The Cowshed wins the Restoration & Reuse Wood Award 2025
The Cowshed won the Restoration & Reuse Award at the Wood Awards 2025 yesterday night. This conversion of a Grade II-listed barn into a home in Gloucestershire won two RIBA Awards earlier this year, along with "Best Transformation" at the British Home Awards in 2024.
Relying on timber throughout, the barn was in a poor state of repair when we first started working on it. The restoration and conversion of the barn posed a real challenge, particularly as we worked on the repairs of the oak-framed structure. To ensure the retention of the existing trusses, the whole structure had to be lifted off the ground before being strengthened and covered with a new metal roof.
Design Storey and Matford Construction worked alongside us to repair and keep as much of the historic fabric as possible to ensure the new home was as striking outside as it was comfortable inside.
Commenting on the successful outcome of our project, the Wood Awards jury wrote: "Blending contemporary and historic features, the design cleverly unlocks the compact space and celebrates the unique qualities of the barn."
More details can be found here: The Cowshed | Wood Awards | Outstanding wood design, craftsmanship & installation
