Studio Weave Turns a 158 sq m Isle of Wight Barn Into a Retreat

Studio Weave founder Je Ahn transformed a 158 sq m barn on a working farm near Cowes on the UK's Isle of Wight into his own pared-down retreat, guided by a concept the practice calls "deep reuse".

The modest agricultural building, with fabric more than 50 years old, now functions as a modern home that retains much of its original material character. Ahn acquired the existing barn and redesigned it himself, working within a tight budget.

"The budget was limited, but the project had an inherent sense of luxury in that I was in the unusual position of being my own client, so I could respond more nimbly and directly to project demands, such as the site's conditions, market pricing and contractor capacity," Ahn said.

What is 'deep reuse'?

Ahn describes the guiding idea of the project in direct terms. "The concept of 'deep reuse' informs the design – we repurpose materials we have found on site, both [for] their narrative and practical value, in rebuilding this agricultural building. We also understand the importance of understanding the way people live – this project makes a backdrop for people's lives," he said.

The Studio Weave team kept many of the original materials, often leaving them exposed, and repaired them only to align the building with 21st-century habitation. The designers made minimal overall changes so the new house feels as if it has always been there.

"You cannot design the feel of an aged building – we knew it was important to retain the elements which expressed the passing of time. Studio Weave's aim is to open up the building, both practically and metaphorically – making South Barn more accessible to the new inhabitants," Ahn said.

How is the house laid out?

A large open-plan kitchen and living area, featuring large windows, forms the heart of the home. A small corridor leads off it to three bedrooms.

Meticulous detailing and craftwork bring the fabric back to life, executed in collaboration with maker Mike at Imphouse and his team. The landscape design was a separate collaborative work, produced together with Tom Massey Studio.

Why did the architect approach it this way?

Ahn framed the project in terms of flexibility and restraint. "It [is a project that] ties to ideas of flexibility, comfort and looseness – ultimately, having the trust and confidence to be relaxed about the result," he said in 2025, as he was completing the project.

He described a building that made him smile – an attitude of effortlessness combined with luxury that permeates the small scheme. The result is as utilitarian and raw as it is lush and charming, and a celebration of the building's agricultural context and structural integrity.

South Barn stands as a working demonstration of Studio Weave's reuse ethos: with limited funds and a light touch, an aging farm structure can house contemporary life without erasing the evidence of time.