Renovated Spaces, New Life for Old Homes | The Old Granary

Edited by Alex Sanchez Vidiella, Francesc Zamora Mola, Azur Corporation, Asia.

The Old Granary, Mattinson Associates.Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, 2008, Duration of project: 20 months, 26,127 sq ft.This conversion program encompassed a house, an annex, and an open-air garage, all owned by Pedvin, a real estate developer. The property also had two stone granaries that were converted to provide greater comfort. As well as the radiant floor heating, double-glazed windows framed with fine hardwood were installed in the windows and doors. The views from the buildings overlook the rolling terrain, with a garden and lake.The design concept was to create a vibrant space, connected to the exterior and which emphasized the interaction between the old and new features. The idea was to maintain the main natural materials and the earthy neutral colors. This was the case for the roof, where the original beams of the granaries were reused. Likewise, big windows were added to provide spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, emphasizing the relationship between the interior and exterior spaces.The original roof was completely removed, although the timber planks and beams were conserved and restored. The roof was finished in a natural Welsh slate, and Ventnor Green stone was recovered to be used in the new constructions.The remodelled complex consists of a main house with four bedrooms, a lounge, a TV and games room, three bathrooms, a kitchen, a pantry, and a storeroom; an annex with a hall that leads to a workshop, an office, a double bedroom, a lounge, a kitchen-dining room and a bathroom; and finally an open-air garage that can park two large automobiles, and a cycle storage area.The reception area of the main building which conserves and exposes the original stone walls, is completely open, creating a spectacular impression from the living room. The two levels of the house have been divided using a balustrade, which does not interrupt this global vision of light. The new oak floor does not visually distort the travertine paving. With respect to the lighting, there is daylighting obtained through the large windows, and artificial lighting, provided by art deco-style lamps.The bedrooms located on both levels have extensive views of the surrounding landscape and are large enough to contain different areas. The bedrooms on the first floor open up through sliding and folding doors, and enable configurations as a single, open space in the summer months, or a closed, private space during the winter. The bathrooms have been customized and paved with travertine or natural Welsh slate.