Made of Sand replaces an existing garage and workshop that had fallen into disrepair. Studio Weave wrapped the new 85 square meters (GEA) wing around the old cottage, resulting in a floorplan of two tesselating L-shape zones that connect internally. To create a purposeful sense of entry, Studio Weave reintroduced a path along the rear hillside to the central entry hall. A stainless steel galley kitchen lit by overhead and clerestory windows leads to the ground floor bedroom suite, which opens onto the large wildflower meadow at the front of the property. Upstairs, the living space seems to extend out to the treeline through the wide expanse of triple glazing wrapped around the facade, offering uninterrupted views over the Blackdown Hills beyond.

Materials and craft play a key role in anchoring Made of Sand in its setting. Outside, the external Red Western Cedar paneling silvers in tandem with the surrounding woodland timbers. Inside, natural materials including clay, terracotta, brass and douglas fir plywood create a warm environment. Made of Sand is highly insulated and soundproofed to allow artists and children creative freedom during retreats and family holidays.

The structure of the extension remains on display, reducing material use and wastage, and the douglas fir ceiling soffits are echoed throughout in timber battening, window seating and wall storage. Constructed by the clients’ local cob building specialist and craftsman, Made of Sand balances architectural precision with organic details. Rust-colored clay walls softly curve into door frames, and timber wall joinery cut individually by hand demonstrates the care and attention executed by a dedicated client, architect, and contractor partnership.

Text provided by the architect.

Dating from 1810, Redhill Barn was originally a threshing barn and cow byre, built as part of a wealthy farming estate. Separated from other farm buildings and inaccessible by road, the building fell into disrepair; the roof fell in and the remaining stone walls became overgrown.

Intent on preserving the character of the original building with its monumental stone walls, TYPE’s strategy has been to create a new home within the reconstructed barn, rather than convert the barn into a house. The design utilises the original envelope, with no new openings imposed on the elevations. Fenestration is set back and minimal, allowing maximum light to enter. Pivot doors allow the wide openings that were originally made for cattle to remain undivided, yet easily handled.

The house has a simple hipped roof with milled aluminium sheeting to ‘ghost’ the original roof form in a light, reflective material; the corrugated profile and gutterless eave reference agricultural detailing and materials.

The plan is informed by the barn’s internal stone columns, which provide the base for a new timber floor and roof structure (Douglas fir from the UK) designed to evoke the rhythm and beauty of traditional barn structures. The roof truss spans lengthways, utilising small diameter timber and steel connections, allowing the structure to sit higher than a conventional truss, stressing the height, form and scale of the space.

The two bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen are located on the ground floor in a cellular arrangement which makes use of a series of arched doorways. The open expanse of the upper floor is a generous light-filled space for relaxing, and the main social space of the house. Floating boxes clad in English sycamore create discrete spaces for a study and shower room that bookend the main space.

TYPE managed the project as a self-build, forgoing a main contractor to manage all subconsultants and trades directly, ensuring that they could apply the same quality of care and craftsmanship to all aspects of the build. The design works across multiple scales, from the wider landscape strategy to the smallest fittings, and comprehensive detailing is used to express material properties and marry traditional techniques with contemporary craftsmanship.

The site was originally inaccessible and without water and electricity. It now benefits from an access track and is equipped with an air-source heat pump, and permission has been granted for ground-mounted photovoltaics.

Text provided by the architect.