La Frêne

Working with constraints to create an intimate modern home with a connection to the building’s heritage. La Frêne was a derelict traditional Guernsey barn. Our client wanted a compact two-bedroom home with all the luxuries of modern living whilst maintaining the building’s charm and character. Key requirements were to provide a low-maintenance, high-performance building offering a variation of spaces and maximising orientation. Internal excavation afforded a generous internal volume which, lined with a locally fabricated oak frame, retained the memory of the original structure. The ground floor provides south-facing open living and dining, a snug, cloakroom and study. Above features two ensuite bedrooms and a south-facing balcony beyond the retained party wall. All demolished stone was reused within the extension; original blue granite cobbles were face-cut to provide a floor finish, with the bases used as coins around new openings. An original pad stone cut into the structure provides a small seat. Externally all granite has been repaired, rebuilt, and lime pointed. Reclaimed Welsh purple slate covers a 150mm Kingspan warm roof. Internally, the walls are fully lined to eaves with delta membrane and 100mm insulation. The floor is insulated above the slab, with 40mm recycled glass screed incorporating under-floor heating and tumbled travertine laid over. The initial challenge was to stabilise a large ash tree that was forced against the original structure, whilst retaining maximum available footprint. Every available pocket of space was utilised with built-in storage and bespoke joinery details to maximise the useable space. There were also the challenges of working within the party walls to four neighbouring properties and legal requirements attached to the conversion. The result exceeded client expectation; a small high-quality home designed to accommodate her needs in later life. It has provided a solution she was unable to find on the market, for less expense, and added significant value over the original investment.