This North Devon barn conversion is, like all the best examples of its kind, a story of carefully balancing old and new — respecting the vernacular character of the original buildings while creating a warm, low-energy home suited to modern living. The project brings together two existing barns, linked by a contemporary extension that celebrates craft, comfort, and natural light. The ambition was to develop a modern interpretation of a vernacular building: grounded in tradition, yet unmistakably of its time.
Barn conversion
Red Kite acted as the main contractor for this complex barn renovation, tucked away in a quiet North Devon valley. Our work involved the full renovation of the existing barns, combining sympathetic restoration with the creation of an efficient, breathable building fabric. This required a wide range of solutions, each developed and refined on site by the Red Kite team.
A new high-performance, breathable timber-frame extension wraps around the building, featuring an exposed timber roof structure sourced and milled locally. The exterior is finished in durable zinc and locally milled cedar cladding, while the walls are insulated with cellulose made from recycled newspapers. Internally, lime plaster provides a natural, breathable finish that complements the character of the original barns.
The home also incorporates a suite of low-energy technologies, including an air-source heat pump, a solar-and-battery system, and a demand-controlled ventilation system — all working together to ensure year-round comfort with minimal environmental impact.