Breathing New Life into a Lanercost Barn

A charming stone-walled barn in Lanercost has been thoughtfully transformed into a striking kitchen extension for a newly built home. The project carefully balances modern performance with the preservation of the barn’s original character, ensuring the space feels both authentic and comfortable.

To enhance thermal efficiency without compromising the building’s historic integrity, the internal walls were insulated using 75mm of Diathonite Thermactive cork-lime insulating plaster. This innovative material allowed the plasterer to work creatively, incorporating a mix of curved and square corners that echo the building’s traditional form. Crucially, this approach removed the need for bulky 150mm stud walls, helping to retain valuable internal space while maintaining the natural texture of the stone.

A lime-based Argatherm finishing plaster was then applied, providing a smooth yet breathable surface that works harmoniously with the building’s fabric. The final layer of breathable paint ensures moisture can pass through the walls, supporting a healthy indoor environment and the long-term durability of the structure.

This carefully considered approach demonstrates how traditional materials and modern techniques can come together to create a beautiful, functional living space.

Plastering on this project was carried out by DMB Building Ltd, specialist building contractors based in Cumbria.

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