Modern Timber Framed House

We were contracted by the Architect Charles Gillespie to construct the super structure of his modern project in rural Somerset. The project is an ambitious and beautifully designed timber frame house that we were trusted to bring to life.

Our part of the build consisted of 26 trusses and one huge beam made of Laminated Veneered Lumber. LVL is layers of timber engineered and glued, then compressed under high pressure to make structural members.

Each truss had 3 structural layers and were joined with a steel flitch plate between the timbers. The frame is principally held together with 2500 nuts and bolts which stay on show in the vaulted ceiling.

Once built the timber frame created a huge upstairs living space consisting of kitchen, dining and living space and spectacular views over Somerset and towards the Mendips.

To build the house we had to create each truss on the ground and then raise them using a crane. Each truss leg was bolted into a concrete ring beam on the perimeter of the house.

To build the house we had to create each truss on the ground and then raise them using a crane. Each truss leg was bolted into a concrete ring beam on the perimeter of the house.

After the main build we also took on the modern style warm roof build up which is a complete blanket of Steico insulation on top of the mainframe of the roof which also has outstanding acoustic properties. We needed to be meticulous with the Vapour control layer to make sure we completed the hermetic seal essential in high end new builds and Passivhaus.

We are really proud of the work we completed with this ambitious build, we have loved working with Charles and we look forward to collaborating more in the future.

Home Office

We were commissioned by a client to create a garden office in an attractive area of London, next to the fields in Highbury. The client wanted a peaceful, light space to work in, away from the house, which incorporated its surroundings.

Large bifold doors were chosen to invite as much light as possible into the space, and to create a real feeling of connection between the outside and in.

The client chose a jackdaw style studio which we designed to their requirements with an oak floor, wrap-around decking, cedar reveals around the windows and bifold door as well as a swing frame made from Oak.

Underfloor heating was installed which can be controlled from the studio and set to the desired temperature, supporting the studio, to create an environment suitable for year round use.

The outside of the studio and the swing frame were finished in our classic matt black paint, contrasting beautifully with the wrap around decking. This studio sits elegantly in its surroundings, nestled between mature trees in this leafy, central London neighbourhood.

Pergola

The timber pergola a light and spacious approach to utilising an outdoor space.

It’s always nice to try something new, and this pergola was the perfect opportunity to do just that.

This client wanted to extend their living space, making the most of their external patio, whilst also creating a space which bought together the outside and in. Our client decided on a timber pergola with a polycarbonate roof.

Natural light was a big focus of this project and so clear solid polycarbonate roofing was used, allowing light to flood in, whilst revealing neighbouring trees and a big view of the sky. Most polycarbonates are clear, but due to their lightweight structure, they are usually not transparent. However this solid polycarbonate is, it gives a glass like appearance to the roof, whilst also being light weight!

Oversized sawn timber was chosen for the frame, to give the pergola a robust authentic look. The posts were bolted to the ground with a discreet ground anchor to ensure a sturdy frame. Once the posts were installed the big lift was needed for the wall plate, ready for the roof to go on.

We’re so pleased with this pergola, a space in which the outside meets the in, housing a beautiful array of plants. It’s always such a privilege to create functional, family spaces, that can be used all year round.

And big thanks to client for sending through such beautiful photos!

Artists Studio

We were approached by artist Sarah Woodburn in April 2021 to create a garden studio for her new home. Sarah wanted a light and spacious studio which would be used on a daily basis to support her creative process. It was really important to Sarah that we create room for her to both make work and display her beautiful large scale paintings.

As the garden was narrower than usual Sarah opted to make the studio much longer than our standard Jackdaw studios. This design has one window and door at the front and a large skylight to allow plenty of light whilst maximising wall space for her paintings.

It’s great to play with scale and to see how our Jackdaws can be adapted to the specifics of each garden. We are now helping Sarah to fit an additional vent to allow for plenty of air flow in the studio.

Vale annex

We were approached by our client to build a combined annex and garage, designed by Beech Architects. The main features are a large tilt and turn garden facing window, a green roof and beautiful Larch cladding and lots of it!

This design is like no other we have built to date and we couldn’t wait to get stuck into the design.  

The build started with the ground works, block work and then the timber frame, we then handed over to the roofer to lay the GRP over the roof and the parapet wall which would contain the green roof. We cladded the walls with textured Larch cladding to make the space watertight, cutting back the cladding at the parapet to ensure the green roof could be seen in all its glory! 

Bringing the huge tilt and turn window in was a true task. It welcomes in an incredible amount of light and fully opens to let the outside in, making this space feel closer to the world outside.

Bespoke garage doors are concealed well behind the cladding along with more hidden doors on the side, one to the annex and one to the garage. Bespoke parliament hinges have helped to keep these hidden with a minimal gap around the doors.

We worked closely with the client on this project, reviewing their ideas and how the project was progressing on a regular basis. At times we were able to adapt the design and make some small but significant progressive changes to the intended design which allowed a fluidity to the process of this build. 

We are so happy with how this build turned out and we can’t wait to see how this project settles into its environment, for the larch cladding to silver and the green roof to mature.

Painters Studio

We collaborated with brilliant artist Sarah Longworth-West to design this sage green painters studio for her home in London.

Natural light was a big focus of this project, this creative space needed to house ideas and creation throughout the working day, so we opted for a big open roof light as well as black aluminium framed glass doors and windows.

Sarah chose sawn weatherboard cladding for the studio to protect it from the elements and underfloor heating to keep the studio warm during the cold months. Cedar reveals were added around the window and door which contrast beautifully with the studios colour. Ply board was added behind the plasterboard so that Sarah could hang her paintings with screws anywhere she likes.

Unfortunately in some cases, the quality of certain materials during the pandemic has decreased. In this instance the cladding to the sides and rear of Sarah’s studio. We will be returning to the studio in the coming weeks to replace these materials to ones of the right standard for our studios. It’s important to us to keep our standards high and our clients happy. We will always strive to use the best materials available to us.

Functional, creative spaces are a joy for us to work on, we love hearing new ideas and meeting the clients individual needs, in this case, optimum light, warmth through the months and walls that can hold works in progress. The specifics of a project is what makes each studio personal and these specifics keep us engaged and excited about our craft!