UK Construction Journal - Issue 1 - April 2026 - Flipbook - Page 20
helps walls regulate moisture and dry naturally, reducing the
risk of condensation and mould while providing strong thermal
performance.
Diasen Diathonite Thermactive.037 helps to retain heat,
improving year-round comfort. A 50mm application can
enhance a wall’s thermal performance by up to four times,
and its elasticity, which is around ten times greater than that of
conventional plasters, helps to prevent cracking and supports
the long-term durability of the restored building.
Neil Turner, UK Technical Manager at Ecological Building
Systems, shares:
“
Diasen Diathonite Thermactive.037 is well suited to major
internal renovations of historic buildings and solid wall
construction, such as The Farmstead Project. In this case, it
was specified as part of a wider retrofit strategy to help
manage moisture while improving thermal performance.
Working closely with O’Neil Associates allowed the
building to be upgraded to modern performance
requirements while retaining vapour-open, compatible
materials.”
Bob O’Neil, Architect and Owner at O’Neil Associates,
explains:
“
One of the key successes of this project was involving
Ecological Building Systems from the very beginning
to model and refine our thermal performance strategy.
Their expertise in working with heritage buildings
was invaluable in ensuring this older building could
be upgraded to modern airtightness standards while
maintaining appropriate moisture management. It was
our first time using Diasen Diathonite Thermactive.037
and having a member of Ecological Building Systems’
technical team on-site ensured we achieved the best
possible results.”
Originally built as a two-unit dwelling with an attached cow
house, the farmstead has gradually been transformed over
the centuries as the needs of the farm evolved. In the 18th
century, the property was extended with the addition of the
shippon/cattle shed and further enhanced with neoclassical
design features.
The 19th century saw the construction of a large threshing
barn to the south and the east barn, followed by the addition
of steel-clad agricultural sheds during the 20th century. By
the time the new owners acquired the 500-acre site, the
farmstead had deteriorated to the point where significant
conservation work was required to make it habitable again.
The new owners’ vision was to breathe life back into the
farm, creating a sustainable and low-carbon farmhouse
that supported their wider regenerative farming ambitions.
Achieving this meant upgrading the building to modern
standards of thermal performance and airtightness without
compromising the integrity of its significant historic fabric, a
challenge for any conservation-led project.
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