves, softening this impressively large building.