Working with History to Build the Future - Wapan, Hemp, Wood & Lime
‘The greenest building is the one that already exists’
Carl Elefante, former president of the American institute of Architects
At Barefoot Architects, we believe that old buildings still have a lot to offer. With care, creativity and the right materials, we can make them fit for the future while maintaining the qualities that make them special. We are currently working on a deep retrofit of a 16th Century farmhouse - one of the oldest houses in the area. It’s the kind of building that would normally be listed, but after years of unsympathetic alterations it had lost much of its charm. The result was a tired and uninspiring house, its historic value hidden under layers of poor adaptation.
Our approach has been more archaeological than nostalgic. We’ve taken an inquisitive, unsentimental look at the building’s fabric, carefully peeling back layers to rediscover some of its earlier qualities. We’ve revealed some moments of character, texture and craft - and a lot more unsympathetic materials and workmanship! These are being kept and revealed and are now being woven into a contemporary structure using natural materials and modern building technologies. The aim isn’t to restore it to a past form, but to create something genuinely new that’s enriched by the memory of what came before, a 21st-century home that respects its history.
Natural Materials, Modern Performance
We’re insulating the walls with hempcrete; a breathable mix of hemp and lime that helps the building stay dry and warm, while also locking in carbon. We’re also using woodfibre board, recycled newspaper and recycled glass on the floors and roof, providing extra insulation without sealing the building up in petrochemicals. These materials allow the building “breathe” naturally. That means fewer problems with damp, a more stable indoor temperature, and a healthier home that feels better to be in.
Heating and Ventilation That Make Sense
To keep the house warm and fresh, we’re fitting a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system. It brings in fresh air and takes out stale air without letting the heat escape. For heating, we’re using an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), which draws warmth from the air outside. Together, these systems mean the house will stay comfortable year-round, using far less energy than before.
Reusing What We Already Have
During the build, we’ve salvaged bricks, tiles, stone and timber from parts of the building that needed repair and replacement. These materials are being repurposed to build the Wapan walls of two new homes on site. Wapan is a way of building that uses reclaimed materials in a thoughtful and creative way, giving old materials a new life and reducing waste in the process.
This farmhouse is a great example of how to bring old buildings into the 21st century without losing what makes them unique. It’s hard work, and in many ways more complex than building a new building, but the end result can be special.
If you’re looking at an old building and wondering how to make it future-proof without compromising what’s already there, we’d love to help.