House in a Barn

House in a Barn is a Class Q barn conversion of a former silage barn, transformed into a striking and sustainable home. The design of this eco barn conversion leverages the robust steel portal frame and generous volume of the original structure to create hybrid external spaces. These areas, positioned outside the thermal envelope, offer sheltered and functional amenities while preserving the barn’s character.


A fully breathable timber-frame building was constructed within the existing barn, utilizing salvaged materials from the original structure for cladding. This not only ensured sustainability but also maintained a visual connection to the barn’s agricultural roots. Window sizes and orientations were meticulously designed using advanced tools like PassivHaus software, natural light modelling, and wind studies to optimise resilience in an evolving climate.


The interior emphasises the penetration of natural light through an open-plan, multi-storey layout. A pioneering polycarbonate multi-layered wall, the first of its kind, was installed in the main access corridor. This innovation provides excellent insulation while allowing natural light to flow through the space. Exposed concrete flooring and reused concrete walls, repurposed from the original barn, were incorporated to enhance thermal inertia, contributing to a stable and energy-efficient indoor environment.

Photography by Charles Emerson

Shortlisted for the AR New into Old Awards 2025

Longlisted for Dezeen Awards 2025 Rural House

Eco barn conversion in West Oxfordshire designed by Artel31. Modern building with wooden slats on exterior walls, large windows, and a partially transparent roof supported by metal beams. The structure sits on a concrete floor in an open area.
Modern building with vertical wooden slats partially covering the exterior. The structure is elevated with open spaces below, translucent panels, and warm interior lighting visible through the design
Black and white photo of a large rectangular barn with a slanted roof, elevated on concrete supports. The barn has wooden siding, a wire fence to the right, and uneven ground with grass and rocks in the foreground. A similar structure is visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
Close-up of a modern staircase with light gray steps, a wooden handrail, and a vertically striped textured wall. The design is minimalistic and clean.
Exterior of a modern building with vertical wooden slats, two square windows on the upper level, a rectangular window and a door with a tall narrow window beside it on the lower level. Some greenery is visible through gaps on the left side.
Close-up of a building exterior showing horizontal wooden slats with a small window on the left, and a concrete structure with horizontal beams and vertical metal supports on the right.
Interior view of a tall, narrow corridor with a high ceiling. A textured concrete wall with two cylindrical pendant lights is on the left, and a translucent polycarbonate wall with wooden framing and small rectangular openings is on the right.
Architectural rendering of a building’s interior framework showing exposed wooden beams and slats forming the skeleton of walls, floors, and ceiling in an early construction stage.
Two architectural axonometric drawings of a building. The top shows an exploded view of structural components including roof, walls, and framework. The bottom shows a cutaway view revealing the interior layout and structural details.
Top-down view of a miniature architectural model showing several rooms arranged side by side on a rectangular base, with simplified furniture and fixtures. The model sits on a wooden surface.
Architectural cross-section of a three-story building. The ground floor includes a living and dining area; the middle floor has various rooms including one with a person painting; the top floor features large windows and open space. Trees and greenery are shown outside.

Modern kitchen interior with a rough-textured concrete wall on the left and a sleek white countertop with wooden drawers on the right. Dark cabinets and built-in appliances are visible in the background.

Sustainable Highlights

Photovoltaic panels

Reuse and Repurposing

Efficient Design

Eco-friendly Building Systems:

Timber frame and breathable structure.

Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) for energy-efficient heating.

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) for optimised indoor air quality.

Photovoltaic panels for renewable energy generation.

Biodiverse Landscaping

The Location

This eco barn conversion is in West Oxfordshire set amongst a rural landscape.

Contact Us About Eco Barn Conversions

Artel31 have worked on numerous barn conversion projects, from converted Dairy & Cow Byres in Chippenham to a converted Cotswold farmyard.