CLPM regularly project manage new build homes of every type – from traditional townhouses and timber-framed barns to modern eco-houses.
This new build code 4 home in the Cotswolds is an example of how a building can be designed to quietly sit within its landscape whilst at the same time being an exceptional piece of modern architecture. Whilst the 400m2 structure is certainly substantial, the design is sympathetic to its surroundings and is very much in keeping with both the needs of the clients and the restrictions laid down by the local planning authority. When seen from a distance from most angles the house looks like a traditional Cotswold farmhouse, with a simple pitched slate roof, grey framed windows, and locally-sourced stone walls. It is only when the house is viewed from the South, the exterior of which is constructed almost entirely of glass, that the building becomes truly remarkable.
The house is built in an L shape, and includes a ground floor space with a garage linked with an open plan kitchen, dining area and separate drawing room. On the first floor are 3 very large en-suite bedrooms, 2 studies and a special self-contained annex which our client plans to use as her photographic studio.
The home is not just an attractive building. It has been designed and built to be very energy efficient. The house was constructed using a structural steel framework which has the advantage over other build methods in that it goes up very quickly. The timber walls were then constructed on-site, with high levels of insulation both internally and externally together with breather membranes, and this sandwich of materials was then faced externally with stone cladding. The windows are triple glazed with a double layering of UV reflection to reduce solar gain and hence avoid the property overheating. The rooms are heated via underfloor heating which is run by an air source heat pump.
It’s important to note that all of the construction detailing has also been designed to give a high level of insulation and air tightness. Airtightness of a building is also known as ‘air permeability’ and when measured is referred to as the buildings air leakage rate. Air leakage can occur through gaps, holes and cracks in the fabric of the building structure, or envelope, which are not always visible so care must be taken with construction on-site. Air leakage affects the building’s performance and is one of the key areas in meeting or exceeding Building Regulations Part L standards for low carbon buildings, Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM. Making a building airtight reduces the amount of fuel needed to heat it, which in turn reduces the CO2 produced, reduces your carbon footprint and your energy bills. Our clients have built their home to achieve an energy efficiency performance meeting Level 4 Code for Sustainable Homes – a significant improvement on what is required by building regulations.
We have been working with our clients since 2015 when they were in the early planning stages of their project. Initially our role was to help them to work up the detail of their designs and develop a fully costed budget plan. Our cost advice team then carried out a competitive tender and helped with contractor appointment. We went onsite last summer and are now supporting the client overseeing the works being carried out by their contractor via project management.
The following images show the build as it has rapidly progressed over the last 9 months.
July 2016 foundations down, followed by August 2016 where the structural steel frame is in place.
September 2016 the timber walls are in place, followed in October 2016 by the installation of wooden insulated walls.
November 2016 close-up of exterior stone-clad wall with insulation detailing, even with Christmas shut-down by January 2017 this was complete.
February 2017 triple- glazed ‘wall of glass’ installed and by March 2017 the roof was slate-tiled and 2nd fix was well underway.
May 2017 – scaffolding down, 2nd fix and landscaping well underway
We are now in the final stages of the construction project and hope to complete the build early this summer.
Are you planning a major new build project in London or the South East then why not get in touch? If you need a construction project manager to project manage your new build home then we’d love to hear from you.
Call 01923 896550 or email us at info@cl-pm.com and find out how we can help make your building project dreams a reality.
