i-build March 2015

March Issue 8

i-build www.i-buildmagazine.com

i-build i-nterior i-scape

COLOUR PALETTE GUIDANCE

How to fill your home in shades that suit your style

URBAN RENOVATION

Victorian London terrace undergoes dramatic transformation

CONSTRUCTION OPTIONS

Weighing up the pros and cons of modern vs traditional

EXPERT INSIGHTS:

l FINANCIAL l LEGAL l PRACTICAL l PRODUCT INNOVATION

Download the i-build app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search 'i-build'.

Cover story: A three-year renovation project has transformed a new build property into an open-plan home that makes the most of its riverside views. See page 28.

i-build www.i-buildmagazine.com

i-build i-nterior i-scape Editor:

Emily Smith

emily@mixedmediainfo.com Print & Digital Advertising:

Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Steve Gull

steve@mixedmediainfo.com

Martin Hughes

martin@mixedmediainfo.com Studio Manager:

Chris Lilly

chris@mixedmediainfo.com Senior Editor:

Hannah Frackiewicz

hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Production:

Jack Witcomb

jack@mixedmediainfo.com Artworker/Sub-editor:

David Perry

david@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts:

Simone Jones

simone@mixedmediainfo.com Managing Director:

Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Welcome to the March issue of i-build

P

eople become self-builders and renovators for all kinds of reasons – be it a life-long dream, or inability to find a home on the market that suits their criteria.

Everyone moves into a new home with the view to make it their own, but some are more ambitious than others.

This month’s Urban Sanctuary demonstrates extraordinary vision in creating an openplan house flooded with natural sunlight, regardless of its inner-city location. The owners, Jack and Georgia Giles, were inspired by a renovation that their neighbours had completed and decided to employ the same architects to transform their London terrace. Read about this impressive project on page 20.

Another renovation that has been modified to make the most of its space is the Purley on Thames property presented on page 28. The Browns took this project at their own pace, recognising this as an opportunity to create a home tailored specifically to them.

The couple lived in the home over the three years that it took to renovate and are thrilled with the end result.

As always, this issue is packed full of guidance to help you make the right choices amidst a journey full of difficult, and sometimes daunting, decisions, be it kitchen, furniture or complementing tones. If you are unsure about approaching your interior’s colour scheme then interior designer Nicky Mudie is here to help with guidance on how to decorate your home in shades that suit your style in this month’s i-nterior. Perhaps your self-build concern is deciding between using traditional and modern construction methods – on page 42 timber frame specialist Simon Orrells presents the advantages of modern systems.

We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. If you are coming to the end of your self-build journey and would like to offer your home as inspiration to other budding self-builders within an i-build feature, please contact me on the usual address with a brief overview of your project.

Emily Smith Editor emily@mixedmediainfo.com @ibuildmagazine

/ibuildmagazine

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Editor’s picks Pear Platt, Woodfalls Farm, Gravelly Way Laddingford, Kent, ME18 6DA T: 01622 873229 F: 01622 320020

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Stylish flooring by Karndean: See page 46

Wet rooms by On The Level: See page 58

Wood preservation by Osmo: See page 58

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Contents

The latest innovative on-trend designs to complement any interior.

Will Tell 12 Time Each issue i-build follows Will Anderson on

i-build

his self-build journey as it unfolds.

www.i-buildmagazine.com

i-build i-nterior i-scape

Desired Designs

Contents

7

42

14

Green Living

16

Viewpoint

18

Contracts & Legalities

20

Urban Sanctuary

28

Impressive Innovation

36

Kitchen

38

Heating

How to save money and time in your PV installation and application.

Buildstore’s Pachel Pyne addresses financing options for renovations and conversions.

Don’t let your project be held up by the unruly plant Japanese knotweed.

Inspired by their neighbour's renovation project, an East London couple fully refurbish their new home.

A complete renovation has transformed a four bedroom home with stunning views overlooking the River Thames.

Handy guide to ensure you choose the right worktop for your kitchen.

Dimplex’s Karen Trewick looks at the heating options available to self-builders.

40 Foundations The type of building foundation suitable for your project depends on a number of factors.

48

42 i-build Timber frame systems are an efficient and costeffective construction method.

20 42

48 i-nterior Interior designer Nicky Mudie presents how to decorate your home in shades that suit your style.

54 i-scape Building a garden room is a popular way of extending your home.

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Rejuvenate your home with organic tones from warm olives and basils to chalky pistachios and zesty limes.

Desired Designs

Green with envy 2

3 4

5

6

7

J

ust as nature reveals a new palette for spring, revive your home with fresh green tones.

Known for being both calming and stimulating, green hues work well for any room in the home thanks to the tone’s natural variation and diversity.

The above scene from Habitat creates a fresh look by combining botanical greens with white and pale wood. For a more toned down look, use mints and pistachios alongside other pale, natural hues.

A great deal of research has gone into understanding why certain colours make us feel certain ways. Findings suggest that bringing elements of the outside in through natureinspired decor – whether it is through colour, light, pattern or the use of natural materials – can help promote feelings of balance and harmony.

1. Strial Globe, £390, Curiousa & Curiousa

2. Usagi Large Vase, £30, Habitat

3. Drag DR 1252 & Tessella BP

3603, prices vary, Farrow & Ball

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4. Leon Swivel Loveseat in

Basil Green, £599, Made.com

5. KitchenAid Artisan Mixer in Pistachio, £379, John Lewis

6. Jonah Sofa in Fennel Green, £649, Made.com

7. Liberty Willow, £39, Colour and Paint

8. Kilo Metal Side Table, £25, Habitat

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Desired Designs

Soak up the style 1

Rejuvenate and relax in your own personal bathroom sanctuary by incorporating a luxury bathtub

Innovative luxury The peaceful experience of kicking-back in a hammock has been further enhanced by combining it with the immersive comfort of soaking in a hot bath. Splinterworks’ stunning design oozes luxury by literally elevating the experience of bathing into a suspended sculpture. (www.splinterworks.co.uk)

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Pioneering design Kaldewei’s Sound Wave acoustic bath includes a built in audio system. The individual components, including Bluetooth receiver, are concealed under the bath in order to play back wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled device. (www.kaldewei.co.uk)

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Focal point Use the bathtub as a design statement and focal point. We like the symmetry of the Kubix freestanding bath which measures 170 x 80cm and is priced at £1495. (www.frontlinebathrooms.co.uk)

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Traditional accents We love the quaint tones of this pale pink bath by Mylands. Painted in Rose Blush 1884 and set atop elegant claw feet this beautiful bath sets the standard for classic double ended roll top baths and adds instant sophistication. (www.mylands.co.uk)

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Colourful statement Personalise your bathroom with a strikingly colourful bathtub. To the right is BC Designs Acrylic Boat Bath. Starting at £1433, the multi-coloured bath is available in various finishes. Below, Teuco’s Accademia combines minimalism with neo-classical design to create a bath that is strikingly simple, yet luxurious. (www.bcdesigns.co.uk / www.teuco.com)

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Spa-like experience Bring ultimate luxury to your bathroom by including a foot bath.

This design by Dornbracht has four jets that massage in two settings to either revitalize or relax tired feet. (www.dornbracht.com)

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SBP ARY

LIBR

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PROJECTS | PRODUCTS | INSPIRATION | INFORMATION The smarter way to plan, design, and decorate self-build homes. With its easy-to-navigate format, users can benefit from a variety of useful tools, such as the magazine’s latest issue, digital archive, suppliers and newsbank. The App is also synced with SBP Library (sustainablebuildingproducts.com) providing an essential specification portal.

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Desired Designs

Industrial revolution

1

Keep your prized possessions on display for guests to admire with on-trend open storage units.

2

3

4

5 Bespoke Wardrobe System, various prices, Inspirit Deco

6

O

pen storage not only makes everything easier to grab, but is also a great way to display your style preferences. Incorporate designs that have an industrial edge for that raw, unfinished look that’s very en vogue. Although this trend has become popular within urban projects, these designs are not limited to city life and their unrefined appeal works well within many interior schemes. Complement this style with stainless steel surfaces, metal light fixtures and reclaimed furniture.

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1. PS 2014 Wall shelf with 11 knobs in birch, £45, Ikea

2. Clerkenwell walnut

sideboard & wall storage, £595 & £350, Habitat

3. Asha Tall Bookcase, £399, John Lewis

4. PS 2014 Wardrobe, £100, Ikea

5. Copper Kitchen Storage Rack, £40, The Contemporary Home

6. Iron and Wood Bench Rack, £695, Alexander & Pearl

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11

Sub-brow TimeEyebrow Will Tell

Left: Heat recovery cowls breathe fresh air into the home without losing heat Below: A pressure test highlighted a structural error that was weakening the property's airtightness

The pressure is on Every month i-build follows Will Anderson as his self-build adventure unfolds. This issue the draughts are driven out of his low energy home.

B

uilders in Britain never used to care much about airtightness. In fact, until fairly recently, a degree of draughtiness was expected of houses in order to maintain their indoor air quality. The modern push to seal up all the cracks and holes in the building fabric in order to keep the heat in is not without its problems in this respect. ‘Build tight, ventilate right’ is the slogan of low energy building but, in practice, this goal can be difficult to achieve.

I’m building a seriously low energy building so – as well as wrapping the entire building in a 300mm layer of insulation – I have had to pay careful attention to airtightness. The Orchard is designed to be an exceptionally airtight building with fresh air provided by innovative heatrecovery cowls supplied by Ventive.

An early decision was to hire Touchwood Homes to supply the timber frame as they have a track record of achieving very high levels of airtightness.

This is principally due to how they sheathe the frame once it is up. Rather than just butting sheathing boards up against one another and then covering the wall in a membrane, they use special tongue and groove boards that are locked together with a butyl mastic. This means that the sheathing itself becomes the airtight layer.

High quality windows and doors are also essential, so I opted for triple-glazed Ecocontract windows from the Green Building Store, a

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company that has long promoted airtight products. We also had to pay careful attention to how we wrapped and jointed our damp-proof membrane on the ground floor, as this doubles up as our airtight layer. Every detail matters: if you want an airtight building, don’t leave it to the end and hope to bodge it with a load of sticky tape.

Despite all our efforts to make the building airtight, I knew that hidden problems were likely to remain. So last week we had the house pressuretested to identify all our errors and omissions before it was too late to do anything about them.

The pressure test was conducted by Paul Jennings of Aldas Ltd, who knows more about airtightness in British buildings than anyone else in the business. The test involved shutting all the doors and windows, sealing up any openings such as waste pipes – which will eventually be blocked by the traps in our sinks and toilets – and installing a fan in the back door, with a seal all around it. The fan was then turned on and the air sucked out of the house. This depressurisation drew outside air into the building through all the cracks and holes that shouldn’t have been there. It was then easy to spot high pressure draughts either by hand or with a special thermographic meter.

Sure enough, there was one major cold spot through which air was gushing into the building: a junction where the sheathing board had not been properly attached and sealed to the timber frame.

Happily, this was easy to fix. Having done some repairs, Paul conducted the official test – assisted by his brother Duncan – and found that we were losing air through the building at a rate of one complete air change every hour at fan pressure.

This is a very good result – ten times better than Building Regulations – but not quite as good as the Passivhaus standard of 0.5 air changes per hour that we were hoping for. The airtightness of the building will, however, improve once we have boarded up, insulated and plastered the walls.

Right now, I’m just happy to have snuffed out the significant draughts before they disappeared from view.

www.buildingtheorchard.com

Green Living

Improving PV installation efficiency

Fitting a PV system can become both complicated and costly

David Jackson, Director and General Manager of one of Europe’s leading distributors of stainless steel and brass fasteners, STF – Stainless Threaded Fasteners – talks saving time and money in a buoyant photovoltaic market.

L

ast year it was announced that solar photovoltaic capacity deployed in the UK had already exceeded the original forecast of 2.875GW, with it set to overtake Germany for the first time ever and claiming the number one spot in the European PV market.

Despite the recent uncertainty over energy efficiency schemes, there is no doubt that there is clearly a demand for energy efficiency measures and people are becoming more aware of the significant financial savings and reduction of carbon emissions that their properties can achieve. Subsequently, the PV market is growing as energy prices and awareness of environmental responsibilities continue to rise.

With this in mind, home-builders need to be up-to-speed on recognising a top-quality PV system, but also need to understand how to make the installation process as efficient as possible.

Imported roof hooks tend to be designed for European roofs, meaning that precious time is often spent modifying tiles or slate to get hooks

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to fit. Using UK designed and manufactured products not only reduce transport emissions, but also promote local employment.

Many sustainable PV projects are faced with a stringent set of standards for the installation process and the roof construction can often provide several challenges in terms of structural and wind loading. On top of this, it may require third party approval of any component used in the installation which means that manufacturers’ claims and product specifications could be taken at face value.

Since our beginnings in 1986, we have found that the construction industry has generally seen a full-circle shift back to quality branded fasteners and fixing products. When asking our customers why they think this is, feedback tends to focus on the continuity and power of a brand, with builders and installers giving more thought to what is in their toolkit than before. Furthermore, solar panel installations are becoming more frequent in residential areas as more people start to see a return on investment. However, this is still a

significant home improvement expense and therefore installers need to ensure they are buying the most robust solution for their new asset.

Many PV installers are solving PV installation issues by using new solar mounting systems.

Created by installers for installers, this product has been designed in the UK to fit UK roofs, providing a time and cost-effective alternative to standard European systems.

REDtip Roof Hooks offer four stainless steel variations, which are of the roofhook, which are compatible with 90% of UK roof tiles.

This type of system uses innovative roofhooks that fit the dimensions of UK interlocking roof tiles, reducing the need for on-roof adaptations such as grinding or costly soakers and flashings.

This aids faster, easier installation; saving time and therefore money. It also means a more secure and weatherproof finish.

Like many others, the construction sector has met various challenges over recent years.

However, there has been a noticeable monthon-month upward trend within the industry that proves things are looking up. At STF, we anticipate a continuation of improvement, fuelled by growing output in the construction sector, and energy efficiency in particular.

www.stf-fasteners.com

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H558 11/14

Viewpoint

Finding the funds Last month Rachel Pyne – Group Sales Director at BuildStore Ltd – gave a useful insight into self-build finance. Here, she addresses finance specifically for renovation and conversion projects.

B

uying a run-down property that needs significant renovation or converting an old building such as a barn can be the ideal way to get the house you want at a price you can afford. However, with any project the key to success is organising your finances at the outset to ensure that you have the money you need as the project progresses.

If you are borrowing money for the project then there are a number of different products available to you and the suitability of each will depend on the type of project and your personal circumstances.

If you don’t want to sell your existing property until the end of the renovation, you could consider releasing the equity from it to fund the property

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purchase and construction work, through a further advance with your existing lender, or by re-mortgaging to a new lender. However, not all lenders will lend for this type of renovation project, and most will not lend beyond 75% of your current property’s total value.

Some lenders may consider offering a ‘bridging’ loan which provides short-term lending,, normally secured by way of a legal charge over your current or new property – or both – ahead of the sale of the former. Whilst this might provide the funding you need, make sure you understand all the terms of the loan thoroughly. Especially in the current market, These loans are not commonplace in the current market and are usually offered with ‘ad hoc’ arrangements, meaning interest rates and

fees can be relatively punitive – in some cases, more than double the price of normal mortgage borrowing.

If you have your eye on an uninhabitable property, you may need to fund a large amount of work and the purchase yourself.

Some mortgage lenders will refuse to lend on properties that are uninhabitable while others will lend based on the current value of the house, but then nothing further until the project is complete and the property can be re-valued.

This is known as applying a retention to the borrowing and will only be suitable if you have access to sufficient cash to pay for all of the building work.

Specialist schemes Another option is to get a mortgage from a lender who provides stage release mortgages for renovations, which are secured against the new property. This type of lending breaks the project down into identifiable stages – usually

Viewpoint Left: Organising funding is one of the first hurdles of a renovation project Above: Some lenders release funds before a project, others during Below: Giving a run-down property a new lease of life is a great way to afford your ideal home

six – and releases funds throughout the project according to these. The benefit of this is that it funds the purchase of the property before the renovation has begun.

Naturally, stages are tailored according to individual projects, but as an example, you can expect stage-released funds in renovation and conversion projects as follows: 1. Purchase of the property 2. Prelimary costs and structural overhaul 3. Wind and watertight 4. Plastering and services 5. Second Fix 6. To completion Funds from a stage payment mortgage can be paid out in two ways – either at the end of each build stage, known as ‘arrears’, or at the beginning of each stage, known as ‘advance’.

With the ‘arrears’ method, once the initial advance is made to purchase the property – typically up to 75% of final loan to value – funds are released in arrears during the project,

meaning you need to fund the works for each stage before the lender releases more funds. No funds will be released until you have completed the first stage of works – which includes the structural overhaul and your initial costs and fees. It’s worth highlighting that lenders typically calculate these stage releases based on interim valuations of the property during the work, releasing funds typically in four stages against increasing property value, rather than against the actual costs you incur.

However, not everyone who wants to renovate or convert has access to sufficient cash to pay for building works upfront. In recognition of this, lenders that target homebuilders have created alternative schemes. For

example, BuildStore's Accelerator 'advancestage' mortgage scheme releases funds for each stage in advance, providing the cash needed to buy materials and pay builders. It also lends a generous percentage of the costs – up to 85% of the cost of the property and up to 85% of the cost of the build.

This type of funding works well for many situations. For example, if you only have a small amount of cash available and don’t want to sell your existing house to release equity before your new home is complete or if you want to keep the cash you have available until later in the project to maintain a good contingency fund.

With stamp duty only paid on the purchase price of the property and not the completed value, it can prove financial sense to take on a renovation project. However, with so many finance options available, it’s important to speak to an expert to discuss your plans as early as possible.

www.buildstore.co.uk

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Contracts & Legalities

Japanese knotweed can cause substantial structural damage

Untangling the problem of Japanese knotweed Although a bright and attractive plant, Japanese knotweed is well known for wreaking havoc on building sites, often causing structural damage and costly eradication fees, as well as jeopardising your mortgage eligibility.

J

apanese knotweed is increasingly hitting the headlines, particularly around the new ASBO legislation and the difficulty of raising mortgage finance on property or land that has knotweed present on or near it. Lenders will only be satisfied if it is professionally eradicated and if the work is covered with an appropriate insurance backed guarantee. Anyone that has come up against this plant will understand why this is required.

While Japanese knotweed poses no threat to human health, its impact on building and development can be considerable. In its insatiable quest for water and light, it will exploit weaknesses in structures including expansion joints in concrete, broken mortar between bricks or paving slabs and weaknesses in asphalt. It can force the layers of cavity walls apart as well as damage drains and sewers.

If you are embarking on a self-build, make sure you familiarise yourself fully on this invasive and pernicious plant.

Your obligations?

In Part C of the Building Regulations – Site Preparation – it states clearly that a site should be adequately prepared to minimise the hazard of damage to the building from existing vegetation, contaminated soil or pre-

18

existing foundations. Under the 2010 updates to the Regulations, site investigation is now recommended in order to determine how much unsuitable material should be removed before building begins. Where Japanese knotweed is concerned, this means determining the extent of the problem and that’s a job for a specialist.

Legal implications It is not illegal to have the plant growing on your land, but The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 make it an offence to let knotweed spread off site.

Any soils containing Japanese knotweed must be taken to a registered landfill site authorised to accept Japanese knotweed. Be aware that it is the responsibility of the person consigning the waste to accurately classify it. This means clearly stating it contains Japanese knotweed and ensuring it is taken by a waste carrier registered by the Environment Agency. Waste transfer notes should be obtained to provide an audit trail between consignor, waste carrier and landfill site.

Encroachment If the plant is encroaching on to your land, you do have some redress in law under civil nuisance. To bring a successful claim you would need to demonstrate that the knotweed

originated from the adjoining land and that it is causing you nuisance. It’s not always easy to prove the knotweed origin, but an expert will be able to help. If all else fails, the Home Office issued guidance last October in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 in relation to Japanese knotweed. Failure to comply with the Community Protection Notice could result in a criminal offence and large fines.

Japanese knotweed is not something to be ignored. Early detection, specialist advice and an insurance-backed guarantee on the treatment plan will enable your building project to go ahead.

www.environetuk.com It is a criminal offence to allow Japanese knotweed to spread off your property

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Urban Sanctuary 20

Hackney haven Inspired by a renovation project that their previous neighbours had completed, Jack and Georgia Giles decided to fully refurbish their newly purchased East London Victorian terrace.

Urban Sanctuary

J

ack and Georgia were so impressed with the work that Scenario Architecture had done for their neighbours that they decided to use the same architecture studio for the renovation of their new home in East London’s popular Borough of Hackney.

The Giles’ new house stood unchanged for over 30 years and was in need of a substantial overhaul. The couple’s vision was to draw greater connection between the house and the kitchen extension that sat one metre below the rest of the ground floor. Within this reorganisation of the internal layout, they also wanted to achieve a better relationship between the ground floor and the garden, as well as create more space for future visitors.

Inner-city limitations Scenario Architecture took on the design and oversaw all project management. This project held several challenges for the studio: to create a habitable space in the loft without including a dormer and to incorporate a fireplace that doesn't use coal or logs due to the property's position within a smoke control area.

The studio’s Director, Ran Ankory explains how these obstacles were overcome: "The attic space has been transformed into a habitable environment by lowering the floor. It now has a new lounge space with log

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Urban Sanctuary

Top left: Cupboard blackboard doors are a fun feature Left: Extensive glazing has been incorporated into the design Above: The fireplace wasn't allowed to run from coal or logs Right: The ground floor has been stepped down to create an open plan level

† 22

Urban Sanctuary stove and pod seating that could also provide guest accommodation – something that was important to Jack and Georgia.

"For the fireplace, we had to allow for smokeless fuel whilst retaining our original design concept. We consulted specialists who said we had to enclose the area in the glass to create the draw for the fire to work correctly. However, we worked around this by lowering the fire pit to create a small enclosure by the concrete bench, placing the chimneystack to the left hand side.

The fire works beautifully, exactly as if it were enclosed on all sides."

Exceeding expectations The project totalled only 2% over the original budget of ÂŁ170,000 and completed within the predicted 17 weeks.

The finished renovation goes above and beyond

† 23

Urban Sanctuary

Left: The renovation has retained traditional features Below: Skylights spread sunlight throughout the home

Jack and Georgia’s project brief. The ground floor has the original staircase leading up to the first floor, but is now stepped down to meet the kitchen that was previously cut off from the living areas. This opens up the space and creates a calming flow throughout the divided levels.

The choice of fixed furniture such as bookcases and fireplaces help to define areas within the openplan rooms. Ran continues: "With the ground floor opened up it was important to clearly define spaces for different activities. This has been achieved through incorporating built-in features. The reception room now has a small cosy space around a bespoke fireplace, whilst the kitchen and dining is separated by an island, with this definition further enhanced by a carefully placed window seat."

Fluid design The fluid design incorporates storage and seating within the room’s mould. Sunk into walls and jotting out of alcoves, these utilise space and create divisions whilst still maintaining an aesthetic and minimalist flow.

Collaborations between wood and white sit neatly beside the exposed brickwork of the building’s Victorian shell. New skylights above the dining room flood

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Left: Bedrooms on the first floor take advantage of traditional accents Below: A grey and white palette has been used throughout the project

Urban Sanctuary

surface that can produce seamless areas as opposed to other surfacing options, such as tiles.

Another surfacing aspect that the family would recommend to others is the blackboards that have been incorporated in the kitchen and living room.

These have been included to create storage and childfriendly play spaces that are both fun and work as a kitchen focal feature that is refreshingly different to traditional wall finishes.

Ran continues: "The finished space has achieved the vast majority of our intentions. By finalising the design in 3D we were able to fully realise the project before we were on site meaning the clients already understood what they were getting. One part of the original design that was lost was the attic

the extension with natural light, which travels up the stepped ground floor into the main living space.

Rooflights have also been incorporated into the new attic living space. No space is wasted as the corners of the slanted ceiling echo the same structured moulding as the ground floor by including embedded seating areas – no void has been left unutilised. Here, much in the same manner as the ground level, clean lines and softs joins unite walls, ceiling and storage.

Durable materials Bedrooms on the first floor have been renovated with a lowering of the ceiling to accommodate the extra living space in the attic. The rooms have also been reconfigured to gain an en-suite. Compared to the rest of the house, these rooms remain more traditional, especially evident in the skirting and architraves – a traditional contrast to the striking moulded minimalist designs seen on the ground floor and attic.

Scenario Architecture’s signature style is clearly displayed within the new home’s design – especially evident in the project’s material specification. Durable materials have been used that show natural colour, including a concrete floor which benefits from underfloor heating. This material offers an inexpensive

25

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Urban Sanctuary fireplace. This would have complemented the unusual fireplace on the ground floor, but due to height requirements it could not be achieved, meaning we opted for a stove in its place."

Tailored design He continues: "Lowering the ground floor level from front to back is my favourite aspect of the finished project because this is what really makes a difference to the house. It connects what was a disjointed ground floor and makes the house more practical for family living."

Finally, Ran offers his advice to anyone looking to renovate a terraced property: "My advice is to thoroughly consider what it is you want to get from the property – ask yourself how the space could better work to suit your needs. With this in mind, carefully consider what is achievable and trust that – with the right team on board – it can be achieved."

www.scenarioarchitecture.com

Above: The attic has been transformed into an extra living space Left: The renovation makes the most of natural light

27

Impressive Innovation

On the

waterfront A three-year renovation project has transformed a new build property into an open-plan home that makes the most of its riverside views. † 28

Impressive Innovation

W

hen Kevin and Sandra Brown bought this ten-year-old Purley on Thames property in 2011 they felt it had great potential.

Kevin explains: “It was a lovely house to begin with, but it wasn’t living up to its full potential. We had always thought of taking on a renovation project, but I suppose we found the reality a little daunting. This project worked for us because the home was in a livable condition and had ample space for us to reside in it whilst work was taking place.

This gave us the opportunity to really make the space our own, but at our own pace.”

Because Kevin is semi-retired, he was able to project manage whilst working part time. The couple didn’t have a preconceived idea of how they wanted their new home to look, so spent weekends visiting shops to get a feel for their style preferences and then surfed the internet to source products that matched this.

Taking in the view One of the first jobs was to renovate the very top floor featuring the master bedroom. This mezannine level sits within the pitched roof and is situated back from the large windows that look out onto the river. This allows for a double height ceiling in the first floor main living space, which benefits from extensive glazing across the entire front wall right up into the building’s apex.

The mezannine level’s safety was originally secured with a single balustrade. However, this presented an obstacle, as the couple wanted to preserve the stunning view onto the river without letting

Bi-folding doors have been supplied by Origin

The Berkshire property sits alongside the River Thames

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Sub-brow Impressive Innovation Eyebrow

the sunlight compromise a restful night’s sleep. The solution was to turn the balustrade into a full wall to maintain the view, along with bespoke plantation shutters to block out sunlight when needed. Other considerable tasks for this floor included fitting bespoke storage, creating a dressing room, extending the en suite and adding an air conditioning system to help with ventilation.

The first floor’s renovation has created an openplan space that includes kitchen, dining room and living space. Two sets of bespoke aluminium bifolding doors open onto a large balcony overlooking the river. The doors open up fully and connect to a gable window, allowing for maximum natural light to flood into the home.

Impressive functionality Kevin continues: “I knew I wanted bi-folds because of the space they offer. I was drawn to the functionality and how you can open up and transform an entire space. The kitchen didn’t need much work, but we’ve put in a breakfast bar that neatly separates the kitchen and dining space.”

The original bathroom on the ground floor was large, but looked more like team changing room than family bathroom. It has been transformed into a

Left and below left: The master bedroom is on a mezzanine level Below: Bespoke bedroom fittings have been supplied by Sharps

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Impressive Innovation Four sets of bi-folding doors have been used across two floors

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Impressive Innovation

sophisticated space with modern fittings and neutral decor.

The lounge on the ground floor was the last room to be refurbished. Two sets of bi-folding doors replace original chunky wooden sliding doors, looking out onto the river exactly as those on the first floor. The doors are powdercoated in anthracite grey to complement the dark, wooden beams in the house, but also to fade into the interior’s background. These create a seamless link between living room and front garden, removing boundaries between inside and outside. The extensive addition of glazing leads the eye right down to the riverfront, which now acts as the home’s focal feature.

Kevin and Sandra were so impressed with the bi-folding doors that they went back to the same company, Origin, to specify matching windows for the entire property. The company also supplied electric roller blinds that fit the bi-folding doors as well as reducing heat build-up in the summer and heat loss in the winter.

Outside, the front garden has been completely redeveloped thanks to a garden designer. More decking has been added and the mooring has been updated. The back of the property now has a large parking space and new double garage.

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Sub-brow Impressive Innovation Eyebrow

Fortunate flexibility Because they were under no time restrictions, Kevin and Sandra were able to be flexible with their specification and consequently the project’s budget.

During the renovation the couple’s vision for their new home evolved, leading to further works that they hadn’t originally allowed for.

Kevin explains: “For us, it was a question of doing one project at a time – we came to jobs when we were ready to do them. When we looked around the property we knew that there were lots of things we both wanted and needed to do. My first budget of £78k wasn’t based on anything other than a

Above: High spec products have been used throughout Left: Bi-folding doors make the most of the views Below left: The couple have opted for a modern look Below: A breakfast bar breaks up the open plan space

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Impressive Innovation

finger in the air estimate. In reality the total project has cost over double that.

“I think everything was just a lot more expensive than I anticipated. For example, I budgeted about £4.5k for the front garden in total ignorance and ended up spending £25k! Another factor was that I often opted for higher spec and decided to add extras throughout the project – for example the air conditioning unit wasn’t in the original budget. The thing is that we didn’t let the original budget constrain us and we were fortunate enough to allow for extra costs.”

A home for life The couple ended up spending £55k on tasks not originally accounted for. These included new windows throughout, a new poured kitchen floor, the bathroom and lounge refurbishment, replacing the back steps and adding a bespoke storage space under the stairs.

Kevin continues: “I guess it isn’t as bad as it seems!

These were jobs that we thought we might do at some point in the future, it just so happened that we got all the other bits done and were in the fortunate position of being able to bring extras forward. But this is it now – we’re finished! We love our new house and I don’t think we could find anything better – no more budgeting!

“Our approach was that we weren’t doing this to sell it on in the future – we have chosen things for us because we want to live in this house for the rest of our lives and that’s why we haven’t let the budget dictate the project. I think any renovator or homebuilder has got to fully understand the reason behind the project. If you’re doing it because you want it to be your house then you will have a different approach to if you want to sell in a few years. For example, we have gone with what we like rather than what’s on-trend and we haven’t scrimped on quality because we are going to be here for a long time.”

www.origin-global.com

Facts & Figures Above: The back of the home has a completely different look

Original estimations and actual amount spent: Item

Estimated Actual

Double garage Front garden Mooring Bedroom

£23k £26k £4.5k £25k £5k £16k £17k £25k

Extra £55k spent on:

Windows Kitchen floor Bathroom refurbish Lounge refurbish

Original budget: £78k Total spent: £167k Left: The couple worked with a garden designer

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Kitchens Eyebrow Sub-brow

Your guide to kitchen worktops Worktops are the crucial accessory of the kitchen. Much like combining the wrong coloured handbag or shoes with an outfit may ruin the ensemble, mismatch your worktop and cabinets and the kitchen could loose its style. Here, Kevin Buchanan – Design Director of independent kitchen designer and retailer, Kitchen International – offers guidance to discover what worktop will work best in your new kitchen.

K

evin begins: “When I began designing kitchens over 20 years ago the choice and material for worktops was very limited. Now the quality and choice is huge and each one caters for its function. For example, a food prep area requires a different worktop to that of a breakfast bar.

“The newest materials available today are engineered stones such as Dekton and Silestone, which are not only hard wearing but also sleek, stylish and come in a myriad of colours and patterns.”

First of all, consider what the worktop will be used for. Its function determines the type of worksurfaces suitable. Bear in mind that it is usually worth combining at least two, if not three, varieties of worksurface within the same kitchen. Most importantly a worktop should be durable, but durability does not mean compromising on style or colour. Remember also that, after the floor, the worktop gets the hardest use in a kitchen.

Kevin continues: “In the past, choices between

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natural or man-made materials came in at opposite ends of the pricing spectrum. Now, with the advance in worktop technology, there are composite options that are just as hard wearing as stone, available in varying colours and patterns with a consistent look.

A quality worktop will enhance an affordable kitchen, while cheaper options may risk aesthetics. Ensure your worktop is resistant to scratches, staining and heat and is preferably non porous. Always touch, see and feel the worktop to ensure it is what you want. If possible, talk to an experienced kitchen designer and installer to template and fit your worktop.”

Next, ensure your worktop is easily cleaned. It is a large visual area in the kitchen and – where time is often at a premium – easy maintenance is key. Rarely will just one worktop satisfy a large kitchen design, so zoning is important and also helps budget stretch further. Choose a hard wearing material beside sinks and in food preperation areas, and opt for acrylics, laminates or wood elsewhere. Glass works well at breakfast bars and dining areas.

Above left: Glass worktops provide a modern look and enhance focal areas Above: A worktops useage will determine the most suitable material

Below: Worktops need to withstand heat, staining and be scratch resistant Below right: For a seamless look, mold your sink into the worktop

Granite is the most popular and strongest of natural stone choices but is declining in popularity as the quality and choice of composites overtakes. Granite is lowmaintenance, although wine and citric spills must be mopped up immediately. It will require sealing but is water resistant.

Corian and other solid surfaces with a high acrylic content can be thermoformed into almost any shape, allowing for sinks that are integrated with a stylish, seamless finish. This material is hygienic, easy to care for and comes in a variety of thickness and colours, so can be easily coordinated with kitchen cabinets. It is ideal as one complete worktop as well as hob splashbacks.

Composite is an ideal choice if you want consistency, stain resistance and anti-bacterial qualities. Currently on-trend, it is a practical and beautiful choice that can be used anywhere – including next to hobs and around the sink. However, it can come with a higher price tag. Dramatic colours such as dark grey and blue look fabulous in modern and contemporary kitchens, while more traditional designs call for neutrals, such as cream.

It is easy to clean, very tough and more durable than many natural stones – perfect for kitchens that want uniformity across one or several rooms.

Laminate is now manufactured in a high pressure environment making it far more durable than in the past. It is convenient and easy to fit – no need to template – and is good value for money. It can also be manufactured to match the cabinetry for a monochrome or uniform look. However, it is not resistant to heat or steam, nor can it be used as a cutting surface.

Ceramic is a relatively new option, but as it can be

formed in very thin layers it is growing in popularity for those who want super-thin surfaces that wrap around cabinetry. It is highly scratch-resistant and can also be used to clad doors, providing flowing continuity to an island or bank of cabinets.

Hardwood has a softer look and is perfect for dining areas, islands and breakfast bars. Hardwood can be incorporated into a contemporary scheme using glass or stainless steel to add a warm feel. A downside of wood is that it can be easily stained or scratched and requires more maintenance.

Glass gives a modern, contemporary look and bounces light around the room, making the kitchen seem larger.

It is best suited for focal-point breakfast bars or as a feature worktop in small kitchens to increase the feeling of space. To add extra light and style it can be lit from below to create an atmospheric focus.

Stainless Steel creates an industrial look, which is much favoured by professional cooks and chefs. Avoid using throughout the kitchen as it can give a harsh, cold look. It is easy to clean and has no joints for dirt to accumulate.

Kitchens

What worktop where?

www.kitchensinternational.co.uk

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Heating

The heat is on Space and water heating normally accounts for more than 60% of a household’s energy, so it’s crucial that self-builders make the right choice when planning their heating system. Karen Trewick, Director of Communications at electric heating specialist Dimplex, looks at the options available to maximise comfort and keep running costs down.

W

ith lower running costs, improved technologies and now added payments through the long-awaited introduction of the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), renewable heating is proving increasingly popular for self-build schemes.

Heat pumps are a popular choice, which extract warmth from the ground or ambient air and compress it, raising the temperature sufficiently to run a heating system. As the names suggest, air source heat pump systems take energy from the air and ground source systems use the earth’s own energy.

Installing a typical air source heat pump system is not inexpensive, but the combination of lower energy bills and added income through the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme could see higher efficiency models back in as little as five years.

Ground source heat pumps are inevitably more expensive to install, but with bigger cost savings

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and higher RHI payments, the payback period could be as low as four years.

Running costs will vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of your property, the level of insulation and what temperatures you are aiming to achieve.

The importance of emitters The important thing to remember with heat pump systems is that they work more efficiently at lower output temperatures. This means that the choice of heat emitter – whether radiators, underfloor heating or specially designed low temperature radiators – is crucial to the ongoing performance and running costs of the system.

Conventional ‘wet’ radiators require a flow temperature of around 55°C, which in most cases is the maximum flow temperature that can be achieved by a heat pump. This means that the heat pump would be forced to work above and beyond efficient levels and radiators would need to be oversized in order to heat the building to its design temperatures.

Although market leading models can achieve higher flow temperatures, any heat pump feeding low temperature heat emitters such as underfloor heating or fan assisted radiators will deliver better results than with conventional radiators.

In practice, this means a better performance and lower running costs.

With an optimum working temperature of 35-40oC – similar to underfloor heating – these radiators do not require oversizing like their conventional counterparts. In fact, they contain around only 5% of the water content of a traditional model and deliver three times more output per metre of length than a double panel convector.

Electric avenue There are a wide range of traditional electric heating solutions available, each with a modern twist, designed to meet increasingly stringent building regulations to maximise the efficiency of domestic properties. With higher efficiency comes lower energy bills, improved comfort

Heating Far left: Designed to look like a woodburning stove, this electric flame even includes a smoke effect Above: Electric radiators allow for maximum control over your heating Left: Air Source Heat Pumps are a popular renewable energy source amongst self-builders

conditions and rapid instant heat.

Direct acting electric radiators combine radiant and convection heating with delayed anticipatory control to provide heat. This makes these products perfect for rooms like conservatories or bedrooms which may not be occupied continuously and means they can be used as a supplement to the main heating system.

Another to consider is an electric towel rail, which can offer low energy towel warming separate from the main central heating system.

With a choice of sizes and finishes as well as

optional controllers, they can provide cheap, safe and maintenance-free towel warming throughout the year.

No flames, no fuss The final product for self-builders to consider is as much an interior design statement as it is a heating source. Often easy to install and with more realistic flame effects than ever before, electric fires are proving increasingly popular.

In fact, research shows that 67% of customers who buy an electric fire have gas central heating

in their house, which means that they probably could have opted for a gas fire but chose electric.

For those householders and many others like them, the benefits of easy installation and an instant flame for atmosphere and aesthetics help them to create a stunning focal point in the home.

Unlike gas fires and solid fuel stoves, most electric fires can be operated independently of the heat to create a cosy glow without adding unwanted heat to the room and costing only as much as a light bulb to run. It means a unique year-round product, offering ambience through the seasons with additional warmth only when needed.

The realism of revolutionary new flame effects have only reinforced this buying trend. Dimplex Opti-myst, for example, is the world’s first truly 3D flame effect for electric fires, offering the illusion of real flames and smoke. This can feature in a range of products including stoves, inset fires and wall mounted models.

www.dimplex.co.uk

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Foundations

Principle types of foundation: 1. Standard Strip

Firm foundations If you’re new to self-build, working out which foundation application is best for your project can be one of the most daunting aspects of all the construction phases and is difficult to budget for accurately. Therefore, it is important to clearly identify the best foundation solution for your project early on.

B

efore you even set foot on site, it is strongly advisable to employ the services of a specialist engineer or soil expert to conduct a soil analysis.

The integrity of your build may ultimately depend on the stability and strength of the underlying soil or rock. However, this is not usually a straightforward matter. In many cases the underlying matter may be a mixture of elements and form superimposed layers, each of which may contain a mixture of soil types.

Thankfully, there are a range of foundation solutions to meet every type of subsoil, ranging from traditional trench-fill or strip footing through to an engineered raft or even a pile solution. Make sure you consult with a local building inspector who will be able to agree your trench-depth on-site.

Informed specification Where there is soil instability or potential settlement, your structural engineer will design a raft solution. This essentially integrates the

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foundation and slab into one concrete core with suitable reinforcement holding both together. Heavy clay soil usually requires deeper foundations, which can incur additional costs.

If conditions on site mean that you have to employ a special foundation, don’t panic. In reality, the costs can be easily absorbed during the build or covered by your contingency fund.

In very worst cases, extra costs are unlikely to exceed 10% of the original budget.

In most cases homes built with either timber frame or masonry will share precisely the same foundations and no distinction will be made between the two. In a few cases – where loads are critical – the lightweight timber frame or other prefabricated-type structures may be able to have lesser foundations. This is particularly applicable with a piled and ringbeam foundation, where it might sometimes be possible to reduce the number of piles.

www.nsbrc.co.uk

For most soil conditions this is the best and most cost-effective way of constructing your foundations. A trench 450-600mm wide is dug 1-1.2m deep beneath all external and loadbearing walls. In the bottom of this a layer of concrete, at least 225mm thick, is placed and upon this the foundation walls are built in blockwork with two skins to external walls and a single skin to internal loadbearing walls.

2. Trenchfill In instances where the water-table is high or the trench sides are unstable it’s often better to revert to this type of foundation. The trenches are essentially the same as Standard Strip, except that, instead of just putting concrete in the bottom, you fill them almost to the top – usually within 200mm of the surface.

3. Deep Trenchfill If you are working with heavy clay and are in close proximity to trees, it is recommended to take the foundation below the level at which a tree’s thirst for water is active. This can mean digging to a depth of 3m and filling the trenches with significant amounts of concrete.

At these levels special care needs to be taken and shoring might be required.

4. Piled and Ringbeam This kind of foundation is used in situations where the top layers of ground have poor bearing capacity and good bearing can only be found at deeper levels, such as that found with deep clay strata or brownfield site. The piles are driven or bored into the ground to support a reinforced concrete ringbeam (groundbeam) spanning from cap to cap to support the house walls.

5. Reinforced Concrete Raft This system is used where the ground has good bearing but is inherently unstable due to geological or mining conditions far below the surface. A large hole is dug and filled with consolidated layers of hardcore. Upon this a specially designed reinforced-concrete raft is cast, and it is this raft or slab that supports the whole house.

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i-build

The benefits of

modern construction methods Simon Orrells recognised the potential of offsite construction methods when he started he career in the early 1990s. Here, Simon offers his perspective on why the timber frame industry is at its strongest to date.

: Secret e d a r T e r fram

Timbe e UK’s th is now rowing g t s e t fas d of metho ion uct constr

S

ystem specification is crucial to success when planning to build energy efficient, sustainable homes. One main decision self-builders face is the choice between traditional or modern methods of construction.

A recent article published by an alliance set up to represent the traditional construction industry claims that the timber frame market share in the UK is currently

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the lowest it has been in many years. The online article also stated that traditional methods of construction offer better sustainability at a lower cost. Contrary to this, the Structural Timber Association (STA) released figures at the end of 2014 confirming a record number of orders for the timber frame sector last year, with some companies seeing a 100% increase in business and reporting continued growth.

Efficient elements Factors that drive energy efficiency are bespoke specification issues such as levels of insulation and airtightness. The gap between predicted and actual energy performance is now well documented with the publication of the Zero Carbon Hub’s report, ‘Closing the Gap Between Design and As-Built Performance.’ Timber frame offers considerably more certainty when it comes to delivering as-designed performance, with U-Values that are significantly easier to predict.

The minimum U-Value required in the external walls of a new-build house is currently 0.30 W/ m2K and timber frame solutions are often able to achieve less than 0.10 W/m2K. Blockwork home suppliers claim around 0.25 W/m2K, which confirms that timber frame structures vastly outperform more traditional methods of construction in terms of heat retention.

Timber frame houses are also sealed, preventing moist air from getting inside the building and keeping warm air within. It is clear that by using prefabricated timber frame solutions, self-builders can achieve a rapid dry building envelope – typically 30% quicker than traditional methods of construction. Timber frame construction is less weather-dependant, which makes project planning more predictable and reduces the risk of setbacks. Many construction follow-on trades, such as electricians and plasterers cannot work in exposed weather conditions and therefore cannot start until the interior is protected from the elements. These trades can start much earlier in the construction programme of a timber frame house, which results in a faster completion time.

Timber frame providers are able to erect an average four-bedroom house, whilst making it watertight, in just seven days – a claim that is far beyond the capability of any traditional methods. Houses with all-masonry walls require a longer period for mortar and plaster on the inside to dry out, extending the build time by several weeks.

i-build

The STA confirmed that the timber industry has reported increases in sales of up to 163% in recent months. These figures are a direct result of the widely reported shortage of materials in other sectors and the recognition that timber brings speed of build as well as superb energy efficiency. Timber frame is widely acknowledged as being both an economical and efficient method of construction. Because the frame is built off-site in controlled factory conditions, this type of construction offers greater freedom and opportunities for adaptability.

Timeframe advantages Self-builder Simon Cowey appointed a timber frame provider for two self-build homes: a bungalow for his parents and a four-bedroom luxury home for himself and his family. Simon comments on why a speedy build was essential for his project: “Time is money, an old but relevant adage. As both my parents and

Above: Silvershaft House in Surrey is formed from a timber frame Right: Timber frame is a popular choice for selfbuilders

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i-build

family were in rented accommodation during both builds, the interest on our bank loan funding was rising.

This meant that securing the earliest possible move in date was essential. We were drawn towards the ease and efficiency of timber frame construction; it is a fast and effective way to build an energy efficient new home."

Sustainable credentials Timber frame is now the UK’s fastest growing method of construction and a core reason for this is the sustainability benefits it delivers. The latest building regulations demanding the use of more sustainable materials make this a major factor that self-builders

cannot ignore. Timber delivers a high-performance building solution that directly contributes to achieving high Code for Sustainable Homes levels. The Fabric First Approach creates a high performance, thermally efficient building envelope that can meet higher levels of Code, without the need to rely on expensive energy saving bolt-on technologies, such as solar panels.

The Structural timber from well-established timber frame companies is sourced from managed forests, making it highly renewable and sustainable.

Planting trees for the production of timber benefits the environment and its harvesting, production and transport are seen to produce less CO2 than traditional construction materials.

Left: The Old Telephone Exchange, Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire Above: The Old Telephone Exchange's timber frame has an airtight structure Right: Richard and Paula Hurt together with their family at Highfield – their new timber frame selfbuild home in Cholesbury, Buckinghamshire

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i-build The claim is that the traditional construction industry is pulling together to counteract so-called misplaced perceptions on modern methods of construction.

However, I would have to agree with Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association, who that their members are now witnessing the fruits of their labours. As an association, the STA have worked hard to build an understanding of timber in terms of sustainability and performance, coupled with the relationships they have forged with other organisations.

As far as I’m concerned, the future is hugely positive for the timber industry and it is extremely exciting to be a part of this. With consumers recognising the advantages of offsite construction, this is an industry that will continue to thrive.

www.structuraltimber.co.uk

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Eyebrow Flooring Sub-brow

New hues for Karndean Looselay Series Three One of the UK’s market leaders in luxury vinyl flooring Karndean Designflooring is expanding its collection of stylish wood designs as part of its LooseLay Series Three launch.

A

vailable from March 2015, the sophisticated hues include popular pale and warm oak tones, fashionable rustics and deep greys.

Inspired by nature, the collection’s six new woods feature the distressed grey hues of Hartford LLP112 to the striking, warm ginger tones of Burlington LLP10.

Popular for its easy-fit approach, Karndean LooseLay is an innovative format of luxury vinyl flooring designed for homeowners looking for a convenient and stylish flooring solution.

Boasting the realistic designs and premium quality homeowners expect from Karndean, LooseLay’s complete collection will now feature 19 wood and eight stone designs.

Available in large scale wood look planks at 41.3 x 9.85in and tiles at 19.7 x 24in, LooseLay flooring is perfectly placed to work in almost any space in the home. Importantly, it’s easy to install and can be laid over most existing hard floors.

100% recyclable, Karndean LooseLay’s

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unique friction grip backing and increased dimensional stability secures the floor firmly in place. It can also help absorb sound, making it the perfect solution for reducing noise levels in busy playrooms, bedrooms and garage/loft conversions.

With a 15 year residential guarantee, the collection’s large scale planks and tiles – combined with the fact that it’s quick and easy to fit – means less upheaval for homeowners.

Karndean Designflooring is a global leader in flooring design with operations in the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand. By offering a wide range of colours, textures and finishes, the company’s products allow you to create looks that are unique to your home and are guaranteed to last. With a passion for creating floors that are both stylish and practical, we’re here to help customers find the right floor for their space, needs and unique style.

www.karndean.com 01386 820 100 info@karndean.co.uk

Top: Shown here is Karndean LooseLay Hartford LLP112 Below: The LooseLay collection includes 19 wood and eight stone designs

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your self-build project in our next issue?

Get involved: Know any budding self-builders? The i-build website and magazine have already become an invaluable resource, and subscriptions are absolutely free! Visit i-buildmagazine.com /subscriptions

Whether you're halfway through your build, or sitting back and enjoying the finished article, we'd love to hear from you!

Tell us about your renovation, conversion, extension or new build:

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i-nterior

Let your true Y colours shine through Interior designer and founder of design studio Violet & George, Nicky Mudie presents guidance on how to decorate your home in shades that suit your style.

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ou spend a great deal of time in your own home so think carefully about what colours you love; would you want to be surrounded by these hues and what is it that you like about them? Have a look in your wardrobe – do you have a specific colour that you often wear? I continue to remain amazed at how often my clients have a favourite colour and always encourage them to use colour to express their personality.

Your home presents an opportunity to express your personality. For example, we were briefed to create a family home in Lancaster that was a suitable environment for the family’s four young children. We were asked to not make the home too grown up and achieved this by using a playful and colourful palette.

We decorated each child’s bedroom in their favourite colours, leaving the master bedroom as the only room

i-nterior in the house to remain solely for grown ups. Because the parents own plenty of urban art, we used this theme repeatedly. We worked closely with celebrated urban artist Xenz and employed his skills to paint butterflies and birds in the corridor to the children’s bedrooms in his distinctive urban Chinoiserie style. We also commissioned another artist, Ben Allen, to paint a dazzle effect on the guest WC walls and bespoke rhino and elephant panels in the dining room.

It’s worth considering the longevity of your project. For example, natural tones don’t go out of fashion. Colours often remain in fashion for longer than forecasters expect. Unlike the fashion industry, colours remain ontrend in the interiors market for years, but although the shift in fashion isn’t as quick as on the catwalk, colour trends do gradually change. For example, while grey is everywhere at the moment, it has been a key trend for a

Top left: Your home presents an opportunity to express your personality Top right: Surround yourself with your favourite colours Above: Be sure to pick tones that won't date

while now and will begin dating, so avoid using it liberally or on items that you can’t change easily.

At one end of the colour spectrum is the pared back, pale, sparse Scandinavian or architectural look compared with a bold, dark, moody palette at the opposite end.

The use of dark tones, such as Farrow & Ball’s Railings, has seen an unprecedented rise, proving that consumers are becoming increasingly more confident with using colour. The rise in popularity of social media sites such as Houzz and Pinterest means consumers can visualise more daring colours in their own homes. I have noticed

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Above: The family worked alongside artists for certain interior elements Right: The master bedroom is the only space in the house designed specifically for adults Opposite: Rich tones create opulence in this room

that homeowners are keen to engage in stronger palettes and are more willing to experiment with colours. Dark tones act as a great backdrop to the peach, gold and champagne palette popular at the moment. Matt black is a stunning neutral against the metallic finishes that continue to be a home trend.

The subtly seductive shade, marsala is another colour of the moment.

It is an incredibly versatile hue appealing to both men and women – a red with heavy brown tones, it is unusual in its ability to work both as a statement and a neutral. Unlike primary or secondary colours that can clash, in my opinion, marsala works with anything. Pair with flesh tones and grey as an accent colour or let it melt into the background, becoming moody and sensuous with black and dark greens.

Think about the functionality of a space as well as style. For example, a bathroom is a great place to inject colour because it is a room associated with relaxation, reflection and indulgence. Metallics are great in a bathroom because they bring

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You need to consider the style and period of the building you’re working with. Highlight the features, have fun with them and accentuate them. For example, if you live in a Georgian house then play with the bold Georgian colour palette. Apply this playful homage theme with other period properties such as Edwardian, Victorian and Regency.

I am a big fan of using wallpaper to reflect a client’s personality and am especially keen on textured, patterned and illustrated styles. One of our studio’s key concerns is to create homes that reflect a homeowners personality. With this in mind, wallpaper is a great starting point as there are so many amazing designs to choose from. Fabrics, wallpapers and bespoke finishes play an important role in helping to create a playful, youthful and animated interior. One place to experiment with bright and bold wallpaper is in the smallest room of the house – the guest bathroom. From graffiti and wallpaper to mirrored tiles, create a space that will spark conversation and interest when guests come to visit. Because this room is so selfcontained, it can take the boldest of prints.

Violet & George is an interior design service that predominantly focuses on perfecting the finishing touches of a client’s home. Their work ranges from traditional, made-to-measure curtains and blinds, bed throws, headboards, cushions, rugs and lampshades to lighting, furniture, wallpaper and paint to add zest to client’s home.

Nicky Mudie founded the company, having previously founded Godrich Interior. A gap was spotted in the market for an interior service to offer something slightly different to a full re-fit interior design service. The business’ core concentrates on material, colour and pattern.

www.violetandgeorge.com

opulence and luxury to one of the smallest rooms in the home – they bounce light around in a flattering way and are extremely functional. Accents of colour can be brought into a calm, relaxing environment in many ways, from bath mats and towels to storage and hooks, use of colour is a great way to add some punch to a neutral and natural palette.

Light tones, especially white, bounce light around and make a room feel bright and spacious. However, darker tones with more black in them hold on to the light more, creating a softer and more forgiving space. As always, think about the function of the room, is it a space to relax and luxuriate in a bath or is it more a space to quickly get on with your day? The first would benefit from being dark and soft, the latter from being light, bright and colourful.

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Above: Bold patterns have been used throughout the interior Right: Pastel tones complement the theme Far right: Playful designs create a fun environment for the children

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Key looks This year interior trends continue to be diverse and disparate. There are five key looks for this season. ● Pale and Scandinavian ● Dark and moody ● Metallic fixtures and finishes ● Traditional, feminine patterns inspired by nature ● Contemporary patterns inspired by an urban landscape

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i-scape

Building your own garden room Nick Green, author of the Self Build Garden Room Guide, shares his top tips for building your own garden room.

Above: From a stylish home office/studio, to a poolside room for entertaining or relaxation, garden rooms come in all shapes and sizes Top right: This traditional Prima Fifth Avenue Classic 2 Garden Office or Studio by Garden Affairs measures 2.4 x 3.0m and is ideal for a corner position in the garden Far right: Here, a garden room makes a large office space

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ver the last 15 years garden rooms have become a popular way of extending your home. Most garden rooms are bought for use as home offices or studios, but we are seeing more and more complex designs being built for permanent living.

Often referred to as ‘posh sheds’, garden rooms are actually built like modern timber frame houses using the same materials and building techniques – as far from a garden shed as it is possible to get! These buildings are highly insulated meaning they are suitable for use all year round.

A garden room makes a great self-build project. There are two common routes for the self-builder – buy a kit and assemble it yourself or design and build the garden room yourself from scratch.

Buying a self-build kit is the simplest route and

companies like Building With Boxes offer high spec solutions which include a Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) core, cedar cladding, aluminum clad doors, electrics and more. This type of kit is delivered to you with assembly instructions. With prices starting at £4625 plus VAT this can be a quick and cost effective way of self-building a garden room.

The downside to buying a garden room kit is that you have little flexibility over the design of the building. If you have a specific design in mind it’s not too challenging to design and build a garden room from scratch.

Your own design When designing a garden room you need to bear in mind the Permitted Development rules for Outbuildings. In many cases, a garden room can be built without the need

i-scape for full Planning Permission, as long as the positioning and dimensions comply with Permitted Development. Flat roof garden rooms under 2.5m high are very popular as they can be sited close to the boundaries of the garden. With pitched roof designs you will need to site the building at least 2m from each boundary.

If you plan to sleep in your garden room, even only occasionally, it will need to comply with Building Regulations. Otherwise, garden rooms up to 30m2 can be built without Building Regulations as long as it is either 1m from the boundary or built from substantially noncombustible materials. Of course, all electrics and plumbing in the building must fully comply.

The Planning and Building Regulation rules will have an effect on your design and choice of materials.

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Key elements Foundations A concrete slab used to be the foundation of choice for a garden room, but today plinth foundations such as Jack Pads or Swift Plinths have revolutionised the market.

These adjustable pads are quick to install – needing very little site preparation – and overcome any unevenness of site. These foundation systems are also very popular because they are made from recycled materials and can be cleanly removed from the site should the building ever be taken down.

Core structure Garden room suppliers either favour a traditional timber frame for the core of the building or Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). As a self-builder you have these options open to you too. The traditional timber frame is what most self-builders tend to favour, but you do have the option of working with a SIPs manufacturer who will precision cut the SIPs to your plans including door and window openings.

Exterior

This garden room benefits from white washed walls and cosy seating areas

As with any timber frame building it is important that a breather membrane is present in the build up. Over this, garden rooms tend to be timber clad. Western Red Cedar is by far the most popular option for both its durability and aesthetic appeal. Larch, Thermowood and manmade boards like Cedral are also popular options.

Roof By far the most common roof covering for flat roof garden rooms is EPDM and you can buy kits for garden room size buildings online. Insulated roof panels which form both the interior and exterior finish and the external finish are popular with some designers. When it comes to pitched roof designs the entry level option is Asphalt shingles. Cedar shingles create a beautiful finish; you also have the option of slates or tiles, but you will need to design your roof accordingly to take the additional weight.

Doors & windows

The Boston Log Cabin by Garden Affairs measures 3 x 3.5m, and features a sloping pent roof, at 2.5m high, making it conform to the latest height planning regulations

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The doors and windows are often one of the main design features in a garden room. It’s common practice to use house quality doors and windows in garden room designs, whether they be UPVC or Aluminum clad. It is fashionable to have large expanses of floor to ceiling glazing. Bi-fold doors which fold back to open up the whole wall are a must have feature with buyers.

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A well-prepared plot is essential. Make sure the site is leveled and all vegetation removed.

2. The base of a garden room

requires either paving slabs or concrete. A concrete base offers maximum performance.

3. Structural Insulated Panel

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Interior

Plumbing

This is where garden rooms tend to vary. Basic models are lined with MDF or vinyl coated boards. Higher spec buildings have fully plastered interiors which have the feel of a room in a house. Birch plywood linings are also popular, offering a modern pared down style. When it comes to the flooring, laminate or engineered flooring are the most popular options, but you could also fit carpet or rubber.

As discussed at the start of this article, more and more garden rooms are being used as living annexes. Toilets or full shower rooms are designed in creating a truly self-contained building. You may need to call in advice on this aspect of the design and build as work will need to comply with Building Regulations and you will have to give thought to the sewage connections and water supply.

Electrics The electrical system is the one job that you need to call in the professionals for. Like with any building project there is both a first and second fix phase. The garden room normally has its own consumer unit which is connected to the house’s mains supply via an armoured cable buried under ground. An earth rod is also fitted. With garden rooms often being used as home offices, it’s a good idea to incorporate data, telephone and audio visual cabling into the system. Trunking for these cables is normally buried in the same trench as the electrics.

Designing and building a garden room is an enjoyable project and definitely within the scope of a competent DIY-er. By designing and building a garden room yourself you will not only get a building tailored to your needs and tastes but it will be the fraction of the cost of buying one on a full installation basis.

However, if this isn't an option, then there are many garden room companies to choose from who offer a diverse range at varied prices.

manufacturers will precision cut the walls to your plans, including gaps needed for doors and windows.

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A breather membrane is essential to improve energy efficiency and offer durable protection against condensation, water and air infiltration.

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The finished result will be a versatile room that will not only add space to your property, but also value.

: Secret Trade n to sleep in

pla it If you den room, ith ar g w ly p your o com t . d s e n e latio will n g Regu in d il u B

www.thegardenroomguide.co.uk

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Product Guide

British Spiral & Castings makes its mark

Improved customer experience Mrs Stone Store is inviting visitors to explore its new website which has been designed to provide the ultimate user-friendly experience with improved navigation and functionality throughout, allowing customers to access detailed product information and videos with the option to engage and share content across social networking platforms.

Mrs Stone Store, one of the UK's largest online retailers of Brazilian slate and Portuguese Limestone, has announced the launch of its newly revamped website and company branding. This newly redesigned website offers quick and easy access to the company's extensive range of natural stone products, as well as a wealth of technical and specialist information on maintenance and aftercare for your stone tiles or flooring.

The new website has a clean and uncluttered design, improved functionality, enhanced rich content and will continue to be developed in order to cement its position as a market leader in natural stone products. The website will support customers at every stage of their project from point of order through to guidance on suitable ancillary products. Plans for the future include product and educational videos, as well as a downloadable brochure and customer incentive schemes to engage across social media.

Libby Lloyd-Jones, Mrs Stone Store's Founder and Director comments: “We believe that the new website will allow our visitors to have a very informative experience as we continue to grow our market presence within the natural stone sector.”

www.mrs-stone-store.com 01283 730388 sales@mrs-stone-store.com

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A family run producer of bespoke staircases, balconies and railings is flying the flag for British quality-compliance, by becoming one of the first spiral stair manufacturers to achieve the CE Mark for its products. In achieving the CE Mark – or Conformité Européenne – Derbyshire based British Spirals & Castings has put itself on the top rung, providing assurance that its manufacturing process meets the highest European standards. There are more than 20 EU directives setting out the product categories requiring CE marking. In order to display the Mark a manufacturer has to satisfy itself that its product is in full compliance with the technical requirements of the relevant directive. The accreditation is a declaration that the product meets EU safety, environmental and health protection requirements.

www.britishsc.co.uk 01663 750 716 sales@britishsc.co.uk

Complete flooring system for quick installation Ideas soon turn into reality with imaginative planning and a bespoke wet floor design from a specialist like On The Level.

With 30 years experience, On The Level is a leading UK manufacturer of concealed wet floor formers and is one of the only manufacturers who can produce bespoke solutions in any size or shape. The formers are precision engineered in 24mm birch ply which means they are extremely strong, but light and easy to handle and can be readily shaped on site and screwed into position. The clever design dictates the gradient of the tiled floor in the shower area to allow water to drain away quickly.

www.onthelevel.co.uk 01525 373202 sales@onthelevel.co.uk

From gothic to glorious Osmo UK’s eco-friendly UVProtection-Oil has been used to safeguard, restore and rejuvenate a Gothic Revival porch at an 18th century listed property in Cambridgeshire. The porch had been deteriorating for some time but after an incident with a lorry, the owners decided it was time to restore it. Andrew and Mark Hoskins – antique restoration specialists – reinstated it to its former glory using Osmo’s UV-Protection-Oil. The existing varnish was scraped and sanded by hand before a clear wood preservative was applied as a foundation. Once dry, two coats of UV-Protection-Oil were applied with a brush and cloth. A combination of clear, cedar, oak, walnut, rosewood and patina grey tints was used.

www.osmouk.com 01296 481 220 info@osmouk.com

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Inex-online.com Interior and exterior design inspiration

The comprehensive online specification portal for interior and exterior design professionals. Inex takes visitors on a virtual journey, inspiring the design community with the latest news, on-trend products and high-profile interviews.

www.inex-online.com

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Baufritz is passionate about creating a luxurious living environment that’s designed just for you. All our homes use an abundance of high quality, natural materials that are completely free of toxins, creating a harmonious atmosphere that looks beautiful, protects the environment and makes you feel good.

www.baufritz-ib.co.uk Find out more about Baufritz and contac t our UK office: enquiries@baufritz-ib.co.uk | 01223 235632