The Oak Barn

Following a devastating fire, FT Studio were commissioned to sensitively rebuild a Grade II listed oak-framed barn in rural Oxfordshire. What remained was the shell of a once-characterful structure — and with it, a rare opportunity: not only to restore its historic identity, but to discreetly elevate its performance for future generations.

Given the barn’s listed status, the design process demanded an exceptional level of care. Every junction, material selection, and construction detail was considered in close consultation with the local conservation officer. This included the incorporation of large glazed screens, introduced to frame long views across the surrounding countryside. Their careful placement was the result of detailed discussions to ensure that new interventions complemented, rather than competed with, the barn’s historic fabric. Our objective was clear: to preserve the spirit of the original building while quietly updating it for contemporary use.

At the heart of the home is a hand-crafted green oak frame, supplied and raised by The Green Oak Building Company. Their expertise, grounded in centuries-old carpentry techniques, reintroduced character, strength, and authenticity to the barn. More than a structural choice, the green oak offered a sustainable path forward — locally sourced, low in embodied carbon, and inherently renewable.

But we didn’t stop at heritage. Behind the traditional frame lies a building that quietly outperforms modern expectations. We integrated:

• Airtight construction techniques, dramatically reducing heat loss

• High-performance insulation, discreetly woven into the fabric

• Air-source heat pumps, delivering efficient, renewable heating

In collaboration with trusted local specialists, we refined traditional construction methods to meet — and in places exceed — current Building Regulation standards. The result is a building that feels timeless, yet lives entirely in the present.