Bridlington Eco-Barn

Bridlington Old Town

2025-Present

Planning Permission

Nestled in Bridlington's old town, this project will thoughfully restore and upgrade a grade two listed 18th century barn to become a uniquely characterful family home with a minimal carbon footprint achieving the EnerPHit standard.

A Cathedral of Oak: The Art of Upcycling History

The design centres on the sensitive restoration of the barn’s original 18th-century oak crook frame, with the primary living areas elevated to the first floor to occupy a "cathedral-like" space. This strategy preserves the building’s unique heritage while significantly reducing the "embodied carbon" of the project—the energy and pollution typically generated by manufacturing and transporting new steel or concrete. By repurposing high-quality historic materials already on-site, the project achieves an architectural soul and a sense of volume that modern construction rarely captures, organising the home around its most historic assets.

A Thermal Sanctuary

To protect against harsh North Sea winters, the barn is wrapped in a high-performance envelope featuring advanced triple-glazed timber windows and Fakro rooflights. Achieving exceptional U-values of 0.6 and 0.8 respectively, these units allow the building to retain heat with the efficiency of a high-end thermal flask. Crucially, the design employs breathable wood fibre insulation to work in harmony with the historic fabric; as a vapour-permeable material, it allows moisture to move naturally through the walls to prevent damp and protect the 18th-century timber. Finished with durable aluminiumcladding for a 60-year lifespan, the structure remains a draught-free, energy-efficient sanctuary built to endure for decades.

EnerPHit Living & Fresh Air

Achieving the EnerPHit standard—the global benchmark for energy-efficient restoration—requires a sophisticated approach to air quality. The barn utilises a Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, which functions as the "lungs" of the building. This technology quietly extracts stale air and moisture while introducing fresh, filtered air from outside. By "recycling" the heat from the outgoing air to warm the incoming flow, the system maintains a constant, "aired out" atmosphere. This process supports deeper sleep and reduces allergens, ensuring the living environment is as healthy as it is energy-efficient.

A Sustainable Heritage Legacy

Situated in the heart of Bridlington’s historic Old Town, this project demonstrates that architectural character and climate responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Transforming a redundant 18th-century structure into a residence with a minimal operational carbon footprint creates a lasting sustainable legacy. The result is a home that provides the financial freedom of near-zero heating bills and the peace of mind that comes from living in a future-proofed sanctuary designed to endure for another two centuries, harmonising historic preservation with modern ecological standards.

Harvesting the Rain for a Greener Home

The environmental impact of this home has been further minimised through the use of a sophisticated rainwater harvesting tank. This clever system collects rainfall and filters it so you can use it for washing the car or running home appliances. It’s a simple, automated way to reduce your water bills and your demand on the local grid, making the most of every drop of Yorkshire rain.