This project reflects Perioli Man Architects’ ongoing philosophy of contemporary yet sympathetic design solutions within historic buildings. College Farm House is believed to date from the 12th Century although the main house was built in the early 18th Century. The building is comprised of the main house, the old dairy and ancillary buildings constructed at different periods and there is evidence of various alterations over the years. There is speculation that the Dairy was originally used as a chapel although no specific evidence of this was found during construction. However, a stone fire surround was uncovered at high level that with the high level window clearly indicated that there had at some stage been an upper floor of a comparable level to the new mezzanine. The fire surround has been left untouched with the plaster line cut back to reveal it. The dairy includes two main spaces with three smaller areas to the east. The main space was full height lending itself to the introduction of the new mezzanine level so designed to accommodate the existing high level window – revealed externally by altering the slate entrance canopy creating an inverted dormer – all allowing the soft light to reach the lower dining area (see photo). To achieve this space it was essential that the three existing roof trusses were dismantled leaving the principle rafters only to take the purlins and a new cranked steel ridge beam was introduced. From the mezzanine level the new study/ bedroom within an old loft space is reached and the new bespoke oak stair connects these spaces with the enlarged office space on the upper ground floor and the lower dining area. Work to the lower areas of walls and the ground floor throughout the dairy remedied the extensive damp problem with the use of a sympathetic damp proofing treatment finished with lime plaster. The arrangement of stone slabs making up the main floor was recorded and re-laid exactly as before over a new floor build-up. To decrease the environmental impact of the building the opportunity was taken to lay a new underfloor heating system utilising a ground heat source located within the paddock area of the property. These alterations not only help to secure the long term survival and upkeep of the building but also have resulted in an increased enjoyment of it through the use of the spaces provided.