Musician’s Retreat

This woodland retreat, home to Matthew Wilson, Belfast based vocalist and musician, sits on a hillside in the County Down countryside. Approached via a sweeping drive, the building gradually reveals itself within the landscape.

A radical approach was required for this converted barn sited in open countryside. The aim was to create a house to sit naturally in the landscape with the appearance of a traditional agricultural building. The orientation, design and natural materials – reclaimed and new – ensure the building links to the land.

When it came to choosing an architect, Conor Brady of Des Ewing Architects was the perfect choice to not only meet the brief but surpass the clients expectations. ‘The tired and dilapidated old stable block required an extension to provide additional accommodation and we used black zinc cladding and salvaged red brick to show a clear distinction between old and new,’ says Conor. ‘In keeping with the original stable block, which was clad in traditional painted timber weatherboard cladding, the new build uses natural, local materials, selected to develop a patina over the years.

Read more in the August issue…