The Grain Store - designed with accessibility in mind
In this blog post, we would like to share with you an aspect of the design of The Grain Store, by creator and collaborator Anni Townend.
The Grain Store was designed and built with inclusivity and accessibility in mind following our three key design principles: functional, simple and beautiful
View of the South Downs from The Grain Store
View from the garden of The Grain Store
Built in the 1960's as an agricultural grain store, its purpose then was to house the grain harvested from the fields which The Grain Store overlooks and beyond to the rolling South Downs Way. As agricultural machinery got larger and larger the original grain store became a redundant farm building.
Once functional and simple, it sat empty for many years, used occasionally by friends for storing something, often whilst they themselves were in transit, so a safe place to store their things until they were ready for them. Much like the storage of the grain before, a safe storage place to gather the grain before it was transported to its next place.
When we got our planning permission to convert the redundant farm building, the brief was to convert the existing structure into something similar but better, in other words functional, simple and beautiful.
For this reason we chose the cedar cladding which has since weathered to grey, recreating in a softer focus, the grey of the concrete breeze blocks.
The roof is slated grey, replacing what was a pale grey asbestos roof. Large doors open out onto the flourishing garden on the outside, whilst on the inside the original concrete floor was dug up and a new concrete floor with underfloor heating was laid.
Slate Roof tiles being installed at The Grain Store
The air source pump and solar panels provide much of the energy for The Grain Store.
Accessibility is about people who may use a wheelchair or need help with their mobility, being able to enjoy the space, feeling safe in it, and knowing that the design and the build provide a number of features which make moving around inside comfortable and easier.
We welcome everyone and want you to know that The Grain Store is a truly inclusive place and an accessible holiday home to stay in.
To find out more, please do explore this website for various features that make staying at The Grain Store a comfortable experience.
Click here for our latest prices and availability including some last-minute dates - stay@thegrainstorelewes.com
Article by Pip de Villiers