ENGINE

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN ALLIANCE

the modern barn

A sympathetic renovation on a multi-generational site, once the home of a diary farm.

A project that started as a simple visit to inspect wood borer turned into a transformation of a much-altered Durban North bungalow into a light filled barn-like space. At the first site visit, it was clear the house had good bones; timber floors, high ceilings, large rooms and great views of the Indian Ocean. The house was not only built by the client’s grandfather in the 1930’s, it stood on the site of the old Durban North Tip Top Dairy. The modest 2 bedroom house had been renovated numerous times and now bore little resemblance to the original structure. Although the house was now larger, the renovations had made the house dark inside and left some key living rooms without a connection to the site.

Using light as a primary material and referencing the dairy archetype, the modern barn concept was formed.

Since the roof was to be redone, the existing complicated roof was removed and reconfigured to create 2 defined bays, living and bedrooms, connected by a simple passage. This restored spatial order and opened up the house; clarifying the distinction between public living spaces and private sleeping areas.

The house is a testament to what one can do with existing masonry and still be able to transform it into something that feels fresh and relevant. The project has not only redefined how the family live their everyday life, they cherish moments at home again.

“Thank you for making it such a wonderful space to be in, we are loving it.” Client

Location : Durban North, Durban

Photography : Dane Forman