Limberlost Stables

Client: L and P Parella
Location: Welwyn, Hertfordshire

This project won planning permission for the conversion of a single storey stables building to a family residence located in the green belt. The permission was won through a long effort to persuade the local authority and local residents that by adopting a best practice low carbon approach to the refurbishment and conversion, retaining the appearance of the original building on the main south elevation, they would be supporting a best practice example of sustainable building renovation.

Furthermore, the project is to be a self-build by the client who otherwise could not afford to live in the area where they run an award-winning heritage education centre. The existing single skin brickwork construction is overclad with a timber frame filled with sheep’s wool and wood fibreboard with a timber boarding finish. A new insulated floor finish and roof have been inserted – the roof finish mimicking the original corrugated cement sheet roof that had attracted a moss and sedum covering over the years. Renewable energy will be provided by a ground mounted solar PV array and solar hot water panels. The front solar buffer space is used as an access corridor and ventilation panels are built in to allow secure background ventilation with rooflights providing further venting in the warmer summer months. A wood burning stove and cooker provide additional winter heating with the gas fired boiler expected to provide base level heat for the radiators and hot water. The project will be monitored by LEDA to ensure the success of the combination of passive and active heating and cooling systems.