Twyford Barn

Twyford Barn was Architype’s Hereford office from 2006 to 2025. The building is an interpretation of Architype, amalgamating the practice’s design successes into two adjacent farm buildings, and demonstrating a progressive understanding of delivering sustainability.

Location

Hereford, UK

Area

220 m2

Status

Completed

Year

2006

Client

Duchy of Cornwall

Architype developed two previously derelict farm buildings into a new office that was a model of sustainable workplace practice and contemporary design and the practice’s extremely high environmental objectives.

Cut into the hillside and surrounded by rolling, wooded countryside, the buildings are just visible from the road. They sit comfortably within the surrounding landscape despite the contemporary conversion.

The two buildings are located on an estate owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. At the time, Twyford Barn was one of several projects under way as part of the Duchy’s rural regeneration programme for their estates, with the primary aim of providing workplace opportunities in the countryside.

A deal was negotiated for Architype to renovate the Barn and The Cowshed on behalf of the Duchy, with themselves as the in-coming tenant.

Architype have demonstrated how new types of employment can be developed in a sensitive landscape area in a way which contributes positively to both the economy and ecology.

Kevin McGeough, English Partnerships

Vision

All vision

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Design

We started with an appreciation of the history of the area, the qualities of the landscape and the sites’ strong sense of place. We added to this our own objectives to create a workplace that was an exemplar of sustainable contemporary design, and an inspirational work place. It is beautifully daylit, with exceptional views across fields and woodlands, naturally ventilated, heated by biomass, and with ample space for working, meeting and socialising.

The building is designed to a high ecological specification, using 100% locally sourced timber, natural organic finishes, and recycled newspaper insulation. Particular attention was given to minimising water consumption. Food for office lunches was grown on the land around the building, and an apple and pear orchard partly surround the building.