Introduction / Brief
The existing was a working farm and holiday lets. It was purchased by the children’s charity CHICKs who provide residential holidays and breaks fin the UK for under privileged children.
Site / Context
The existing site consisted of 2 main buildings the farmhouse and holiday lets and a large agricultural store and former dairy. The proposal was to convert the farmhouse and holiday lets to a number of dormitories to accommodate up to 25 children. Phase 2 would see the agricultural stores converted into staff accommodation, admin and inside play areas and craft rooms.
Materials and Design
The existing farmhouse and holiday lets lent themselves to a relatively simple conversion to provide the bed spaces required. The key problem that needed solving was providing sufficient bathrooms for all those kids. We also had to form a new large communal kitchen and dining area. The agricultural store was created to a large indoor play area for ball games. This also included an area for trampolining. The former dairy was converted to provide the craft areas.
Sustainability
The fabric for the farmhouse and holiday lets had been well converted and upgraded by the previous owners. The outbuildings were upgraded and insulated while the heating system for the site was totally overhauled and a number of old domestic oil boilers were replaced with a new single large biomass boiler and small scale “district” heating system.
