Bodmin, Cornwall
ARCO2 HOUSE
When ARCO2 began their journey of expanding their successful business it was important that their own office building promoted what they do.
A STUDIO REBORN
ARCO2 House sits on the edge of Bodmin in Cornwall.
It began life as a Forestry Commission barn built in the 1950s. Over the years it was used as a workshop, carpet shop, and horticultural store. By the time we found it, the roof leaked, the windows were broken and the building was close to falling apart.
Most people saw a wreck. We saw potential.
At the time, we were running ARCO2 from a tight loft office. There was not enough space for staff or clients and equipment was stacked around us. We needed somewhere to grow and a place that showed what we believed in. In 2004, we bought the barn and set out to rebuild it by hand, with help from our families and friends. We wanted to create a healthy, low-impact studio using local materials and practical, affordable design.
As experienced Architects Cornwall, we work on heritage, waterfront and adaptive reuse projects across Cornwall, combining sensitive restoration with contemporary architectural design.
Awards and recognition
BUILDING WITH PURPOSE -TURNING AN OLD BARN INTO A WORKING STUDIO
Turning the old barn into a studio was not easy. The structure was in poor shape, and most of it had to be rebuilt from the frame up. The roof was worn through, the cladding had failed, and years of neglect had left it open to the weather. We decided to take it on ourselves. Together with friends and family, we worked weekends and evenings to strip, repair, and rebuild the structure. Every piece of timber was checked, saved, or replaced where needed.
Keeping costs low was just as important as keeping the work sustainable. We reused materials wherever possible and sourced others locally. The build became a live experiment in what we believed: that sustainable design can be practical, affordable, and hands-on. It was hard work, but it brought us together. The project proved that a small group of people with shared values could turn an abandoned building into something full of life and purpose.
DESIGNING FROM EXPERIENCE
A WORKPLACE THAT SHOWS WHAT WE STAND FOR
The design grew directly from how we wanted to work each day. We measured every piece of equipment, thought about how we used space, and planned for future growth. The new studio needed to be open, flexible, and bright. A place that could change with the practice. The double-height workshop became the main design studio, filled with natural light and open space for collaboration. The mezzanine level was turned into a meeting room, reprographics area, and reception, giving us what we had never had before: room to think and work properly.
Each detail was designed to show our values. The building reused its original timber frame, added new insulation for warmth, and used simple materials with a low environmental impact. Every choice reflected our belief in sustainable, hands-on design. It wasn’t just an office. It was a clear example of what we tell every client. That good design starts with care, practicality, and respect for what already exists.
A PLACE THAT REFLECTS ITS MAKERS
BUILT TO INSPIRE
When the work was finished, ARCO2 House became more than just an office. It was a sign of what could be done with imagination, persistence, and teamwork.
Today, the studio feels exactly as it should. Light fills the double-height space where ideas are shared and projects take shape. Every part of the building reflects our values: simplicity, care for the environment, and pride in doing things properly. It gives us space to welcome clients, hold meetings, and grow the practice. It stands as a working example of our approach, showing that sustainability and good design can work naturally together.
What began as a tired barn is now a place full of energy and purpose. A home for new ideas, made by the people who believe in them.
DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS
RESTORATION AND CONVERSION
ARCO2 House was rebuilt by hand. Every part of it was touched by the people who run the practice. The directors, along with their families and friends, spent evenings and weekends bringing the building back to life.
The original character was kept wherever possible, with new elements carefully added to support how the team works today. It became a personal project that showed what can happen when design and effort come together.
EXAMPLER OFFICE BUILDING
The new studio was designed to show that sustainability can be simple, affordable, and built into any structure. The open plan layout creates a light, flexible space for design and collaboration, while the mezzanine holds a meeting room and reception. It also includes a self-contained office area for future use, proving that thoughtful design can make even small buildings work harder.
SUSTAINABLE FEATURES
Every part of the building demonstrates low-energy, low-impact design. The walls are fully insulated with sheep wool, the floor uses straw bales for warmth, and solar collectors provide hot water and solar panels provides electricity. Locally grown timber cladding protects the building and gives it a natural finish that fits its rural setting.
ARCO2 House stands as a working model of what the practice believes in: practical, sustainable design good for the people and planet.
