Richard proposed that the new building had to evoke “that sort of industrial barn style, but not a traditional barn conversion.”


James. He’d seen a number of local buildings with similar traditional windows. For his own home, he wanted to use this idea to create some fi nesse and enrich the detail on the building. James sent Richard images of vernacular design he’d spotted on his travels in the local area. “That richness of detail and individuality that ames wanted was defi nitely something that the client brought to this project. nd the builder and his team had some fantastic artisan skills that brought out these details brilliantly.” Other traditional elements featured on the exterior of the house include the distinctive louvred oak vertical cladding, the limestone architrave surround for the front door, the exposed truss and exposed rafter feet under the roof, plus the Crittall-style heritage windows, salvaged clay tiles and slate all bring together genuine quality materials, Richard says. hen it came to energy effi ciency, the aim was


to create a high-performing building that would exceed Building Regulations requirements. fter considering various heating and hot water options, including an air source heat pump, ames decided to proceed with a high-effi ciency gas boiler. He has also installed a PV array on the south-facing roof.


chieving building control sign-off also


proved a long drawn-out process. “It’s not just a uestion of building control doing a fi nal inspection and supplying the certifi cate the following day,” Richards says. “There are many people involved in supplying the EPC following


air pressure tests, various certifi cations from suppliers on windows for fi re escape compliance, testing certifi cates on all plant and euipment. This can take weeks, if not months, to fi nalise, so can be stressful when you simply want to sign off the project.”


The only access road to the site, udley


Street, was barely a car width wide, and shared access with a neighbouring property, so this meant careful planning for the builders and deliveries. “There wasn’t another immediate location where highway access could be relocated,” Richard explains. “There were a number of other factors to juggle too. We were very mindful of adjacent neighbours; we wanted to screen the northern boundary for privacy, we needed to be respectful of the properties to the east and we needed to create a courtyard that would have opportunity to optimise southern and western light.” What is Richard’s advice for would-be self- builders considering the potential of similar challenging urban sites in their own towns, villages and cities? “Embrace the initial stage with all that excitement, but be aware that the process can grind it down,” he says. t’s important to fi nd ways to maintain that excitement and energy and fi nd an architect who is passionate about design opportunities and a good team, good quality builders with good reputations. nd be prepared for a long process planning can be awkward, but it’s defi nitely worth the long haul.”


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