Journal
1980s property reimagined for modern living
An exceptional design team of Palmer + Partners Architects, Last Interior Design and Richard Rogers Designs embrace natural light and serene rural surroundings.
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Hands on with Her Land
As Women in Construction Week begins and we approach International Women’s Day, we are pleased to highlight our involvement with Her Land.
Building the future with apprenticeships
As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2025 (10–16 February), we take immense pride in showcasing our talented apprentices and the vital role they play in shaping the future of construction.
Designed for farmstead life
Church Farm sits respectfully alongside a medieval church, whilst providing bright, modern living spaces that open up far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside.
Enhancing the timeless simplicity of an English country home
Its long, winding singletrack driveway, dreamy Brontë-esque bucolic setting and charming 18th-century Cotswold stone architecture made every inch of Oxfordshire Farmhouse worth saving.
Breathing new life into Mill House
Just as every listed building is unique, so is every restoration specification. With over two decades of experience, heritage restoration has become a cornerstone of Barr Group’s expertise. As such the team were delighted to be commissioned to work alongside Tyack Architects and Debbie Gee Interiors to renovate this listed Cotswolds townhouse, headlined by the addition of a traditional stone-matched garden room.
Amongst the trees
When our clients set out to create a high-quality, sustainable woodland dwelling, their brief for project architect Matt Hinkins of West Waddy Archadia (WWA) was to maximise the connection to the woods and ensure low-carbon longevity.
Roell House: a project with passion and preservation at its core
Experienced project manager Victoria works alongside STL Architecture and the Barr Build team to restore and enhance her family’s forever home.
Listed cottage extended and refurbished for modern living
Working to the vision of architect and Barr Build client Brian Tracey, through four separate build phases, the team feel intrinsically invested in the South Cottage structural journey.
Ridgeley Farmhouse
The replacement of twin industrial buildings for a unique double-sectioned dwelling, designed to "belong" within its stunning greenbelt setting.
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A ‘from-scratch’ replacement dwelling, by Anderson Orr
Where a traditional-style red brick facade transitions to Crittall-glazed, timber-clad modernity.
The complete works of Northend Farmhouse
Over the past decade, and across several work phases, Barr Group have carefully restored structural elements of Northend Farmhouse.
CIOB Team Award win
At Barr Build we believe, first and foremost, in people. Together our team and our collaborators bring extraordinary design-led spaces to life.
Taking a careful approach to a crafty old fox
A project with both preservation and enhancement at its heart.
National Apprenticeship Week 2024
National Apprenticeship Week 2024 provides a platform to spotlight our ongoing commitment to our apprenticeship programme.
Serene escape; where perfect form meets exceptional function
Our clients and design collaborators continue to find innovative ways to create exciting new multipurpose spaces. The ultimate annex can be used year-round, has a low carbon footprint, and enhances the well-being of its users (as well as the wildlife around it).
The renovation of an inspirational literary burrow
Sawrey House is a charming Georgian doll's house-style property, perfectly proportioned and sitting front and centre of a quintessential Cotswolds village.
Barr Group: CIOB Awards finalists
Our journey to the CIOB Awards finals was marked by our work on Ridgeley Farmhouse, a unique double-sectioned dwelling, designed to belong within its stunning Buckinghamshire setting.
Behind the scenes at Old Grove Farm
Sympathetic restoration and transformation of a 17th-century farmstead.
Deck the halls
With sustainability in mind, we have taken the liberty of sharing our recipe for sustainable seasonal decorations.
Celebrating the old through the new
A modern living space with sustainability at its core.
A tonal tour of Admirals House
Joa Studholme, Farrow & Ball author and colour curator, shares her scheme for this striking Barr Group renovation project.
Bathroom design project nears completion
As the completion date for our latest bathroom design project approached, we found ourselves immersed in the final preparations to welcome our client.
Sustainable innovations at Ferry Cottage
The Ferry Cottage project seamlessly blends historic charm with cutting-edge environmental technologies to create a residence that stands as a beacon of eco-conscious building practices.
Small-scale and carefully considered
Our clients, along with their young daughter and Plank the dog, had long held a vision which would revolutionise family living in their end-of-terrace stone cottage.
Going solo
We explore a client-led renovation project, characterised by accelerated onset with ongoing design work.
Unique alignment
This month saw the completion of an exceptional flint and timber contemporary replacement residence.
A new lease of life
Having carried out refurbishment work for our clients at Capere Way a few years ago, Barr Build were delighted to hear from them again.
Mamma Mia – ready for a further 40 years!
Award-winning pizzeria moves to new premises next door; extended and refurbished but "almost the same"!
Exciting new chapter for Cotswolds estate
Barr Build act as principal contractor, alongside a truly exceptional project team.
The Potting Shed: set for cosy guest living
The conversion of a traditional brick and stone outbuilding into a standalone guest annex. Works were carried out on a cost-plus basis and were aligned with the recently renovated main house.
Heritage barns repurposed
Having made a huge lifestyle change to country living, away from easily accessible London amenities, our clients were keen to make best use of their new property’s barns and adjacent landscaped outdoor pool area.
A unique reimagining by Jane Duncan Architects
The replacement of twin industrial buildings for a unique double-sectioned dwelling, designed to "belong" within its stunning greenbelt setting.
Maresfield House: the epitome of sophisticated simplicity
The renovation and remodelling of a 17th-century country residence, where the restoration of original architectural features balanced perfectly with elegant modern finishes throughout.
The Old Bakery: raised and remodelled
Set in the heart of a pretty Cotswolds village, beside a bubbling brook, our clients' family home at The Old Bakery is the epitome of charmed English village living.
CIOB CEO Caroline Gumble visits Grade II-listed Barr Build restoration
The Barr Build team were recently privileged to host a visit from the CEO of the Chartered Institute of Building, Caroline Gumble.
The Wildings
Our clients, the renowned interior designer Peter Mikic and media consultant Sebastian Scott, sought to create an unassuming exterior for their extraordinary rural retreat. The 1,000-square-metre dwelling, built from scratch by Barr Group, is a low-rise stone walled structure, capped with sections of burnished bronze cladding.
Celebrating mid-century character
Having purchased a striking 1970s property, set in the conservation area of a pretty Buckinghamshire village, our clients' aim was to complete ground-floor renovation works before the arrival of their new family addition!
Work in progress: Ferry Cottage
The restoration and extension of Fern Cottage, a beautiful riverside house in Oxfordshire, is currently in progress.
Hill+View shortlisted for the 2022 Manser Medal
We are delighted to announce that Hill+View has been shortlisted for the 2022 AJ Architecture Awards’ prestigious Manser Medal.
The Hide revisited
Alongside HollandGreen Architecture, we celebrate The Hide’s shortlisting for the British Homes Awards 2022 House of the Year (over 2,500 sq ft)!
Original meets contemporary
Working alongside Napier Clarke Architects and Last Interior Design, Barr Group carried out the whole-house renovation and structural remodelling of a classic brick and flint farmhouse.
Room to grow
A cleverly designed ground floor rear extension, which increased the ground floor square meterage, whilst improving its functionality and flow.
From the revered pen of Ptolemy Dean
Embarking on a project journey with one of the country's most eminent historic buildings architects was one to be embraced with enthusiasm and reverence.
Team BG Tough Mudder
The great thing about a Tough Mudder is that it takes everyone pulling together to get through it, and absolutely everyone brings something to the party.
A bijoux jewel in a treasure trove of retailers
A jewel in Thame’s collection of treasured independent retailers, Pretty Like Pictures, and Robin its proprietor, are very much public property in our bustling Oxfordshire market town.
Park life: London living with a touch of luxe
When Lorna Wright trained in interior design – nearly a decade ago – she was already armed with an impressive career prologue and reflected transferable skill set. A "first" career in global commercial marketing had ingrained stringent and wide-reaching project management skills.
Barr Group achieve Chartered Building Company certification
Barr Group Ltd. are extremely proud to announce our accreditation as a Chartered Building Company with The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Embracing the Clyde House curves
At Clyde House, a renovation and extension, designed by Ibbett Architecture and executed by Barr Group, included a whole house of stunning made-to-measure cabinetry.
The Stonor Park journey
Barr Build are privileged to be acting as principal contractor on the project; proud to play a part in the structural journey of this truly outstanding building.
The Barr Group 2022 apprentice search
Alongside National Apprentice Week, Barr Group celebrated 15 years of their thriving (and award-winning) apprenticeship programme.
The Bix Farm story
Bix Farm sits serenely into the rolling Berkshire countryside; creating flow, for three generations and guests to live ‘separately together’
Hollow Brook: the backstory and the full enki magazine feature
The flagship Barr Group conversion of a concrete framed agricultural building into a highly unique and sustainable family home.
The realisation of The Hide
When our clients spotted a run-down bungalow, perched on the hillside in a small hamlet just north of Berkhamsted, they found themselves with an difficult decision to make - it was a wonderful site and a residence with enormous potential… but equally a huge undertaking!
A minimalist modernisation of a Thames-side apartment
Set within a converted warehouse building, with its history in the hemp trade and shipping chandlery, the Barr Group team worked closely with Last Interior Design, to turn a dark and enclosed riverside apartment into a light, airy, restful abode.
The design minds behind Meadow Barn; and how moving there has been life-changing for its new owners
Meadow Brook started life as a disused livestock shed; a huge metal frame ready and waiting for its next incarnation.
A suite on two storeys: tailor-made for panelled perfection
The remodelling and refurbishment of the master suite at Ferry House was designed by our clients themselves and translated into a structural specification and finishing schedule by the Barr Build Direct to Client team.
Maddi Sharkey shares her build story
Maddi shares her experience of transforming a chocolate box cottage into her dream modern home. of creating her dream home with the help of Barr Build.
Nurturing talent: apprentices of today... the Barr Group leaders of tomorrow
As a building and manufacturing company, our workforce is the lifeblood of our company.
Why Barr Build? An Interview with the directors
Directors Chris Noonan, Stuart Barr and David Noonan discuss the recent rebrand and share exclusive insights into the ethos at Barr Build.
The Mulberry Cottage fairy tale
The renovation story of a delightful stone and timber clad cottage in idyllic South Oxfordshire.
The Mayfield Barn eco-vision; in tune with its surroundings without costing the earth
Mayfield Barn was the first in a pair of Dutch barn conversions situated in fields just outside the village of Long Crendon.
A niche garden room with character
A light-filled garden room with unique features to compliment a Grade II listed residence.
Floristry studio in the countryside: a glance into the world of Claire Bowen
We take a much-anticipated tour of 'Honeysuckle and Hilda’, the floristry studio founded by Florist and Writer, Claire Bowen.
Crinan: the Buckinghamshire barn with a highlands inspired outlook
We explore Stuart and Charlie Barr's own converted barn, a family home inspired by childhood holidays in Scotland.
A collaborative project in memory of Melissa Lancashire
Over the past couple of months Barr Group have had the privilege of working with the team at Lord Williams’s school and some truly fantastic collaborators on a memorial project, in honour of a much loved teacher and member of the Thame community.
Isolation or blissful seclusion?
Interior Designer Lara Clarke has ensured that anyone lucky enough to stay at Asher House, a recent Barr Group renovation, would unequivocally claim the latter.
A timeless extension for a Grade II-listed farmhouse
Bringing space and light into a 1600's Oxford residence, while complimenting the original architecture.
Rustic outdoor living
Let us inspire you with outdoor living spaces that are perfect for socialising, whatever the weather.