The Old Dairy

About the Project:

“The Old Dairy” — A complete transformation of a former milking parlour to a stunning contemporary home in East Devon.

What was once a simple, inward-looking former milking parlour has been completely reimagined as a light-filled contemporary home, carefully designed around its rural setting and views across the East Devon landscape. Although previously converted in the 1980s, the building lacked clarity, connection and a sense of place. Our approach focused on reshaping and extending the existing structure to create a home that feels open, calm and grounded in its surroundings. The design combines the original footprint with a contemporary extension, introducing vaulted ceilings and large areas of glazing that draw in natural light and frame views of the valley beyond. A new multi-pitched roof form, complete with integrated solar panels, sits alongside a strong stone chimney, giving the home a clear identity while remaining rooted in its context. Externally, traditional Devon materials including local stone and river-pebble walling help anchor the building within the landscape. A carefully designed ramped entrance leads into a sheltered, contemporary threshold that balances accessibility with arrival. At the heart of the home is a dramatic double-height living space, centred around a substantial stone fireplace. The space flows openly beneath a mezzanine level, creating volume, connection and a sense of calm throughout. Natural materials and a restrained palette bring warmth and texture, allowing the architecture and setting to take centre stage. This project is a thoughtful transformation of former agricultural buildings into a modern rural home, demonstrating how existing structures can be reworked to create something both timeless and entirely new.