The Grain Store — Barn Conversion
Writtle, Essex
Project Overview
Conversion of an 18th-century timber-frame grain store into a three-bedroom family home. The design preserves the dramatic double-height threshing barn as a living space, with a structural glass wall flooding the interior with light. Oak-frame carpentry, handmade brick floors and natural lime render create a home that honours its agricultural past while offering every modern comfort.
Obstacles We Overcame
Timber frame showed evidence of historic beetle damage, requiring partial replacement while maintaining the Class Q conversion approval. No mains drainage on site.
How We Solved It
Engaged a specialist timber framer to splice new green oak into the existing structure using traditional pegged mortise-and-tenon joints. Installed a reed bed sewage treatment system.
“We'd been told by two other builders it couldn't be done within our budget. Hartwell & Stone found a way, and the result is beyond anything we dreamed of.”
