# EBBA Architects Transforms Cornwall Barn into Calm Sanctuary London-based studio renovates a historic agricultural barn, emphasizing spatial clarity and material simplicity. - **Source:** [Architecture news and projects | Dezeen](https://brifing.si/source/50c21201-9cc6-48e0-8a7c-6ea605af10c3) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/464a3cfb-7897-426a-8aaa-760f54c28983 ## Barn Renovation Project London studio EBBA Architects has completed a significant renovation of a former agricultural barn located in Cornwall. The project involved stripping away years of incremental, ill-suited alterations that had cluttered the original structure. The goal was to restore the building's inherent spatial character while modernizing the interior for contemporary family living. ## Restoring Spatial Clarity Founding director Benni Allan emphasized the importance of finding clarity in the building's form. By removing later, disjointed additions, the architects aimed to return the barn to its original simplicity. The design process focused on adding new elements only where they felt most appropriate to enhance the existing architectural narrative. ## Pavilion Extension Design The project expanded the total floor area by nearly one-third through the addition of a pavilion-like structure. This new space is framed by distinctive columns of white stone, creating a clear visual separation from the original barn. The extension features a skylit dining area and lounge that opens onto a covered colonnade. ## Interior Spatial Layout The ground-floor plan centers on an existing staircase, which serves as an anchor for the layout. A storage and bathroom core surrounds this central point, effectively separating the kitchen from the living areas. This arrangement allows for a flexible flow, accommodating the diverse needs of a large family living in the space. ## Materiality and Finishes Interior finishes prioritize simplification, utilizing plaster walls, concrete floors, and gridded white-painted timber ceilings. The architects highlighted material junctions, such as an oak column in the kitchen rotated to reveal its connection to flitch plates. These design choices create a calm, gallery-like atmosphere that contrasts with the building's rustic agricultural history. ## Exterior Architectural Moves The exterior design maintains the barn's original aesthetic while integrating new materials. Reused cedar shingles were maintained on the existing structure, while the new extension utilizes white stone masonry. This stone references the walls found on the adjacent street, grounding the modern addition within the local architectural context of the area. ## Playful Structural Details Beyond the simple barn silhouette, the architects introduced playful elements to the design. The extension's roof stops short of the stone column edges, emphasizing the junction between the two structures. This deliberate exaggeration of building joints serves as a serious architectural move that adds character to the otherwise minimalist, serene living environment. ## Architectural Design Philosophy EBBA Architects views this project as a sanctuary designed to frame the changing weather throughout the year. By treating the extension as an independent object reaching into the garden, the studio successfully balanced historical preservation with modern functionality. This project reflects the firm's ongoing interest in creating flexible, high-quality residential spaces. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/11/09/ebba-architects-dutch-barn/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._