West Yard Farm

Striking and unusual design borne from a traditional truss

The milking parlour to the west of the group provided the annex accommodation required. The brick and stone building was bisected, and a glass and green-oak framed structure replaced the southern half of the building. The annex barn provides additional space that allows an evolving flexible use by the family or for holiday rental.

Architect Eilir Sheryn worked with Carpenter Oak Ltd frame designer Paul Slemmings to conceive a light and spacious barn-like structure, with glazing on all sides and dramatic flying trusses. Finely cut square profiles have been used in combination with steel connectors and tie rods, supplied by Hercules. The truss design is an unusual but striking configuration taking its cues from a traditional scissor braced truss.

Beautiful design is key to the success of this home

The central collar is formed with an inverted ‘V’ of green oak, then tied back to the main truss members with stainless steel rods. These tie rods reduce the perceived mass of the frame at high level. The open roof space combined with the extensive glazing allows light to flood in.

To best compliment the massive stone and brick walls of the barn, a key aspect of the design was to maintain a strong physical aesthetic for the frame. The timber columns were doubled up with a small shadow gap between, to create an attractive rhythm.

The frame could undoubtedly have been achieved with single posts, and with perhaps one or two fewer bays over the length of the space. In this respect, beauty over efficiency was perhaps deemed more important, as the strength and rhythm of the frame as it extends away from the stone barn was so important to its success.