Perham Farm

Perham Farm sits within the rural landscape of Somerset and was transformed from an existing barn structure into a luxury retreat and arts space.

The project introduced a large glazed elevation of sliding glass doors, bringing natural light into the building while creating a stronger connection between the interior and surrounding landscape.

Large bespoke timber sliding shutters were also incorporated into the elevation, providing shading, privacy and security while complementing the existing character of the barn.

The design focused on creating a contemporary glazed elevation that could work alongside the existing barn structure and its rural setting.

The large sliding glass doors were designed to maximise natural light and provide a connection between the arts space and the wider farm landscape. Bespoke timber shutters were introduced to address solar gain while also providing privacy and security when the building was not in use.

The shutters were designed to match the size and shape of the sliding glass doors behind them, with the panels also aligning with the internal timber posts to maintain consistent architectural lines throughout the elevation.

The large timber sliding shutters provide an effective means of controlling sunlight and heat entering through the extensive glazed elevation.

The shutters operate independently from the sliding glass doors, allowing the level of shading and natural light to be adjusted depending on how the space is being used.

The large glazed elevation also provides natural light and a strong visual connection with the surrounding landscape, while the timber shutters can be closed when additional shading, privacy or security is required.

One of the key challenges of the project was addressing the sunlight and heat that could penetrate the large glazed elevation.

The solution needed to provide effective shading without compromising the architectural appearance of the renovated barn or the connection between the interior and surrounding landscape.

The large timber shutters were therefore designed bespoke to the building, with their dimensions and positioning carefully coordinated with the sliding glass doors, internal timber posts and existing barn structure.

The combination of large-format sliding glass doors and bespoke timber shutters creates a flexible elevation that responds to the changing requirements of the building.

When the shutters are open, the large glazed elevation provides natural light and an uninterrupted connection with the surrounding landscape. When closed, the timber panels provide shading, privacy and security while maintaining the character of the barn.

The shutters also introduce natural timber detailing to the contemporary glazed elevation, helping the new elements sit comfortably alongside the existing structure.

• Sliding door system: minimal windows®
• Configuration: Five-panel sliding door system
• Overall span: Over 10m
• Sliding door arrangement: Panels slide into pockets positioned on either side of the opening
• Shutters: Bespoke large-format timber sliding shutters

Taunton, Somerset