Issue 48 AUG 25 web - Flipbook - Page 51
Letting the Light In:
A Dartmoor Barn Conversion
Rooted in Craft, Conservation
and Local Character
When Issy and Murray Bryars first set eyes on the dilapidated granite barn that sat quietly
beside their Dartmoor farmhouse, they saw more than just an agricultural relic. They saw a
future retreat;one that would allow visitors to connect with Dartmoor’s dramatic beauty in a
space that honoured its past, supported the local economy, and embraced sustainable building
practices.
Their vision has since taken shape in the form of a
strikingly understated, light-filled holiday let that
seamlessly blends into the surrounding National Park
landscape. More than just a sympathetic conversion, the
project reflects a deep commitment to local sourcing,
environmental responsibility, and architectural integrity;
a showcase of what can be achieved when modern needs
are balanced with conservation values.
A Barn with a Backstory
Set within Dartmoor National Park, where every
alteration to the landscape is closely scrutinised, the barn
presented both an opportunity and a challenge. While
not a Listed structure, the barn lay within a sensitive rural
setting. Planning permission came with the expectation
that all changes would preserve the original character of
the building and reflect the wider vernacular of the moor.
“The goal from day one was to be as environmentally friendly
and locally minded as we could,”explains Issy. “We didn’t
want the building to lose its agricultural honesty, but we also
wanted it to offer a really special experience for guests, full
of light, warmth and comfort, but without compromising its
identity.”
From the outset, the couple set themselves a clear brief:
to work with local businesses, to make sustainable choices,
and to let the incredible Dartmoor surroundings take
centre stage.
Building with the Landscape
Achieving their goals meant thinking holistically. Every
material, fixture and fitting was chosen with both
aesthetics and ethics in mind. The glulam timber frame,
the central structural element of the barn’s interior was
sourced from Buckland Timber, based just a few miles
away. Its warmth and strength gave the space a contemporary yet natural feel, and helped support the openplan layout without disrupting the original shell.
