Cow Shed to Coastal Sanctuary

From weathered cowshed to comfortable coastal home, David and Susan's self-build journey showcases how vision and thoughtful choices transform spaces into homes.

Nestled in the garden of their Cornish home, their single-level ICF bungalow effectively balances accessibility, energy efficiency, and thoughtful design. A standout feature of the project is the strategically placed Norrsken windows that frame countryside views, creating spaces that connect well with Cornwall's natural landscape.

Considering self build?

Join us as we catch up with Susan and explore how this couple's careful research and commitment to quality created a home that perfectly balances comfort, sustainability, and aesthetic harmony.

Finding Potential in an Old Cow Shed

What were your key considerations when searching for the perfect plot for your self-build project, and how did the existing cow shed influence your design?

My husband and I actually moved to Cornwall from Manchester about eight years ago. The building that eventually became our self-build project was this old cow shed on the plot of our property. Our original house, which is still there, is a listed building, and we also have a working barn between the cow shed and the original house. We're classic car restoration specialists, so we do all that work in the barn unit.

When we first moved down, converting or building something new wasn't even on our radar. But the original house has a lot of stairs - it's over three storeys - and my husband has some back and knee issues, so a bungalow seemed like the right choice for later life and just general accessibility.

We were lucky to be able to build in our own garden: the new footprint of our bungalow is about a meter wider than the old cow shed, which was a tin-roofed structure with mostly wooden vertical cladding.

Bringing the outdoors in: Large picture windows on the south-facing façade connect living spaces with stunning countryside views—exactly what drew David and Susan to choose Norrsken windows.

"Energy efficiency was always a big focus for us. Low U-value windows became a high priority."

This access route, which serves both the new bungalow and the classic car restoration business, created practical considerations for the bungalow's placement and orientation.

Designing for Views and Accessibility

Can you share your vision and inspiration behind the design and style of your self build project?

We knew we needed an architect. We really wanted to get it right and avoid any planning refusals. The wider building design allowed for a central corridor with rooms leading off to each side, and, importantly, it gave us amazing views all the way through the building out over the surrounding countryside.

What key factors influenced your decision in terms of size, laying out the space and other design choices you made?

We’re still in the existing house, so we've been able to take our time with it, which has been nice in some ways.

The views were a huge driver of the design. We really wanted to maximize them with these fixed pane 'picture windows,' which was a big contrast to the smaller, more traditional windows in the original house.

Our existing house is a listed barn that was converted by the previous owners in 2000 to residential use. Its windows consist of mostly 4 or 6 small panes of glass, and as it was built originally for animals and servants it doesn’t make the most of the views on our site.

And then, the car restoration business also had an impact. The corner as you approach is the turning circle for the cars, so we didn't want any windows there, and that ended up becoming the plant room. Part O regulations also limited the amount of glazing we could have, so we worked that into the design, avoiding windows where they weren't essential and opting for velux windows instead. Finally, we oriented the bedroom specifically to capture the views over the field.

The ICF Advantage: Building for Comfort

Can you describe the process of building with ICF, and what factors led you to choose this method?

We explored a few different building styles and structural methods, like SIPS and timber frame. I did a lot of reading of building magazines and self-build guides. The library was a lifesaver, because it gave me digital access to loads of self-build magazines.

Eventually, we found a local company that produced ICF, and we were able to visit another project built with it. We were really impressed with how warm it felt. Intuitively, having fewer gaps and not so many joins seemed like a sensible plan for thermal performance.

Our main goal was to have a home that would be cool in the summer and warm in the winter, we were happy to go with ICF to help us achieve that.

The transformation begins: The ICF structure takes shape, with thoughtful window placements already visible in the early construction phase.

"We really wanted to maximize the views with these fixed pane 'picture windows,' which was a big contrast to the smaller windows in the original house."

A closer look at the ICF (Insulated Concrete Formwork) walls during construction reveals the substantial thermal mass that attracted David and Susan to this building method.

Taking shape: The single-story design provides the accessibility David and Susan needed, while the carefully considered window placements ensure abundant natural light throughout.

Windows as a Focal Point: Maximizing Natural Light and Views

What were your initial ideas for the style and placement of windows and doors, and how did these evolve throughout the design process?

The picture windows were always a must for those views. Ventilation requirements also really influenced the design: we needed to ensure enough airflow so we could have the windows open at night without compromising the security of the bungalow. That eventually led us to tilt and turn windows, which seemed like the perfect solution.

Part O regulations also played a big role, because we had to mitigate overheating, which meant changing some units to Velux windows after the SAP calculations were completed. We also opted for fewer windows on the side facing our neighbors. They have a lovely garden, and we really wanted the building to blend in with the landscape and not impede or overlook them unnecessarily.

Choosing Norrsken: Quality That Speaks for Itself

At what stage did you decide to choose Norrsken windows, and what were the key factors that influenced your decision?

We went to see the Norrsken showroom, and that was it, really. We walked away saying, 'Those are the windows that we want.' It takes a lot of effort to go and see showrooms, and we didn't get to see too many. We saw Norrsken, and maybe one or two others at shows and showrooms.

We knew we wanted wooden, aluminium-clad windows, and even though some other products had slimmer frames, our barn-style build seemed to work better with the slightly chunkier frames that Norrsken offered.

" We walked away from the Norrsken showroom saying, 'Those are the windows that we want.' "

We wanted the windows to be as large as possible on the ‘view’ side to really maximize that aspect. We also chose a stone grey color - while we've used anthracite in the past, we wanted a color this time that would complement the wood externally as it ages over time.

We've also gone for underfloor heating and bamboo flooring, which is harder than oak, and we really wanted to match the timber floors to the wooden window frames.

We're using Thermopine vertical wooden cladding externally, which will silver with age and look better over time, we think. It's the same with the wooden windows, really. We wanted something that would stand the test of time.

Energy Efficiency: A Priority from the Start

Sustainability and energy efficiency are often important factors in modern construction. How important was energy efficiency to your self-build, and how did Norrsken windows contribute to achieving your goals?

Energy efficiency was always a big focus for us. When we first started, we didn't really know much about U-values or R-values, but you learn so much over the course of a build. Low U-value windows became a high priority, and we spent a lot of time comparing manufacturers. We subscribed to Build It magazine to learn more about energy-efficient self-building. The Build Hub Forum was also incredibly useful for information from other self-builders and their own experiences.

Working with Norrsken: A Collaborative Experience

Can you describe your experience working with Norrsken, from initial consultation to installation?

Absolutely wonderful. We had multiple quote revisions as changes to Part O and our new SAP calculations affected the glazing, and they always helped us out. There was constant email back and forth with Nick, and any tweaks or size adjustments we needed, Nick always came back with options. The Norrsken team really spent time with us, they even let us bring our greyhound along to the showroom!

"We've been really fortunate to have a nice, clean build. We're actually really enjoying the process."

Maximizing natural light: Velux roof windows and carefully positioned wall windows work together to meet Part O regulations while maintaining energy efficiency.

Lessons Learned: Advice for Future Self-Builders

What were the biggest lessons you learned during your self-build project, particularly in relation to window and door selection?

We've been really fortunate to have a nice, clean build. It's a bungalow, we're starting from scratch, and we don't have to rush it. We're actually really enjoying the process. Now that the big-ticket items are finished, we're keen to get personally involved with things like insulating the roof and floor, and doing the underfloor heating ourselves. We have the time, and if we make a mistake, we can correct it.

What challenges have you faced so far during the project? In retrospect, is there anything you would have done differently in the design or selection process for your project?

With the ICF, we haven't had any problems, thankfully. But we did struggle to find a builder willing to work with the project who would do the job within our budget. About six months after an initial quote from a builder, there was already a 10% price increase. We eventually opted for self-managing the build. And then, the Part O complications required new calculations, and we had to change the window designs, add Velux windows, and so on. If I could give any advice, it would be to make sure you use a design professional who is thorough and well-versed in the most up-to-date building regulations to avoid going around in circles. We also had an insurance question raised if the building was going to be entirely clad in wood, so we had to make some minor alterations to the designs.

What advice would you offer to others considering a similar project?

Just do as much research as you possibly can. Read all the books, go to the trade shows. The more you can research, the easier it will be to talk to the professionals in the industry. A little bit of knowledge really does go a long way.

Keep Up with the Old Cow Shed

Follow Susan's regular blog posts - and catch up with the rest of the project so far - on her Build Hub Forum blog.

Transform Your Vision Into Reality

Inspired by David and Susan's journey from cow shed to coastal sanctuary? Your own home transformation begins with windows and doors that refuse to compromise on quality, performance, or design. Whether you're planning a self-build, renovation, or simply upgrading your existing windows, Norrsken's team is ready to help you achieve the perfect balance of thermal efficiency, sustainability, and timeless aesthetics.