Hay Barn

Mittagong, NSW
2003

Located 1.5 hours south of Sydney in the Southern Highlands town of Mittagong this commission was originally for the refurbishment of an existing barn and cottage on a rural property along a ridge looking north towards a very distant view of Sydney.  The cottage refurbishment formed Stage 1 of the project and consisted of extending an existing verandah around the southern face of the cottage, new bathroom and kitchen and the addition of sun control louvres to the west facing windows as well as a general tidy up and repainting. 

Stage 2 was to have been the conversion of one half of an existing timber and corrugated iron barn into a studio space which could also double as occasional guest accommodation, while the other half was to retain its original use as a working barn and machinery shed.  After inspection by a structural engineer it was determined that the original timber pole structure had deteriorated to such an extent that it was not viable to be retained.  The decision was then taken to demolish the entire structure and build a totally new barn with the exact same footprint, height and roof pitch to satisfy the local Council.

The new structure consists of 8 steel portal frames forming 7 bays at 3.5 metre centres.  The 3 western bays are utilised as the storage and machinery shed.  The eastern 3 bays form the studio living/dining area while the central bay contains the bathroom, laundry and kitchen and the stair to the mezzanine containing a library and office space which can double as a bedroom.  The north and east walls of the studio are extensively glazed with sliding glass doors to the lower portion and adjustable glass louvres to the upper half.  All glazing is shaded by retractable adjustable aluminium louvres which when closed, form a totally sealed silver box providing privacy and security as well as protection from the, at times, harsh climate of the Southern Highlands.

The steel portal frames are fully expressed on the interior and the 150mm thick external skin of the roof and walls has been extended 1 metre past the last frame at either end to enhance the reading of the frame and skin composition.  The concrete slab has been polished to provide the floor finish.  The slab contains hydronic underfloor heating as well as there being a double sided Jetmaster fireplace for winter months.  The exterior cladding is traditional galvanized corrugated steel sheets with concealed gutters at the junction of the roof and walls.

Builder: Eastwick Country Homes
Photographer: Ross Honeysett