2 days ago
We transformed an old cow shed into an incredible Welsh home
We transformed an old cow shed into an incredible Welsh home
'You turn up and there's basically four walls and a tin shed roof hanging off it'
The challenges are worth the effort when the result is this stunning conversion
(Image: Adref Construction )
From a building with just four stone walls and an iron roof hanging off the structure to a stunning home that was a finalist in the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) 2025 Awards, this transformation project was always going to be a challenge.
Hidden away off small country lanes and hard to locate in Pembrokeshire, open to the elements of wind, rain, and more rain, and literally just an empty stone shell waiting to be rescued and revived into life whilst complying fully with modern level of building regulations - who would take it on?
Enter the 'dream team' of Luke Jones and Aled Harries, carpenters by trade but now specialists in project management and quantity surveying too that, when combined, have created the company Adref Construction, who have turned this rundown cow shed into an almost unrecognisable country home. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
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The transformation of the empty cow shed, which more recently was a pottery, begins
(Image: Adref Construction )
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Aled says: "It was a traditional project in keeping with the nature of the building; the latest we knew about its past was that it was an old pottery at that it was located on the outskirts of the Preseli mountains.
"The character of the building and using traditional materials on it was quite special - we saw the plans and the detail from the architects Rural Office, which showed it was a very high spec project incorporating traditional materials, which takes time and effort but that was a big tick for us."
Luke Jones and Aled Harries who established Adref Construction
(Image: Adref Construction )
Luke adds: "W e've done quite a few jobs with this architect company and so we know the level of detail they're working to - it's high end stuff which means the client's expectations are high too.
"When you turn up and there's basically four walls and a tin shed roof hanging off it you know there's a long journey ahead but it's very exciting and great to get going with a project like this."
Aled and Luke, both aged 36 and from Croesgoch and Eglwyswrw respectively, are local and know the area well but not even that prepared them for the brutal weather that plagued the project as winter approached.
Inside the former barn as the roof construction above progresses
(Image: Adref Construction )
Luke says: "I think it was one of the wettest winters in a while - it seemed to rain from September to spring! So the weather was the main challenge of the project because of the traditional products we were using like lime for rendering and plastering.
"It's hard to use the traditional materials in the depths of winter when it's either too wet or too cold but you come across issues with these old cowsheds along the way."
From above the two different levels of roof and materials used plus the solar panels are revealed
(Image: Adref Construction )
Where other people might have been worn down by the wild Welsh weather, the duo's joy of working on such a special building in such a glorious corner of Wales was a constant uplift. Aled says: "S ometimes the sun would be out, sometimes it would be snowing, it had very adverse weather but to be working here, on my doorstep, was special and very peaceful.
"The section of the Preseli mountains you can see from the back of the barn is where my father's side of the family were brought up and where they would play when they were kids and it's where I'm from too, so that was quite special for me."
Aled has a soft spot for the pink tiles in the bathroom
(Image: Adref Construction )
Another aspect to the build that the pair had to contend with, as well as the weather, was lost delivery drivers. Aled says: " The back roads leading to it are not the usually back roads people would go on, a lot of people would get lost trying to find it - we had a bit of fun when we had people delivering to the property getting lost and trying to find them, but I think once you find this road, it's all fine."
The barn conversion's main build challenge was not just about its age and condition, but also about combining history with modern additions and with eco-friendly features.
Luke says: "W alls weren't built back then as they should be today, it was never meant to be lived in when it was built, so there were jobs such as underpinning the footings, rebuilding walls from bottom to top but making sure it looks like the original wall.
Kitchen is also pretty in pink
(Image: Adref Construction )
"The project was definitely more challenging than most because it is difficult to incorporate traditional methods such as lime, breathable products with new heating systems, underfloor heating and air source heat pump, insulation - but trying to couple that then with old stone walls - you've got to make the old building as newly insulated up to existing regulations without changing the look of it.
"The architect comes up with a lot of it of course, but then we have the challenges working through it to comply with building regulations and make sure products are compatible - it is a challenge but it is definitely worth it because now when you go in there now it's really well insulated, feels really warm, and the client says the energy bills are low.
The lounge is Luke's favourite space due to the its stone wall and exposed beam character
(Image: Adref Construction )
"The primary heating source is an air source heat pump which is obviously electric but we're offsetting that electric demand with solar panels and wood fibre insulation, not oil based so a lot better for the environment during production, so all the walls internally are clad with that insulation and then lime plastered."
When you are working on a building every day and it is your constant companion, in your thoughts as well as being your physical work place, some builders feel like they form a special bond and a unique relationship with it, and for Luke and Aled when the day finally came to hand over the barn keys to the owner, they felt 'a bit odd'.
The log burner keeps the lounge cosy but so does the insulation, double-glazing and underfloor heating provided by a heat source pump
(Image: Adref Construction )
Luke explains: " It's quite weird, you spend so much time there - every day for many months and give it your blood, sweat and tears and then you're handing the keys over, driving off and not coming back. B ut at the end of the day as long as the client and architect are happy - that's the main thing - and it's a good feeling to know that you're done a good job."
You know when a builder has fallen a little bit in love with one of their projects when they find it hard to target their favourite aspect of the finished property, and so it is for Aled. He says: "Outside, it's the guttering! You wouldn't hear someone say guttering is one of their favourite parts of a project but I just think this detailing is fantastic, it goes with the red windows. It is aluminium guttering so modern but looks traditional.
Even the smallest room in the converted barn has been given careful thought and design details
(Image: Adref Construction )
"Internally, it's the pink tiles up in the ensuite - I don't think they'd be everyone's cup of tea but for some reason I really like them, it's a lovely room too, but the kitchen is nice too though."
Aled mentions the guttering, downpipes and windows which illustrates the level of detail that went into converting this old barn, as he mentions the owner spent a lot of time researching and finding a tone of red as close to the traditional shade of Pembrokeshire red as possible.
For Luke, his favourite space inside the barn is the lounge that boasts an exposed stone wall, a log burner, a large arched window and exposed A-frame at the top of the double-height space.
The roof gets a special mention too, and so it should, with the two original different roofline levels kept and one given Welsh slate and the other a corrugated aluminium crown which brings the building's agricultural past centre stage into its future.
The mix of stone, wood and metal window frames, guttering and downpipes coated in a shade of Pembrokeshire red is a visual treat
(Image: Adref Construction )
Taking on a build that takes a ramshackle, empty former farm building and converts it into a home to have dreams about is a challenge, and the duo have some sound advice for anyone contemplating it. For more property stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here
Luke says: "Get the right architect, not every architect has the heritage skills and can produce the level of detail that Rural Office have, and then finding a building company that can work to the drawings because not everybody is able to work at this level of detail either.
"Also, as a client, you need to have a flexible budget and be willing to spend for this level of detail because unfortunately it doesn't come cheap and be understanding of this."
The builders fell in love with it, the client was thrilled, and the barn gets to live for many, many years to come
(Image: Adref Construction )
Aled adds: "Take your time, go through the details with the architect and builders, don't jump straight in and then have regrets about your decisions. Budget is key and so we are always transparent about costs, we monitor it all and keep the client well informed, I think that's the key to our success."
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The pair clearly know what they are talking about if the comments from the owner of this stunning barn are anything to go by, she says: "They are trustworthy, professional, and a pleasure to work with and have a rare eye for detail. We found working with Adref very easy, they stayed in contact with us and kept us in the loop with every stage of the building process and also a cost breakdown. We couldn't recommend them more highly."
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