The Metal Barn
A low-impact, landscape-led home in the greenbelt
Replacing an existing agricultural structure
Location: South Buckinghamshire
Typology: One-off home – replacement dwelling
Client: Land owner
Status: Ongoing project
Typology: One-off home – replacement dwelling
Client: Land owner
Status: Ongoing project
This proposal reimagines a disused rural site as a contemporary family home, replacing an existing metal barn and associated outbuildings within the Green Belt.
The design focuses on reducing visual impact and improving biodiversity, drawing from the site’s woodland setting and existing landscape character.
Set within the footprint of the original buildings, the new home adopts a reduced volume and simplified form to protect the openness of the Green Belt. The massing is positioned to sit beneath the existing tree canopy, while a cantilevered first floor avoids encroachment into critical root zones.
Materials have been selected for durability and harmony with the surroundings: natural stone at ground level and soft green-toned metal above, combining into a contemporary, 'modern farmhouse' expression. A green roof and extensive new planting further enhance the setting.
