Barefoot Architects

Barefoot Architects Barefoot Architects is an RIBA Chartered Practice based at the Paintworks in Bristol. We work on hom

Exciting progress on site at our project for 26 new homes in Stockwood for Bristol City Council!Scaffolding has come dow...
13/03/2026

Exciting progress on site at our project for 26 new homes in Stockwood for Bristol City Council!

Scaffolding has come down on some of the blocks, giving us a great view of the textured brickwork facades, and a real sense of how the finished streets will look and feel.

Inside, the first blocks - two-storey cottage flats - have been plastered. It's great to start picturing what these homes will be like to live in: bright, open-plan living spaces with generous windows and doors opening onto private balconies.

Elsewhere, contractors are busy installing plumbing, wiring, ducting and more - including the MVHR system, which will provide ventilation to these well-insulated, airtight homes, and Ground Source Heat Pumps which will supply heating and hot water.

Our cabins come in three modular shapes — each designed to suit different sites, uses and personalities:1. Kuba - clean,...
11/03/2026

Our cabins come in three modular shapes — each designed to suit different sites, uses and personalities:

1. Kuba - clean, simple and efficient
2. Penta - angled walls for extra character and a bigger interior
3. Hexa - bold, spacious and great for standout settings

All three are:
Architect-designed
Modular & adaptable
Built for comfort year-round

So… which one are you choosing?
Kuba, Penta or Hexa?

Tell us in the comments 👇

Match the existing or try something new? This is a timeless question that always comes up when working on listed buildin...
06/03/2026

Match the existing or try something new?

This is a timeless question that always comes up when working on listed buildings, in conservation areas or on historic retrofits. Historic England advises a case-by-case approach with a focus on sustaining significance.

In this particular case, the client is seeking to rebuild their derelict barn to provide upgraded boat storage with an accessible annex for visiting family. The timber frame, metal clad barn is set within the curtilage of a Grade II listed traditional farmhouse.

At Stage 2 Concept Design, we’ve been juggling design considerations like: should we copy the form and materiality to maintain the historic character, or is this an opportunity to upgrade the fabric and orientation to future-proof building? Can we compliment the main house whilst remaining subservient to it? What ecological building materials are contextually appropriate? Is renewable technology appropriate in this instance and, if so, can we provide enough PV to supply the main farmhouse?

05/03/2026

Day 3 of the awards tour has taken us from Bristol and through Gloucestershire exploring all housing great and small - thanks again to and all the designers and building owners involved for allowing us to visit these great projects!

Projects in video order:
Stable House, Gloucestershire, Taw Fitzwilliam
Purdown View, UWE, Bristol (Largest passivhaus project in the UK), Stride Treglown
Cowley Manor, Gloucestershire (Grade 2 listed hotel), De Matos Ryan
Oolite House, Gloucestershire, Studio Bark

04/03/2026

Day two of our Southwest tour🏡

We've seen some extraordinary projects which explore the trajectory of time and place - what a privilege to judge terrific architecture with RIBA South West.

The projects in video order (pause for a better look!):
House in the Southwest, by Witherford Watson Mann
Holly Tree Cottage, by Site Office
Rammed Earth House, by Tuckey Design Studio
Meadow Bank, by MJW architects
The Creameries, by Stonewood Design

03/03/2026

An amazing first day exploring projects across the Southwest and Wessex region. From Cornwall through Devon and Dorset we’ve enjoyed debating and discussing different design approaches and project types... bring on day 2!
threadstudio




Where do our ideas come from?Designing a new house is an exciting journey – from discovering the perfect plot to finding...
27/02/2026

Where do our ideas come from?

Designing a new house is an exciting journey – from discovering the perfect plot to finding the right story for your home. The art of architecture might seem mysterious, and so here we wanted to share the initial thinking behind a recent new commission!

Drawing inspiration from the stunning landscape setting in Gloucestershire we explored how a house could be a microcosm of its place – combining the use of earth and timber in a form which reflected the rolling hills it overlooks.

Like a folded leaf we found on site, the form takes its cues from nature to form a sculptural expression relating to the clients passion for building with wood and using truly local materials. Like all good concepts we look forward to developing this one and seeing how it evolves through the design process.

Recently in the office we’ve been thinking a lot about the barriers to developing more cohousing in the UK, and while th...
24/02/2026

Recently in the office we’ve been thinking a lot about the barriers to developing more cohousing in the UK, and while there are many (funding, availability of land, planning), we think one of the most significant barriers is cultural. While at Barefoot we think that cohousing means community, connection and shared spaces, many people we speak to fear that it means a lack of privacy and freedom. Check out our latest blog piece to read more on the topic: https://www.barefootarchitects.co.uk/barefootblog/what-highsett-can-teach-us

20/02/2026

Rob has been diving into our new Barefoot Cabins offer and is really excited to share some layouts options. There are two models (with a third in development) and each comes in S, M, L size variations. They use a modular panel design so can be made to any length and are infinitely customisable... but we're going to make some 'off-the-shelf' options. How many is too many?!

3 models, 3 sizes, 3 lengths, 3 layouts, 3 finishes = 243 options to start from!

It'd be great to hear from anyone with their take on this or comments on the layouts (tap and hold the screen to pause) - What would you most like from a cabin/garden studio?

13/02/2026

When a concept becomes a reality...

Phase 1 of this kitchen extension project in Bristol is now complete! The scheme features timber-frame walls with wood-wool insulation, exposed LVL rafters, and vaulted ceilings lined in poplar plywood. An asymmetric zinc roof, generous rooflights, and large folding doors allow plenty of natural light inside while creating a strong connection to the south-facing garden.

We’re looking forward to seeing Phase 2 progress in the next few months🛠️

We're delighted to have won a Salisbury Civic Society award for our Court House project in Bulford🙌The house is formed a...
10/02/2026

We're delighted to have won a Salisbury Civic Society award for our Court House project in Bulford🙌

The house is formed as two linked buildings forming an L-shape around a south-facing courtyard garden defined approximately by the former tennis courts once on the site.

A single-storey linear ‘barn’ addresses the lane, and provides privacy to the courtyard garden and the main two-storey ‘farmhouse’ house volume beyond.

Simple, pitched roof forms are proposed, which echo the traditional forms of surrounding domestic and agricultural buildings, but are highly contemporary in their design and provide generous vaulted spaces internally. A contemporary zinc canopy at ground floor level provides solar shading and shelter to the south elevation.

We developed the project with thermal modelling in Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) and designed a high performance, robust building fabric with very low operational energy.

House📸: Rebecca Noakes
Awards📸: Adrian Harris

Address

Bristol
BS43EH

Telephone

+441179070971

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