Morlands Dutch Barn by Sandy Rendel Architects

ByJon Dykstra Houses

An outside shot of a glass-windowed, black metal house.

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Photography: Jim Stephenson

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software.

About Sandy Rendel Architects

Sandy Rendel Architects is a young award-winning practice founded in 2010 with a reputation for delivering well-crafted architecture and inventive design. We offer a full range of architecture, interior, and urban design services and have experience with a wide range of project types and clients.

Our work addresses the unique physical, environmental, and cultural contexts of each project to deliver long-term value and enduring meaning. We bring experience rather than preconceptions to each project to produce thoughtful, sensitive, and original designs. We believe in the importance of close collaboration with clients, users, contractors, and consultants to ensure that each design is a unique and appropriate response.

We are committed to a sustainable approach to architecture. This is underpinned by ensuring our work has the minimum environmental impact, through its construction and ongoing energy usage, and the maximum life, through its durability and tolerance to change.

Sandy Rendel Architects was named RIBA South East Emerging Practice of the Year in 2017.

Viewing the house from a different angle, we can see two windows on the left wall and a window in the back.
Viewing the house from a different angle, we can see two windows on the left wall and a window in the back.
The dog must be taking in the view of the barn from the window on the upper floor.
The dog must be taking in the view of the barn from the window on the upper floor.
Here's a clearer image of the house's metal walls with corrugated metal cladding.
Here’s a clearer image of the house’s metal walls with corrugated metal cladding.
A wooden staircase leading up to the second floor's entryway looks out into the bookshelves.
A wooden staircase leading up to the second floor’s entryway looks out into the bookshelves.
A spacious area where you may relax while reading a book, drinking coffee, and admiring the scenery through the big glass window.
A spacious area where you may relax while reading a book, drinking coffee, and admiring the scenery through the big glass window.
Sitting on the soft single sofa near the glass window, one enjoys the view of the beautiful wide barn.
Sitting on the soft single sofa near the glass window, one enjoys the view of the beautiful wide barn.
A space in the house next to the kitchen where you can relax by the window.
A space in the house next to the kitchen where you can relax by the window.
Look at the sketch of the farm with a unique naturalistic perennial garden.
Look at the sketch of the farm with a unique naturalistic perennial garden.
The detailed floor plan of the house.
The detailed floor plan of the house.
The house's one side is shown on the exterior plan.
The house’s one side is shown on the exterior plan.
Another exterior plan viewing the front of the house.
Another exterior plan viewing the front of the house.
The up and down interior plan of the house.
The up-and-down interior plan of the house.
A different angle of the interior sketch.
A different angle of the interior sketch.

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3d image of the house featuring the living space and kitchen.
3d image of the house featuring the living space and kitchen.
A beautiful sketch of the barn overlooking the house.
A beautiful sketch of the barn overlooking the house.

At Morlands Farm we have converted a 1930s agricultural dutch barn into a new family home under a Class Q of the General Permitted Development Order.

The barn is part of a wider farmstead and sits beside the Sussex Prairie Gardens, a unique naturalistic perennial garden on the South-East England gardens trail.

The conversion places sleeping and home office accommodation on the ground floor, reserving the vaulted upper story for a large open-plan living space with elevated views across the gardens.

The aim was to make a dwelling that is clearly legible as a former agricultural building in the landscape, with corrugated metal cladding used in conjunction with sliding metal shutters in reference to traditional agricultural building elements.

The project was awarded a RIBA South East Award in 2022 and named RIBA South East Small Project of the Year.

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Jon Dykstra
Jon Dykstra

Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.

His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.

His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn

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