Sutton Mill Barn

Sutton Mill Barn is a Grade II Listed property, situated with wonderful views across open fields and with a millstream running along the perimeter of the property. Our clients were looking to modernise the building, reconfiguring a rather confused, internal layout to create a more coherent family home and improving its thermal efficiency.

Our design approach was to be sympathetic to the existing building while enhancing the utilitarian character of the original watermill. The kitchen, which was hidden away at one end of the house in the same room as the watermill, is now at the centre and heart of the home, benefiting from light streaming through large windows and bringing the beautiful views of the surrounding countryside inside.

A main asset of the building - the retained mechanism of the watermill - was hidden, and our clients wanted to open up the enclosure and revert the timber machinery to its original glory. We carefully and painstakingly removed a rather cramped, low-ceiling bedroom present in the watermill room, thereby creating a stunning double-height space.

We removed three staircases, simplifying the circulation, and replaced these with one feature steel staircase, while on the first floor we created a more natural layout and more generous bedroom sizes, designing a new landing overlooking the dining atrium below. Within the roof, two conservation roof-lights were installed to bring light and ventilation into a new family bathroom and master ensuite, both with limited impact on the appearance of the rear elevation in keeping with the property's original charm and character.

Alongside the installation of a new wood burning stove and underfloor heating, we replaced chunky timber frames to a simpler form with aluminium windows, allowing far more light into the property and creating an airy, contemporary and restful feel, enhanced by a neutral palette of interior design.