Challenge

Barn conversions are one of the most coveted homes in Britain, and have become a popular feature on the property rental site, Airbnb.

Looking to attract tourists to their working farmhouse in picturesque Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire, the owners contacted ACO to implement an effective water management solution for the site. One of the key components they had to consider was the appropriate management of surface water run-off in the courtyard and driveway areas. They called on the expertise of ACO Water Management to meet the project requirements.

Solution

ACO assessed the area and recommended a solution that incorporated a channel drainage, and attenuation and infiltration system. ACO CivicDrain was installed at the base of a 105m2 driveway, which leads down a steep incline to the parking area of the house. The drainage channel was particularly suitable for this project due to its exceptional hydraulic capacity, effectively dealing with surface water run-off from the gradient at the base of a driveway.

In addition, ACO CivicDrain is a C 250 system suitable for light- to medium-duty traffic applications, another important factor for the barn as 4x4 vehicles are regularly used in and around the farm. As well as being installed at the bottom of the driveway, it was also fitted along the left of the driveway where the apartments can be accessed via a pathway to the courtyard area.

To avoid the issue of water pooling in the courtyard area, ACO StormBrixx – which can be used as a domestic soakaway system – was installed and connected to the downpipes off the 112m2 roof. StormBrixx is a sustainable drainage solution (SuDS) and would be used to collect the roof water, hold it and slowly release it into the natural water cycle, rather than being sent into an underground sewage system.