A Dutch barn conversion by RX Architects based in Rye has been nominated for Archdaily’s Building of the Year 2026, an international award.
The disused barn in Horsmonden, Kent has been converted into a light airy house whilst keeping the building in touch with its agricultural past. The architects retained the existing steel frame and curved corrugated roof exposed in the building but wrapped the outside with insulation, larch timber cladding, galvanised metal sheets and a red curved corrugated metal roof. Inside the open plan living space has long windows looking out over the wildflower meadows, orchards, woodland and hops surrounding the house.
The building includes elements to make it more energy efficient including insulated timber framed walls and a concrete floor and also provides renewable energy using PV panels on the roof, and an air source heat pump.
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