Stanton Andrews’ brief from this client, who was relocating from a central Manchester apartment, was to combine the best of modern design into the characterful setting and location of their country home in White Coppice. This was a challenge as their home was a poorly designed 10 year old barn conversion. Our proposals began by relocating the front door and visitor parking area to the north east façade of the building which enabled us to reposition the door and combine the interior room spaces to create a great south facing kitchen and dining room area. As part of the solution we then ‘fixed’ the shallow roof and lifted it to create 'a floating roof'. To further open the interior space, the two existing separate staircases were relocated and replaced, creating an open space that encompasses the full height of the building. This property is located within a conservation area and the success of the design of this project is in part due to the close collaboration between Stanton Andrews and the local conservation officer.