StuartBarr CDR Ltd’s work on this pair of Dutch barn conversions in the fields outside the village of Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire saw them secure the best Low Carbon Project Award.
Aiming to create two separate but complementary family homes with their own special character and specifications, StuartBarr CDR Ltd worked closely with their highly environmentally conscious clients to put together an effective eco-build despite planning restrictions, which prevented true PassivHaus standards being reached.
StuartBarr CDR Ltd endeavoured to maximise the recycling of reclaimed materials from the initial demolition and thereby minimise Greenhouse gas emissions from new manufacturing and subsequent transportation. The team also worked to make the new build as airtight as possible and implemented the very best eco-technology heating solutions and waste disposal facilities. The team tackled the challenge posed by cold bridges in the concrete and steel frame of the building by adding an extra 50mm of insulation and a high-quality vapour control layer around the affected areas. The use of 2.5 kWp solar photovoltaic panels also stand to save the clients hundreds of pounds every year in energy bills.
This was a highly collaborative build between expert clients and a true Master Builder, where both parties shared a passion for sustainable construction. Despite challenges associated with the initial plan, a strong client-builder relationship meant that environmental considerations at Mayfield Barn remained paramount throughout the project, resulting in the creation of a truly sustainable family home for decades to come.
