LIVING SPACE: The open-plan living space maximises views over the garden and towards Dartmoor through expansive glass doors
STAIRCASE: Bespoke stairs, a grand piano, and carefully chosen fi nishes refl ect the owners’ personal style
HIGH POINT
The frame raising and topping out ceremony were real highlights, and we were allowed to ham- mer in a couple of the oak pegs ourselves.
beautiful garden Jo and Louise had created, with careful thought given to the topography and orientation, along with the relationship to the beech tree standing at the heart of the site,” explains Luke. “The solution was an L-shaped plan on a stepped ground fl oor level, ensuring each internal space would have a direct relationship with the garden and far reaching views.” With grown-up children and elderly relatives to consider, it was essential that the house could offer fl exibility enabling o and Louise to enjoy the space as a couple while also hosting multi-generational gatherings, with guest accommodation located in the single storey wing. Service spaces have been grouped together to maximise the effi ciency of plumbing and drainage. “We’re just outside the village development plan, but our garden isn’t overlooked at all,” says Jo. “There was an existing covenant on the property, though, which prevented another house from being built on the land, and it took several years of negotiating with the neighbour before an agreement was reached to lift the covenant.”
Once legal issues had been agreed and planning permission granted, Carpenter Oak could begin building the oak frame and the couple tendered to three building companies, choosing BroadOak Construction as their main contractor for the project. The site was cleared and the garden divided in two, with Jo and Louise keeping the two thirds of the land. “Early on, the decision was taken to invite Luke Sutton to oversee the whole project, as we were both working at the time,” says Louise. “He proved to be the most amazing diplomat, with
With grown- up children and elderly relatives to consider, it was essential that the house could offer fl exibility
incredible attention to detail.” The new house has been formed on a
reinforced concrete raft foundation, with a step in level to accommodate the split-level ground fl oor arrangement. The construction ethos was to create a natural, healthy, low carbon home for Jo and Louise, minimising the use of petrochemical materials. When the oak frame was ready, architect Luke took a day off to help with the raising, and over two days the frame was craned into position and constructed. “Watching the oak frame going up was incredible,” says Louise. “We’d been to Carpenter Oak’s yard to see it being made by the same team who came onsite to erect it. The carpenters’ marks are left visible on the frame, and we absolutely love those details.” A timelapse video captured the process and, in keeping with tradition, the youngest member of the framing team climbed up to fi x an oak branch to the ridge beam, followed by a celebratory glass of champagne. “It’s a lovely moment, the topping-out ceremony,” Jo adds.
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