The Old Byre, Isle of Wight

EAL Consult worked with Gianni Botsford Architects to provide energy consultancy for The Old Byre, an innovative project to convert two farm buildings into living and offices spaces for visiting artists.

The project

The Old Byre is set on pastureland above West Cowes. This conversion of two understated farm buildings on the Isle of Wight creates a new home while also offering residency and working spaces for visiting artists. The project retains the footprint and structure of the original barns, wrapping them in insulation and corrugated cement board on the exterior.

The two buildings that make up The Old Byre have been purposefully left disconnected, with passages and crossings between private and social spaces, through the cool morning air, rain and summer heat. At night, the translucent polycarbonate windows hint at activity on the inside. In the older barn, a house within a house has been built from spruce plywood. A back alley connects the more intimate, private interiors, tempered and modulated by full-height doors without traditional handles or locks.

Assessing the Thermal Elements of the Development

EAL Consult’s role in the project was to complete the calculations to make sure the buildings complied with Part L of the Building Regulations for existing buildings. The process included assessments of the insulation, heating and glazing elements specified in the plans, all to support the intention of retaining the buildings rather than demolishing them.

RIBA Award 2025

The Old Byre has been much recognised for its innovative design including RIBA South Region and National Awards in 2025.