A thoroughly modern barn conversion
— 04 Nov 2025
The bespoke steel-framed windows were essential to create flow between the interior and exterior, and beautiful furniture created by local designer Trew and Bold complements reclaimed and inherited items
The lofty open spaces of the main living area contrast with the more intimate bedroom areas
The barn retains an agricultural feel with the larch cladding
Location, location, location – the quality of the landscape that the barn sits in is paramount
A recent piece in The Telegraph celebrated the lifestyle afforded to Lucy and Beetle Rhind thanks to their beautifully converted barn in the Devon countryside.
The couple sold their London flat and having both grown up in the West country, were looking to move back to a spacious open plan home in which to bring up their growing family. However, finding something with the space and accommodation they were after within budget proved difficult.
Jonathan Rhind Architects were on hand to advise, and suggested that Class Q legislation could be their way to achieving a new home in the countryside. The strict criteria around Class Q conversions can put people off, but as a form of permitted development, Class Q is a really effective way to achieve a new home in a rural setting where a full planning application wouldn’t be considered.
The ex-cow barn that Lucy and Beetle found was 15 years old and provided them with the space they wanted. Lucy commented, We let the barn’s structure lead us in how we designed the space…We never wanted to hide the fact that it was a barn. This resulted in a large open living space occupying almost two thirds of the barn with full double height ceiling. The bedroom areas incorporate a mezzanine floor to create cosier more intimate spaces.
The interiors are a combination of non-negotiable items which were really important to Lucy and Beetle, such as the custom made steel framed Fabco windows and doors and the power-floated concrete floor; combined with reclaimed lab benches for kitchen worktops, ebay finds, and gifted furniture. Farrow and Ball paint adds a splash of colour to the children’s bedrooms and the striking silver birch and ash handmade dining table and benches are by local furniture designer Trew and Bold.
Class Q was introduced in 2014 and refreshed in 2024 to allow more flexibility in the rules around what is possible. We published a handy guide to Class to include these updates here Class Q permitted development explained. And if you are considering a Class Q barn conversion it is worth taking a look.
Considerations which Jonathan says are important to bear in mind, are the location; You can change the quality of the barn that you purchase, but the quality of the landscape that it sits in is paramount; and also the proportions, Consider how you want to live once you move in. Decide whether you want to live in a big family room, or if you want areas of separation, because the proportions of barns are quite different from those of houses.
