Simon Baker has transformed this compact Welsh barn into a stunning modern home

WORDS & PHOTOS ANTHONY HARRISON

Slate is a major characteristic of the conversion, featuring on the roof and south elevation. In addition, a picket fence has been formed with slate offcuts

The dark grey air source heat pump blends in with the external finishes

Simon Baker gained his degree at the Royal College of Music and worked for several years as a professional pianist – before going on to make a big career switch to become a London policeman. In order to cope with the stresses of his new job, he soon realised a complete overhaul was required to attain the right work/life balance. Simon had already remodelled a Victorian semi-detached property, which ignited his appetite to take on an even bigger project. “I then bought a flat in Stockwell in early 2012 when prices were still a bit depressed,” he says. “Selling that provided capital for a more ambitious undertaking.”

Change of pace

Simon’s research turned up an old barn that was up for auction in the heart of Snowdonia, and the agents said the vendor might be open to an offer. Since the location was promising, Simon went to take a look. “I fell in love with it on the spot,” he says. “_e place ticked all my boxes, though it had no formal permission to convert and was in a National Park with restrictive covenants.” Plus, dual planning procedures with both the Snowdonia National Park and the National Trust (NT) were in effect. This was due to covenants dating back to when the latter organisation had owned the land.

FACT FILE

NAME Simon Baker

OCCUPATION Police officer

LOCATION Snowdonia

TYPE OF PROJECT Barn conversion

STYLE Traditional

CONSTRUCTION METHOD Stone

PROJECT ROUTE Commissioned an architect and builder, homeowner project managed

PLOT SIZE 6.75 acres

PROPERTY COST £63,001

BOUGHT December 2013

HOUSE SIZE 90m2

PROJECT COST £366,525

PROJECT COST PER M2 £4,073

TOTAL COST £429,526

BUILDING WORK COMMENCED June 2016

BUILDING WORK TOOK 1 year 10 months

VAT RECLAIM £20,486

CURRENT VALUE £380,000

Built-in storage with sliding doors helps to make the most of the space

“Out of the two, the National Parks Authority was far easier to deal with,” says Simon. “_eir people were responsive and helpful.” Simon found the National Trust application process rather opaque. “You approach the local branch and they advise. Next, they submit to their National Central Architecture Panel in London – and you’re not allowed to attend the meeting,” he says. “There’s little awareness about how to deal with the Trust and few solicitors or architects seem to have any experience with them. You ask them for guidance and a summary of their requirements – but in vain! It’s tricky, and without a right of appeal unless you go through the legal system.”