CONTACTS/ SUPPLIERS
ROOFING Cupa (supplied by Tudors Building Supplies)
www.cupapizarras.com/uk
tudors.uk.com
ICF
Jackon (supplied by ICF Direct)
www.jackon-insulation.co.uk icfdirect.co.uk
TIMBER CLADDING Vincent Timber
www.vincenttimber.co.uk
INTERNAL TILES/FLOORING Mandarin Stone
www.mandarinstone.com
OAK FLOORING Lionvest Trading
www.lionvest.co.uk
– though he adds that this was certainly “one of the low points” in the build. Compared to his last project, which was a traditional build with a lot of oak, Mark describes the new house as far more contemporary, in fact it’s “drastically different.” He gives the architect the credit for the design, though he also did his own research, including visiting the National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC) in Swindon. Although the design is decidedly modern, they still made use of stone and timber, to help blend in with nearby listed properties. They discovered through the heritage consultant that the house on the site previously was built of stone, but had been poorly bricked over. “There was history, but it hadn’t retained any of its original character,” says Mark, which explains why it wasn’t listed. A large part of their planning application focused on referencing that history and restoring other parts of the site, such as a large pond. They reused all the stone from the old building, and discovered an 18th century stone path under the grass, the slabs from which they plan to use at a later date. Alongside this, they also found there were bats on the site, and had to make provision for them. Mark says it’s “not a major problem – the problem is the cost of all the reports, but sustaining wildlife is rightly given importance.” The expense of these ecology reports, along with those entailed in retaining materials and the hassle of having conservation consultants involved means the planning process for this project added up to “a horrendous challenge,” says Mark, “on another level to any of my previous projects.”
AN ICF BUILD With the planning process finally wrapped up on 7 June 2020, work was ready to begin on
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www.sbhonline.co.uk
demolishing the existing house in July. “It hadn’t been touched for 50 years,” Mark says. Despite the demolition work and cost involved – something Mark hadn’t had to factor in on his previous build – he says the services already running to the site helped balance it out. “Demolition isn’t a major problem; it doesn’t add a huge cost, not if you can reuse the material.”
Mark chose to use insulated concrete formwork (ICF) to build the house – polystyrene shells filled with concrete – something he hadn’t used previously but is now a big advocate for. “It should be used more. The house is so warm, you don’t need the heating on upstairs.” The insulation values and “relative simplicity” of the construction method were the main selling points for him.
Mark used an ICF specialist, and while they took care of installation, he project managed the rest of the build, including ordering supplies and arranging subcontractors. “It’s all cost and control,” he says. “You can hire a main contractor but you pay at least 25% more, and I don’t like the idea of having somebody controlling everything.” Having completed three projects previously, he says it’s got easier to manage each one. “You learn what materials you can get, what you can and can’t do,” he explains. “Once you understand what items are available it becomes much easier.” There was a slight incident when the concrete escaped in one area when it was being poured. “You have to let it run out then shovel it back in,” Mark explains. “It sounds simple but it’s a lot of work!” There were also complications when pouring concrete for the gable as gravity means it all wants to run to the bottom of the slope. “The gables were the most difficult thing to do,” he says. “We had to rectify some
STAIRS
Brights Joinery
brightsjoinery.com
WINDOWS & DOORS Eximia Glazing
eximiaglazing.co.uk
ROOFLIGHTS Velux
www.velux.co.uk
KITCHEN Nolte (supplied by Signature Interiors)
nolte-kuechen.com/en-gb
www.signatureinteriors.uk.com
LIGHTING Lutron (supplied by Worcester Electrical)
www.lutron.com
www.worcesterelectrical.co.uk
SOLAR PANELS Solar Kinetics
www.solarkinetics.co.uk
BATHROOMS Grohe / Lusso Stone (supplied by Signature Interiors)
www.grohe.co.uk www.lussostone.com
may/june 2022
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