Two adjacent storage barns have been reimagined as a countryside wellness retreat, with a design proposal that combines accommodation, activity space and communal areas within the existing agricultural structures.

The client came with a brief to transform the underused barns into a destination for small retreats focused on yoga, art and creative workshops. Although structurally sound, the buildings had long functioned as auxiliary storage, leaving their interiors dark, compartmentalised and disconnected from the surrounding landscape.

Rather than substantially altering the external character of the barns, the project focuses on reconfiguring the interiors while maintaining the original fabric of the buildings. The proposal retains the robust masonry walls and timber roof structures, allowing the architectural identity of the barns to remain legible within the new programme.

Inside, the two volumes are organised to support a clear and ergonomic flow between accommodation and shared activity spaces. One barn houses a double height studio space designed for yoga sessions, workshops and small gatherings, while the neighbouring structure contains guest rooms and communal living areas arranged around quieter, more intimate zones.

Introducing carefully positioned openings and internal voids allows natural light to penetrate deeper into the plan, transforming spaces that were once dim into bright, calm environments suited to creative and contemplative use. Circulation between the barns is simplified to create a distinct transition between active areas and more private spaces.

The resulting scheme balances preservation with adaptation, offering modern comfort while respecting the utilitarian character of the original structures. By working with the existing buildings rather than against them, the project proposes a retreat environment that feels rooted in its rural setting while accommodating contemporary forms of wellbeing and creative practice.

‍