Argal Workshop & Studios
Woldon were approached by the emerging furniture and product designer practice James Smith Designs to transform Argal Home Farm, a Cornish former farmstead, into a vibrant and inspirational place to live and work.
Proposals were twofold: the conversion of a traditional barn into studios for local creative enterprises and artist residencies, and the creation of a new and highly specified timber workshop facility for the client’s business. A spirit of authenticity and simplicity was pursued in the reimagining of the farm, such that the evolving needs of the client and the new Argal community could be accommodated over time.
Where possible, existing structures and fabric have been retained. A redundant granite barn was taken as the starting point for the studios, with the workshop replacing an adjacent derelict stables. The principles of the Passive House standard were followed, providing the workshop with exceptionally low embodied and operational carbon energy usage usage.
The completed buildings provide 300sqm of workspace, which is fully occupied. Tenants include a coffee roaster, bespoke rucksack maker, sign-writer and a yoga studio.
As the assembly of buildings at Argal is given new life, the landscape that supports them is also being restored to pasture and garden. Argal is now a rich and diverse place, humming with natural life and energy.
Project Information
Client: James Smith Designs
Construction Value: £900,000
Location: Cornwall
New Enquiries
t: 020 7998 1525
e: studio@woldon.com
Woldon's approach is thorough and innovative. They have tackled our project, which presents a diverse range of challenges and demands, with a fantastic level of creativity and skill. A key strength of Woldon for us has been to realise our aspirations for a highly sustainable result that is comfortably married with a refined and sensitive contemporary aesthetic
