When it comes to barn conversions, French architects employ a very different approach. Open plan is usually out of the question and functionality begins to rule. Ok, it may sound controversial but I still believe that open plan rarely works for a dwelling, especially if your family does home cooking. It is rather unpleasant if your living space stinks of fish. Besides, in an open plan layout you don’t get much privacy.

Ok, back to our today’s project. It is an old stable house located in Charente-Maritime region of France. Converted by a local architect bureau McMahon & Co. This derelict building was stripped of the old timber, replacing it with new locally sourced material. This is another way to achieve an eco friendly result. This green home plan involved little concrete because the foundation and the walls were in place already.

I like the way the hallway divides this barn conversion on an East-West axis. This a clever balance of a day zone and a night zone. The living room and kitchen/diner are situated along the South wall enjoying the sunny terrace and garden. The bedrooms are located at the back of the house thus bordering them from the odours and sounds of the kitchen.

Utility zone should be situated as far as possible from the bedrooms and rest zone. Can you achieve this in an open plan layout?

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