Conversion
Conversion of buildings, or spaces within buildings, that were not designed for living in, as their original designated use, is a concept that not to long ago was a uniquely British thing. Over the past years this has changed. Originally seen as a result of the mechanisation of the agriculture industries; which meant that fewer people were needed to work the land, coupled to the fact that bigger and better storage structures were 
being built. Buildings fell into disrepair. Hay barns, pig sties, stables, wind, and water, mills and storage sheds all became redundant in their original role.
The idea that the spaces within these structures could be converted to living accommodation grew. Generally, solidly built they offered a genuine “blank canvas” open-plan interior. Which in many cases was considerably larger than a house. Married to an exterior that had “character” and a certain, unique original style.
Anyone planning a conversion needs to be aware there are some considerations that do not arise with a house based project.
Space
The biggest advantage of a conversion i.e. the available space, is also its greatest challenge; knowing how to make best use of it!
Often an unconverted hay barn will have 5 to 6 metres of head-room, and a floor area of anything between 120-250 square metres, sometimes more. That is a lot of volume!
Generally, the way these spaces are utilised fall into two patterns of planning and design.
The first approach aims to build a conventional house within the barn shell; walls dividing areas and rooms that are laid out in a traditional style. The second aims to keep the barn as an open plan space, ‘as a barn’. In practice you inevitably move towards one or the other of the two possibilities. You will need to know at the outset what you are intending and what you are trying to achieve. But, more importantly what you will feel more comfortable with.
A house within a barn
The height of a hay barn means that it is usual to add an upstairs floor within a barn conversion. A barn of 150 square metres will now have a floor space of almost 300 square metres, which is plenty big enough for most of us. The upstairs rooms can have interesting ceilings and make use of the roof structure woodwork.
The “open-plan barn” barn conversion
Self descriptive really. Through lounges connect to dining areas and then onto kitchens. Mezzanine hallways and stairwells to galleried landings are all features that are possible.
Some private areas, for modesty’s sake, need to be included and bedrooms, loos and bathrooms are, usually, traditionally laid out.
There is inevitably a bit of the two approaches in any conversion, a middle path that attempts to combine the best of both options.
In France the situation is now the same as in UK at the start of this trend. The supply of these types of buildings is vast. (where I am sitting now I can almost guarantee that within a 20km radius there are as many as 100 available)
Of various shapes, styles layouts and prices, they provide an opportunity for anybody considering this option to further their ideas into a reality that, although not cheap, can be very rewarding.