Barn Conversion In Kent: From Shed To Grand-Scale Luxury Home

We helped our client, the owner of a development company, transform a vast, disused cattle barn on their Kent estate into an exceptional modern home: a light-filled, two-storey, five-bedroom home that blends agricultural character with clean, contemporary design.

The Wittersham site was once part of a large farmyard within the grounds of Twyssenden Manor, a moated house at the heart of a historic farming estate. Our client owned both the manor and the surrounding land, and lived on the estate.

After selling much of the land, he and his wife were looking to downsize while staying connected to Tywssenden - the place they had long called home. Their goal was to build a modern, practical house on site.

Completed in 2023, the impressive 639-square-metre luxury home features a zinc roof, Siberian larch cladding, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and bespoke elements, such as a handcrafted dining table made from a lightning-struck estate tree.

Choosing Taylor Roberts To Design A Barn Conversion In Kent

We met the development company’s owner a few years earlier, when he purchased a site in Sandhurst where we had secured planning permission to renovate a listed building and build new homes within the grounds of the property.  Impressed by the quality of our work, he reached out to the previous landowner, who recommended us.

Since then, we have worked on a number of bespoke projects, establishing a strong relationship. So, when it came to designing a new home for himself and his wife, he contacted us.

The Brief

Being an avid art collector, the client envisioned a large, modern home with expansive interiors to display his collection. He requested a double-height gallery landing to accommodate oversized works, and a pale, monochrome palette to provide a neutral backdrop.

Due to the vast scale of the original cattle shed, which was far too large to convert in full, we proposed demolishing around three-quarters of the structure and repurposing the remainder. 

The Design

The site’s location and agricultural past made the now redundant cattle shed a strong candidate for conversion, especially with planning policies supporting such applications. The steel frame played a key role in making that case.

One of our key challenges was designing a contemporary home around the retained frame to preserve the original structure’s agricultural character. 

The goal was to balance the raw framework with refined, modern detailing. This meant balancing the building’s scale with materials and spaces that added lightness, clarity, and a sense of home.

Barn Conversion Floorplan 

The generous ground floor footprint includes several spacious open-plan living spaces, including a kitchen, dining area, and family room designed to maximise natural light with extensive glazing. It also features a substantial utility room, a boot room, and a dedicated dog space. 

The first floor, set within the roofspace, is more compact but accommodates five large, well-proportioned bedrooms, each with its own en suite. We also designed a sixth room that can serve as an art studio, home office, or additional bedroom.

The double-height gallery landing on the first floor overlooks the main living space, visually connecting the floors and reinforcing the sense of volume and openness.

Barn Conversion Exterior

Inspired by agricultural forms, the exterior features two barn-style doors to mark the entrance. The original portal frame is metal-clad and visible, rather than hidden behind wall cladding.

Recessed and projecting windows create visual interest by adding depth and rhythm to the façade.

Finally, the home design includes a spacious garage that can accommodate up to six cars next to a home office.

Sustainability Measures

Sustainability was a key consideration in the design. 

We incorporated air source heat pumps to provide efficient, low-carbon heating suited to the home’s scale.

Taking advantage of the building’s large roof area, we added a rainwater harvesting system.

Together, these features align with modern sustainability goals while remaining practical for rural living.

The Landscaping

Although the scheme slightly predated Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements, the local authority requested a clear landscape benefit. 

In response, we proposed a wildflower meadow to improve both the ecological value and visual character of the site, anticipating what is now a national 10% BNG standard for new developments.

The land surrounding the cattle shed used to be bare ground, so the meadow brought meaningful environmental benefits and a more natural, sympathetic setting.

We designed a private lawned garden around the house, retaining existing trees and adding new planting to provide natural screening.

This approach addresses a common challenge in rural developments: mitigating the visual impact of domestic elements, such as washing lines, play equipment, and garden furniture, on the wider rural landscape. 

By using naturalistic planting to create a soft, informal boundary, the scheme preserves the site’s rural character while discreetly accommodating everyday domestic life.

The Materials

The building is clad in vertical Siberian larch, a durable and natural-looking timber that suits the design’s rural, barn-like character.

The roof is clad in zinc, which works well with the building’s shallow pitch and creates a clean, modern finish. We added acoustic insulation beneath the roof to reduce rain noise during storms and improve comfort.

Pressed metal detailing wraps the window frames, giving the exterior a cohesive finish.

The Planning Application Approval Process

Planning approval progressed smoothly, thanks to the simple layout and the decision to retain the existing steel frame, which reduced structural complexity.

The planning authority also welcomed the proposed larch cladding, as it helped preserve the original structure’s agricultural character, avoiding an overly domestic appearance.

Once we agreed on the landscape enhancements, the scheme was approved without any requests for amendments.

The Client’s Feedback

The client was delighted with the outcome of the project. We took a vast, redundant steel-framed cattle shed and transformed an element of it into a spacious, contemporary home. 

His personal investment was clear: he even oversaw the creation of bespoke interior features,including a handcrafted dining table made from an estate tree that had been struck by lightning.

If you are planning a barn conversion in Kent, Taylor Roberts can support you with bespoke architectural services. 

From early-stage feasibility and concept visuals to full architectural design for housing, commercial builds, and design-and-build contracts, we support projects across Kent and the South East.

Call us on 01227 457 545 or email us on enquiries@taylorroberts.co.uk to discuss your project.