I was commissioned to reimagine two neglected rural barns in the Dordogne, transforming them into contemporary holiday gites while honouring their agricultural heritage. These stone and render buildings had fallen into disrepair, but their robust construction and authentic period features spoke of generations of rural life – stories I wanted to preserve and continue.
Mountain Fold’s approach balanced reverence with practicality. Working closely with the client, the proposal restores the weathered stone and render envelope to its former dignity while sensitively adapting interiors for modern comfort. The design strategy respected the buildings’ original proportions and character while introducing the amenities today’s visitors expect.
The larger gite spans three floors, with a welcoming kitchen and open-plan living areas at ground level flowing into bedrooms and bathrooms on the upper floors. The second gite offers more intimate two-storey accommodation, cleverly arranging a ground-floor bedroom and shower room alongside the main living spaces, with additional bedrooms and bathroom above. Throughout both conversions, we retained existing openings – these apertures had been positioned by generations of practical builders who understood light, weather, and daily use. New doors and windows honour these proportions while meeting contemporary performance standards, and carefully positioned rooflights bring natural light deep into the upper floors without compromising the roofscape.
The project demonstrates my belief that historic buildings can embrace new uses without losing their essential character. Traditional construction methods that had weathered decades deserved respect, not replacement. My initial feasibility and concept design established this conservation-led approach, after which a local French architect carried the scheme through planning and construction, ensuring compliance with regional building traditions and regulations.
