Linford is working with 2008 Stirling Prize winners Feilden
Clegg Bradley on a revolutionary idea to find a new use for the
derelict field barns of the Yorkshire Dales.

The Feildbarn project is an exciting regeneration concept which has
identified both a conservation solution and a valuable use for many
of these 4,500 redundant historic buildings.

The concept revolves around finding new temporary 'guardians' for the
barns, who, in exchange for a contribution towards the necessary
repair of the fabric of the building, will be granted a temporary licence
to install a reversible 'eco-pod' which will offer an exclusive and
sustainable place to work, rest, play and stay.

Eco pods are compact free-standing wooden structures which can
be inserted into the barns without damaging the existing building fabric.
Power and services are then provided by a specially designed unit,
towed into place by the local guardian.

The design of the 'eco-pod' is in line with best building conservation
practice, is self-funding, 100% reversible and is (potentially) carbon neutral.

The Feildbarn scheme has already won support from the Yorkshire Dales National Park, English Heritage, and the Historic
Farm Buildings Group, and in July 2008 the project achieved a grant award of up to £15,000 from the Yorkshire Dales
National Park Authority under the Sustainable Development Fund Programme.

This funding assistance helped develop the design and then carry out the first test build installation, which saw the first eco-pod successfully installed by the Linford team in a barn on the Bolton Abbey Estate near Skipton in September 2008. Environmental monitoring has now begun, a process which will be undertaken for a minimum period of 12 months.

The eco-pods are intended initially as holiday accommodation, but Linford is continuing to work with FCB on modular designs
that would allow eco pods to be inserted into any disused building. The project aims to deliver significant benefits in both
conservation and regeneration and we believe it presents huge economic potential through job creation, economic
diversification, investment for rural economies and sustainable tourism.

Click here for our news story on the the Feildbarn project.

Project Team
Architects & Design Team Leaders Studio 8 at FeildenCleggBradleyStudios
Structural Engineers Integral Structural Design
Mechanical & Electrical Engineers Ernest Griffiths
Main Contractors Linford Group
The first barn we have worked with is owned by the Bolton Abbey Estate
For more information and images, visit www.feilbarn.info