Farm office design
At Melrose Designs, we take pride in delivering thoughtful, functional, and regulation-compliant architectural solutions. Our latest project at Gorse Farm showcases our approach to rural architecture—balancing traditional agricultural charm with modern standards for efficiency, fire safety, and comfort.
A Purpose-Built Farm office design for a Working Environment
This bespoke design proposal replaces an existing structure at Gorse Farm with a new two-storey building that will house a farm office and an adjoining garage/storage area. The proposed building has been carefully designed to meet both the practical needs of a working farm and the technical requirements of UK Building Regulations.
The design incorporates a simple, efficient footprint with distinct zones for office and storage use, separated for fire safety with FD30S-rated doors, ensuring 30 minutes of fire resistance. The first floor is accessed via a timber staircase enclosed in a fire-rated structure, also offering FD30S fire doors to provide protected escape routes.
Construction Features with Long-Term Performance in Mind
The proposed construction follows best practices for durability and thermal performance:
- Foundations: The building will be supported on 600mm wide strip foundations, with a depth of 1200mm or to match adjacent drainage levels, ensuring robust structural integrity in various soil conditions.
- Walls: External cavity walls feature 95mm Dritherm insulation and stainless steel cavity ties for thermal efficiency and structural reliability. Below DPC (damp-proof course), walls are reinforced with lean-mix concrete for additional strength.
- Floor Construction: A 100mm thick concrete floor slab, laid over sand-blinded hardcore and a DPM (damp proof membrane), ensures durability and moisture control. A 25mm insulation perimeter further enhances thermal performance.
- Roof: The pitched roof is formed using attic and standard trusses, supporting slates laid to a 40° pitch, with integrated ventilation and insulation (120mm Kingspan between rafters), ensuring comfortable interior conditions all year round.
Energy Efficiency Meets Building Regulations
Energy performance is a priority in this project. The building envelope is designed to meet or exceed current Building Regulation requirements:
- Wall U-value: Max 0.28 W/m²·K
- Roof U-value: Max 0.16 W/m²·K
- Floor U-value: Max 0.22 W/m²·K
- Windows & Doors: All glazing uses Pilkington “K” glass with 16mm air gaps, achieving a U-value of 1.6 W/m²·K for windows and 1.8 W/m²·K for doors
In addition, all lighting will use compact fluorescent or LED fittings with luminous efficacy above 40 lumens per circuit watt, reducing operational energy demand over time.
Drainage & Site Integration
To manage rainwater and foul drainage, the plan incorporates:
- Rodable gullies for easy maintenance
- Surface water runoff directed to an existing watercourse
- 100mm UPVC pipework laid to a 1:40 fall, encased in gravel or concrete as appropriate
The design also respects the site’s existing boundaries and landscape, retaining the rear boundary fence and adjacent ditch.
Safety, Comfort, and Compliance
Melrose Designs integrates safety without compromise:
- Fire Resistance: Key structural components and room partitions are designed to resist fire for up to 60 minutes.
- Cold Bridging: All lintels, cavity closures, and junctions are insulated to prevent thermal bridging and condensation issues.
- Ventilation: Windows feature trickle vents sized for at least 8000mm² per habitable space, ensuring fresh air circulation.
- Electrical Safety: All electrical installations will conform to BS 7671, with mandatory inspection, testing, and certification.
Rural Aesthetic with Practical Elegance
The design complements the character of Gorse Farm’s rural setting. The use of rustic facing brick externally and a simple gable roof form aligns with traditional agricultural architecture, while discreet modern detailing ensures low maintenance and longevity.
Farm office design Conclusion
The Gorse Farm Office and Garage project exemplifies our core principles at Melrose Designs: smart rural design, practical execution, and full regulatory compliance. Whether it’s a replacement farm building or a new home extension, we always strive for design solutions that enhance how our clients live and work.
If you’re planning a similar project in the Wigan area or surrounding countryside, don’t hesitate to get in touch for a free initial consultation.