Built in 1883 under the instruction of David Morgan, famous as the founder of Cardiff’s first department store, Llanbrynean comprises an unmodernised country residence set in some fifty-five acres of gardens and grounds. The buildings, including both the main farm house and the associated barns, are the subject of a Building Preservation Notice and has been Grade II listed during the course of the project development.

An independent school has been visiting the Brecon Beacons for almost 20 years, taking pupils aged between 10 and 16 on outward bound and educational field trips. The proposal to redevelop the existing farmhouse and barns will provide a flexible, yet tailormade facility for the school which will be used all year round and provide a greater range of outward bounds / adventure activities and nature studies.

DSA has taken a carefully considered yet playful design approach for

the phased development that sensitively inserts contemporary interventions within the context of the carefully restored existing buildings. These include sleeping pods, recreation spaces and facilities located within the existing barns, designed to retain the raw agricultural functionality and robustness and deliver an experience of sleeping in a barn. Further phases of development will include new dining facilities and the potential of a multi use space, driven by the concept of the treehouse, generously connected to the surrounding landscape and providing a flexible space for large groups.

Working in close collaboration with the client a phased proposal has been developed, commencing with renovation works to the existing farmhouse.