Little West End Farm
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This barn house has a lovely open volume of space forming the main hall and living room area. Glazing the porch floods the interior with light. Staining the timber boarding over the rafters with a pale blue stain has created a beautiful contrast to the pale straw of the oak beams. The frame employs storey and a half trusses, one of our personal favourites as it brings the roof carpentry within reach where it can really be appreciated.
To exploit the full potential of an oak frame we recommend keeping one or more of the bays as an open volume space as is the case here, also to make a galleried landing from which the views can be enjoyed. This frame has an integral oak framed conservatory which forms the dining area of the kitchen seen here beyond the main living space. Twelve years on the clients still love the house and speak fondly of our help in creating this exceptionally beautiful home.
This view of the gallery shows the glazing of the porch gable. We had hoped to insert French doors opening onto a balcony but this was declined by the planners.
Reclaimed brick and simple ledge and batten doors complement the oak frame and colour washed sarking boarding.
This lean-to aisled conservatory extends the kitchen to make an attractive dining area with views over the garden to Old Winchester Hill.
This end of the house was predominantly a conventional masonry build but with an oak joisted ceiling to create a cosy and warm snug with wood-burner.
Viewed externally, timber weatherboarding and direct glazing of the conservatory and central porch bay all reveal that this is an oak framed ‘barn style house’. The site is highly sensitive as it lies within sight of Old Winchester Hill which is a National Nature Reserve and now lies within the newly formed South Downs National Park. The style of building found favour with the planners as the dwelling has the appearance of being converted from an existing barn on the site, a strategy that may be worth bearing in mind for certain planning applications.
“"Thank you for the frame that you have just finished at Rogate. It was a miserable wet day, yesterday and John and team carried on regardless. We are delighted with the overall look and also the mouldings to the members. As usual, the frame was millimetre accurate and will be easy to take forward to complete the building."
Bob, Trembath Associates
“"Just to say that it looks fabulous, and all who survey it are wonder-struck. Best wishes and many thanks to you all."
Simon, National Trust
“"Thanks for the excellent job which has just been completed on the Oak Frame extension to the above property. Not only is the quality of the work faultless, it is a true work of art, which will bring endless enjoyment to me and my wife. The end result has surpassed our wildest expectations."
Ray Nicolaides
“"Everyone is very impressed with the finished result and I thought I would just take the opportunity of belatedly giving my thanks to you and your team for a job very well done. I have submitted the bridge for a Civic Society award for next year and have every expectation of its success."
P White, Northholt & Greenford Countryside Park Manager
“"Just a quick note to say thank you for sending such a great team to do the work. As well as clearly being very hardworking and hugely skilled, Mick, Andy, Clark and Dave were all exceptionally pleasant, considerate and cheerful guys to have around, and as such a huge credit to Green Oak."
Julia, Crabfields Farm