““It’s amazing what can be done with a simple stone box.”

This barn conversion renovation project in the Languedoc is an extreme example of what can be achieved in a simple rectangular stone barn. Accessible directly off a small road, the 1850-1880 original stone building was in a poor state but could be stripped out and completely redesigned. It benefited from a south facing rear elevation with small garden with open ground beyond, making the rear of this property very private.

Old stone barns are very common in France and make great barn conversions but be prepared to develop a radical plan to get the best out of the execution. Also, be careful to make sure that certain existing assets on the site are not too hastily demolished. In this project an existing concrete wine vat [called a cuve in French] was transformed into a plunge pool on the terrace above.

visualisation from the concept plans showing cut-away and wine vat turned into a plunge pool on the upper terrace with filtration equipment space below.

visualisation from the concept plans showing cut-away and wine vat turned into a plunge pool on the upper terrace with filtration equipment space below.

old concrete wine vat [cuve] converted to plunge pool

old concrete wine vat [cuve] converted to plunge pool

finished plunge pool from an old wine vat

finished plunge pool from an old wine vat

Plunge pool from a wine vat

Most wine making vats were already built in reinforced concrete and were used to contain liquid wine, so with the correct technical intervention, they can be used as pools. In this case, we added a floor to make the correct depth leaving a room for the pool equipment space below. We added an infinity edge for the sound effects and seats inside for relaxing and hey presto! It’s more than an irony to sit in the summer inside the wine cuve with a glass of champagne.

Reusing wine equipment and wine press as art objects

original ‘pressoir’ retained and moved as an art object in the courtyard. weighing over a tonne., it required a mechanical digger to move it.

original ‘pressoir’ retained and moved as an art object in the courtyard. weighing over a tonne., it required a mechanical digger to move it.

Industrial heritage including equipment make fantastic art objects when reused. In this project we recovered the original wine press and relocated it in the garden. Not an easy task as the central screw is solid steel. We needed a mechanical digger to move it. We also kept the original crane used to haul the grapes onto the upper floor. Reusing original equipment and integrating them into the design keeps the heritage onsite and adds character. With so much of this valuable heritage ending up in landfill or recycling centres, it’s a reminder of how things used to be done. It adds a tangible sense of place, history and provenance to the original building.

Practical design insights:

  • Stairs recessed to the side elevation to conserve ground floor open plan space

  • L-shaped stairs distribute to upper floor zones for maximum head height

  • 1st floor private terrace

  • Bi-folding rear doors to south facing courtyard with maximum opening for light

  • Conversion of an existing concrete wine cuve into a plunge pool accessible from the master bedroom terrace

  • Re-use of original wine making equipment as garden art objects

  • Second concrete pool in the landscaped courtyard

  • Grey travertine finishes