An historic Grade II listed farmhouse in the Lake District, dating from the mid-17th century, has undergone an extensive renovation with building products from Ecological Building Systems to create a well-insulated and energy-efficient sustainable home.
Main contractor Nielsens Ltd and architects O’Neil Associates collaborated closely with Ecological Building Systems to identify sustainable materials and methods that would improve comfort and energy use while still protecting the building’s fabric.
Their approach focused on ensuring that the restored structure would be watertight and airtight, yet fully vapour permeable, allowing the solid walls to breathe. The aesthetic qualities of the materials, internally and externally, were also carefully considered to ensure that the completed work blended with the historic features.
A key component of the restoration was the use of Pro Clima Intello Plus, a hygrosafe airtight vapour control membrane. This specialist membrane allows up to 100 times more moisture vapour to pass through when humidity levels rise, for example due to back drying of moisture vapour through the building element in the summer. This helps protect the building fabric from moisture-related damage, while eliminating the risk of condensation and mould within the living spaces.
To complete the airtight layer, Pro Clima Tescon Vana tape was used on membrane overlaps, edges and penetrations. Its solid acrylic adhesive is fully water-resistant and remains stable regardless of temperature or humidity changes, creating a robust and long-lasting seal expected to perform for 100 years.
To enhance thermal performance, Gutex Thermoroom natural wood fibre insulation boards from Ecological Building Systems were selected for the internal wall insulation at the farm house. Manufactured from recycled waste wood chips, this fully breathable insulation board provides excellent thermal improvement, sound insulation and a healthy indoor environment by allowing moisture to pass through the building fabric rather than becoming trapped.
In the cattle shed and barn, Ecological Building Systems’ Diasen Diathonite Thermactive.037, a lime- and cork-based insulating plaster, was applied by Border Lime Construction. Its capillary-active and highly vapour-open nature makes it especially well-suited to older solid-wall buildings. The plaster helps walls regulate moisture and dry naturally, reducing the risk of condensation and mould while providing strong thermal performance.
One of the key successes of this project was involving Ecological Building Systems from the very beginning to model and refine our thermal performance strategy. Their expertise in working with heritage buildings was invaluable in ensuring this older building could be upgraded to modern airtightness standards
Diasen Diathonite Thermactive.037 helps to retain heat, improving year-round comfort. A 50mm application can enhance a wall’s thermal performance by up to four times, and its elasticity, which is around ten times greater than that of conventional plasters, helps to prevent cracking and supports the long-term durability of the restored building.
Neil Turner, UK Technical Manager at Ecological Building Systems, shares: “Diasen Diathonite Thermactive.037 is well suited to major internal renovations of historic buildings and solid wall construction, such as The Farmstead Project. In this case, it was specified as part of a wider retrofit strategy to help manage moisture while improving thermal performance. Working closely with O’Neil Associates allowed the building to be upgraded to modern performance requirements while retaining vapour-open, compatible materials.”
Bob O’Neil, Architect and Owner at O’Neil Associates, explains: “One of the key successes of this project was involving Ecological Building Systems from the very beginning to model and refine our thermal performance strategy. Their expertise in working with heritage buildings was invaluable in ensuring this older building could be upgraded to modern airtightness standards while maintaining appropriate moisture management. It was our first time using Diasen Diathonite Thermactive.037 and having a member of Ecological Building Systems’ technical team on-site ensured we achieved the best possible results.”
Originally built as a two-unit dwelling with an attached cow house, the farmstead has gradually been transformed over the centuries as the needs of the farm evolved. In the 18th century, the property was extended with the addition of the shippon/cattle shed and further enhanced with neoclassical design features.
The 19th century saw the construction of a large threshing barn to the south and the east barn, followed by the addition of steel-clad agricultural sheds during the 20th century. By the time the new owners acquired the 500-acre site, the farmstead had deteriorated to the point where significant conservation work was required to make it habitable again.
The new owners’ vision was to breathe life back into the farm, creating a sustainable and low-carbon farmhouse that supported their wider regenerative farming ambitions. Achieving this meant upgrading the building to modern standards of thermal performance and airtightness without compromising the integrity of its significant historic fabric, a challenge for any conservation-led project.
Since the completion of the works, the farmhouse and its associated buildings, including the converted cattle shed and east barn, now produce just 3.7 tonnes of CO₂ per year. This represents a significant improvement, performing far better than the average UK home, which produces around 6 tonnes.
The restoration project demonstrates how historic buildings can be thoughtfully upgraded to meet today’s sustainability demands without sacrificing the qualities that make them architecturally and culturally important.
Ecological Building Systems has grown significantly over the years, supplying innovative, natural and high-quality building materials, supporting construction professionals and architects in delivering projects that meet sustainability goals.
For more details about this project or products used, visit the website or contact Ecological Building Systems on info@ecologicalbuildingsystems.com.