Old building, new life : Three curtilage-listed buildings reimagined and repurposed for the future

Abstract

Curtilage-listed buildings are often overlooked; their small scale, specificity of function, lack of services and condition often present challenges for conversion. This paper uses three case studies to demonstrate how these types of buildings can be imaginatively converted to residential use and adapted to modern-day living while still retaining their charm and special qualities. The Old Flax Shop is a conversion of an agricultural building into holiday accommodation, the Cotswold Coach House required a new addition to create a space suitable for modern family living, and the Bull Pen and Barn at Porch Cottage required structural intervention to ensure longevity of the building. This paper seeks to illustrate that a conservation-led design approach can allow these modest buildings to have a use and place in our communities while still retaining the special qualities that make them attractive and loved by many.