The clients approached us with a contentious planning permission, which we were able to successfully resolve with the planning department, contrary to the current local policies. This derelict Cotswold stone barn was then converted into a dramatic two bedroom house. The challenge, as with most barn conversions, was to achieve enough head height under the existing roof trusses to allow a single staircase to access both sides. As with most successful designs, a simple solution was found; locally dropping the floor of the gallery, with a few steps up into each bedroom. The interior has a very contemporary feel (including rubber bathrooms and a concrete worksurface), whilst preserving the integrity and history of the existing building, and leaving the exterior largely unaltered.