i-build May 2015 by Red Hut Media Ltd

May

i-build

Issue 10

www.i-buildmagazine.com

i-build i-nterior i-scape

VIBRANT VISION London extension creates colourful statement

SOLAR FLAIR

UK overtakes Germany as largest European market for solar power

COVER STORY:

Weathered beauty

ARCHITECTURAL EXPERIMENT

Stunning contemporary self-build situated within World Heritage Site

Derelict gasworks transformed into sensational annex

EXPERT INSIGHTS:

l FINANCIAL l LEGAL l PRACTICAL l PRODUCT INNOVATION

Download the i-build app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search 'i-build'.

Cover story: A Gloucestershire extension project incorporates the refurbishment of a derelict gasworks. See page 28.

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i-build i-nterior i-scape Editor:

Emily Smith

emily@mixedmediainfo.com Print & Digital Advertising:

Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Steve Gull

steve@mixedmediainfo.com

Martin Hughes

martin@mixedmediainfo.com Studio Manager:

Chris Lilly

chris@mixedmediainfo.com Senior Editor:

Hannah Frackiewicz

hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Production:

Jack Witcomb

jack@mixedmediainfo.com Artworker/Sub-editor:

David Perry

david@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts:

Simone Jones

simone@mixedmediainfo.com Managing Director:

Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Welcome to the May issue of i-build

ustainability and energy efficiency are at the core of so many new projects, but is this down to the self-build industry’s environmental concern or money saving ambitions? This month’s i-scape discusses what’s next for an industry that has embraced green living to such a degree that it is now a driver and leader in green building techniques and technologies. Whether the renewable revolution is down to a growing eco-consciousness or merely motivations to reap the benefits of the RHI, a determination for eco-efficiency has pushed the UK to the forefront of global domestic sustainable efforts. As presented in this month’s Green Living, the UK is now the largest market for solar power in Europe – a phenomenal achievement for our small island. See page 14 for more information. This issue is full of projects that have fully embraced sustainable design. A Gloucestershire extension project has specificed materials based on their sustainable credentials – from recycled CorTen steel to ethically sourced timber. Read the full story on page 28. Elsewhere, this month’s Urban Sanctuary presents a new home with a strong energy agenda. Richard Murphy’s breathtaking architectural masterpiece includes a ground source heat pump, rainwater harvesting, solar power and a grey water system, all integrated within an innovative building structure that celebrates architectural heritage and colourful combinations. With summer just around the corner, bold colours have returned to nature and seasonal trends are encouraging them into our homes. I-nterior, starting on page 46, presents a family who has not shied away from bold mixing of colours in their new home extension. If you are seeking guidance on how to bring en vogue vibrance into your home, don’t miss our tropical inspiration page within this month’s Desired Designs. As always, we hope you enjoy your May issue of i-build as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. If you are coming to the end of your self-build journey and would like to offer your home as an inspiration for other budding self-builders, please contact me on the usual address with a brief overview of your project and you might see your home in an upcoming issue of i-build magazine.

Emily Smith Editor emily@mixedmediainfo.com @ibuildmagazine

/ibuildmagazine

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Editor’s picks Pear Platt, Woodfalls Farm, Gravelly Way Laddingford, Kent, ME18 6DA T: 01622 873229 F: 01622 320020

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Cladding by Dura Composites: See page 56

Bi-folding doors by Solarlux: See page 61

Gas hobs by Smeg: See page 62

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The latest innovative on-trend designs to complement any interior.

Will Tell 12 Time Each issue i-build follows Will Anderson on

i-build

his self-build journey as it unfolds.

www.i-buildmagazine.com

i-build i-nterior i-scape

Desired Designs

Contents

Green Living

Viewpoint

Contracts & Legalities

Urban Sanctuary

Sustainable Living

Drainage & Plumbing

Bathroom

Daniel Roca investigates why the UK has become the largest European market for solar power. Self-build finance expert, Rachel Pyne gives advice on your financial obligations once a project is finished. How to benefit from the Community Infrastructure Levy self-build exemption. After an established career as an architect, Richard Murphy has finally fulfilled the dream of building his own home. A Gloucestershire home extension project incorporates the refurbishment of a derelict gasworks. Everything you need to know about finding and fixing the potentially lethal problem of lead piping. With an increasingly aging population, it has never been so important to create bathrooms suitable for all ages.

40 Roofing Picking a rooflight may seem a simple task, but

have you considered all the options from thermal efficiency to cost and maintenance?

42 i-build Why SAP assessments have highlighted the

importance of Y-values and how they can be used to save money and improve efficiency.

46 i-nterior A London extension project uses bold shapes and

colours to create the perfect family home.

i-scape How to fill your home and garden with plants without using a single traditional planter pot.

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Desired Designs

Royal welcome Use royal blues to turn your home into a palace fit for a king. 1 2

6 7

he colour blue has been used for art, decoration and clothing dye since ancient times. Blue has been used throughout history within church decorations – from mosaics in Byzantine churches to stain glass windows of the Middle Ages. It was King Louis IX of France that became the first King to regularly dress in blue. Once this was the colour of the King it became the hue of the most wealthy and powerful people throughout Europe in the thirteenth century. Royal blue as we recognise it today is said to have been invented by millers in Rode, Somerset, who were a consortium that won a competition to make a dress for Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – wife of King George III – in this striking shade.

1. House by John Lewis Cast Iron Round Casserole dish in Blue, £65, John Lewis

2. Ombre Blue Clear Cut Glass, £12.50, John Lewis

3. Out of the Dark Wood &

Metal Paint, £26, Myland Paints

4. Eleanor Dark Blue Rug, £249, Living It Up

5. Nixon Azure and Sparrow Cushion, £25, Habitat

6. Spa Cobalt Beaker, £7, Habitat

7. Spa Colbolt Toilet Brush, £20, Habitat

8. Mason Bed, £319, Mini Eden 9. Blue Bubble Chair,

£585, Out There Interiors

Desired Designs

The great outdoors

Peaceful retreat Create a luxurious, secluded outdoor living space in your own garden with this multipurpose geodesic dome. Either a winter garden or summer canopy, the design is totally weatherproof, retaining heat in the winter and blocking UV rays in the warmer months. Prices start at £649. (www.englishabode.com)

Jazz up your garden to make the most of warmer days and lighter evenings. 3

Playful design You’re never too old to enjoy a garden swing! The Nautical Swing Chair by Mut Design for Exporim comes with an optional base if you don’t happen to have a sturdy tree nearby! The Nautical pays homage to one of the first pieces created by Exporim in the 1970s and despite its visual lightness, is surprisingly sturdy. (www.gomodern.com)

Outdoor accessories We love Danish brand Caneline’s beautiful outdoor range of accessories, including rugs, hand-knitted footstools and pastel side tables. These items would complement any space and are suitable for both indoors and out. (www.gomodern.co.uk)

Summer nights

Make the most of warm evenings with outdoor lighting that is both practical and pleasing to look at. The Broste Copenhagen Lanterns from Scandinavian Shop are not only beautiful, but also won’t break the bank with prices starting at £17.95. (www.scandinavianshop.co.uk)

Cosy comforts A fireplace on your lounge or patio will prolong your garden enjoyment. The Barro outdoor fireplace available from Garden House Design can be positioned freely and is equipped with an ashtray or ash bucket with a safety laminated back. It can even be placed under a canopy, porch or conservatory. (www.gardenhousedesign.co.uk)

Al fresco cooking

Stylish statements

One-Q outdoor kitchen combinations allow you to create your very own luxury outdoor kitchen. The design has many design options, from dual cooking to accessories such as sink units, ice bowls, grills, worktops, kebab pins, shelves and more! (www.gardenhousedesign.co.uk)

Your home displays your style preference and the garden is no exception to this. With the Vincent Sheppard Roy Cocoon Garden Lounge Chair you can bring the rattan chairs of the fifties to your terrace. The seat is made of recyclable resin for total waterproofing and is UV protected. (www.vivalagoon.com)

Desired Designs

Club Tropicana

Invite summer into your home using bright botanical prints, jungle inspired designs and exotic colours. 2 3 4

6 5

Amy Sia Cushion Collection, £70

he tropical trend is back with a vengeance this summer with shops full of extravagant tropical motifs and exotic colourways. From palm leaves and flamingos to Caribbean colours and cockatoos, there are plenty of fabrics, furniture and accessories available that appeal to this fun trend. Whether you opt for patterns involving exotic fruits or birds of paradise, this bright and bold fashion will certainly inject vibrancy and warmth into your home. This trend is all about embracing daring clashes alongside natural materials such as bamboo, hardwood flooring and rattan furniture. To take a more subtle approach to this trend, use colours such as emerald and lime green alongside terracotta, coral and sunny yellow in bold blocks to create a tropical look without the use of strong fabric or wallpaper patterns.

1. Jungle Like,

£78.50 per metre, JAB

2. Lagoon Wooden Clock, £14.99, Arthouse

3. Lagoon Wallcovering Soft Blue, £16.99, Arthouse

4. Parrot Lampshade, £70, Etsy

5. NewWave Caffe Flamingo Mug, £19.95, Villeroy & Boch

6. Wigwam Hot Pink Mint Cushion, £39, Curio & Curio

7. Amazonia Anmut Teapot, £158, Villeroy & Boch

8. Amazonia Anmut Deep Plate, £54.90, Villeroy & Boch

9. Storyteller Sofa,

£3245, Parker & Farr

10. Trippy Granny Bedspread,

£145, The French Bedroom Company

DESIGNED FOR BUSINESS

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Sub-brow TimeEyebrow Will Tell

Saving energy and making it Each month we follow Will Anderson as his self-build journey unfolds. This month he gets busy with insulation and solar panels.

‘F

abric first’ is a popular slogan among determined eco-builders. This doesn’t mean that you should choose your curtains before you’ve decided whether to go for timber frame or brick and block construction. Rather, it means that you should prioritise keeping the heat in, by spending money on a super-insulated and airtight building fabric, before you start splurging on fancy renewable-energy-generating kit like solar panels and heat pumps. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t do both. In fact, if you’ve got the money, doing both will give you the best results in the long-term. This month we filled the deep timber-fame walls of The Orchard with insulation then, two days later, commissioned the photovoltaic panels on the roof. This combination of ultra-efficient building fabric and on-site electricity generation should mean that our annual bills are very close to zero. The insulation was definitely the bigger job. We used Warmcel, made from recycled newspapers, which was supplied and pumped into the walls by PYC Systems. Warmcel is a good product for

timber frame new builds such as ours because it comes as a pulp and fills up all the cavities in the frame regardless of all the pipes and cables already in there. It gets pumped in under pressure, so inevitably the job is incredibly messy as the grey mulch kicks back and flies everywhere. It took three days to complete the job. First, I took delivery of a mountain of insulation, which I stacked up on the street in front of the site. Then the three-man team from PYC arrived from midWales with a van stuffed full of flexible plastic pipe. The pipe was unravelled and one end fitted to the hopper in the van which digested the bales of insulation. The other end of the pipe was pushed through holes cut in the plasterboard that lines the timber frame walls and ceilings, and the pump was switched on. After each cavity was stuffed full of insulation, the pipe was removed and the holes in the plasterboard repaired by clipping the little disks back in, ready for a plaster skim coat. The whole process wasn’t quite as easy as this sounds – there were some tricky corners and cavities – but the effect was immediate. Even without any heating installed, the building felt a lot warmer.

Left: The amount of insulation delivered looked impressive when stacked in front of the self-build Above: Warmcel insulation has been pumped into the walls

Our photovoltaic solar panels are definitely the high-tech cherry on our otherwise low-tech cake. They were commissioned by ICB, who installed the panels at the end of March, just before the value of the feed-in tariff fell on the 1st April. This tariff is the money we get paid for all the energy we generate, so we now have a solar-powered building site that is making us money, though only at about one hundredth of the speed that we are spending it to get the house built. Unfortunately solar panels do not perfectly complement a super-insulated house because they start to really kick in just when we no longer need any active heating inside the building. But this doesn’t matter too much as we can just export our surplus to the Grid, then buy it back in the dark days of winter when the sun barely rises. There’s still a long way to go but with insulated walls and a fully functioning roof, I can begin to think about final finishes. Not that I’ll be picking out curtains any time soon.

www.buildingtheorchard.com

FLOORING FOR YOUR OPEN PLAN SPACE

Karndean Designflooring answer your questionsâ&#x20AC;Ś

We are close to completing our self build project and need a floor that will work with underfloor heating in our kitchen diner. What would you recommend?

Karndean LooseLay

With an innovative friction grip backing, Karndean LooseLay is quick and easy to install. Perfect for fitting over most existing hard floors.

For a floor that can be laid quickly and is compatible with underfloor heating, we'd recommend Karndean LooseLay. Designed to work with underfloor heating systems, Karndean LooseLay can withstand temperatures up to 27Â°C.

Stamford LLP109

As an added bonus, it's also quick and easy to install. So if you're running out of time on your project, this could really help buy you some time back. All you need is a dry, smooth, sound and dust-free subfloor and you're ready to go. As with any flooring, we recommend checking with your retailer and/or heating system's manufacturer to ensure your chosen system is compatible with Karndean. Colorado LLT201

We've just invested in a flat which we intend to rent out. I'm cautious about laying a carpet, but we need something that can be laid quickly as the tenants are moving in at the end of the month. What would you suggest?

Do you have a question for Karndean? Email us at questions@karndean.co.uk

The rental market is a great place to be investing at the minute. Installing a floor which is both hardwearing and easy to repair makes complete sense. We would recommend looking at Karndean LooseLay. With wood planks and stone and textile tiles to choose from this latest range from Karndean offers a 15 year residential guarantee. What's even better is that if a tenant does damage a section of floor, that area can easily be lifted out and replacement pieces dropped in. No mess, no fuss. Good luck in your new venture!

Like us on Facebook /karndeandesignflooring See Karndean LooseLay for yourself at

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Green Living

Here comes the sun Last year, the UK became the largest European market for solar power, overtaking Germany, which had previously held the top spot for European solar installations for 18 of the last 19 years. Here, Daniel Roca, UK county manager at Panasonic Eco Solutions Europe, explains why.

he predominant reason for the UK’s rise up the solar ranks is due to the exponential growth in utility-scale solar – large solar farms that generate electricity for thousands of homes throughout the year. Alongside this, the UK continues to install increasing numbers of domestic solar systems, particularly among self-builders, with over 600,000 homes now generating solar energy to meet their everyday energy needs. Installing a solar system upon a home, be it new-build or retrofit, is making increasing financial sense for homeowners. The Government-led Feed-in Tariff scheme, introduced in 2011, pays homeowners for every kWh of electricity they generate through their solar system. Additionally, any surplus or additional units of energy generated but not used by the homeowner can be sold back to their electricity provider for an export tariff of 4.77p per kWh. The other half of the financial equation for

homeowners is the immediate savings to be made on their monthly electricity bills. With electricity prices continuing to rise, solar system homeowners are able to reduce their dependency from the national grid and consequentially make significant reductions on their energy bills – a key point for progressive self-builders. Importantly, the cost of solar over the last five years has, and continues to diminish with system prices 60% of their cost just four years ago. This, combined with technology improvements in solar panel efficiency, and now standard 20- to 25-year panel guarantees, make solar an ever-attractive proposition for self-builders. While the financial implications and benefits of installing solar can seem complex, a number of services have been launched to help potential solar users fully understand these issues, such as Panasonic’s virtual solar platform that provides users with a clear estimate of how much of their day-to-day needs can be powered by a solar system, the financial earnings they can expect and

Above: Over 600,000 UK homes now generate solar energy

the investment required to go solar. An equally important reason for the rise in popularity of solar for self-builders is its compatibility with other forms of clean energy generation now widely available to UK consumers. When designing and constructing homes, self-builders can install and pair solar with other energy technologies, such as solar thermal and heat pumps, to ultimately become as energy independent as possible. With energy storage technology set to become both commercially and ever-more financially viable in the next three to five years, self-builders will soon have an additional energy component to adopt into new homes to become 100% free from the national grid. Finally, one of the fastest-growing and influential factors for self-builders is sustainability – designing and building a home that is both suited to their lifestyle and environmentally friendly. There is an ever-growing importance for such elements as building materials, insulation, water use and drainage, lighting and energy to be ecofriendly for the benefit of the environment and to lower the homeowner’s energy consumption, making solar a vital part of the modern selfbuilder’s agenda.

www.panasonic.com

Viewpoint

Nearing completion – what next for your finances? Completing your build not only brings an element of satisfaction and achievement but it also signifies a new chapter in your financial obligations. Here, Rachel Pyne, Group Sales Director of BuildStore Ltd provides advice on what to do next.

ike the majority of self-builders and renovators in the UK, you will no doubt have sourced specialist funding for the duration of your build. Whether funds were released as arrears or advancestage payments, you will have subscribed to specific terms and an interest rate that was probably higher than traditional high-street mortgage offers. Once you complete your build and are overjoyed with reaping the benefits of your efforts, you must not get complacent where financial commitments are concerned. At the time of writing this article, interest rates are at historic lows and the arrival of new lenders into the market make it highly competitive and attractive to those reviewing their mortgage arrangements. With variable rates almost halving over the past twelve months and cheap fixed rate deals, now is the time to consider taking advantage of these opportunities. However, we are also in the throws of preelection pledges and promises which could see anything from continued low mortgage rates and low borrowing costs to enhanced spending plans and higher borrowing costs. Whatever the outcome, we strongly advise that an initial discussion with your financial adviser is conducted, preferably at least three months in advance of build completion, to ascertain the best possible onward financial solution that meets your individual requirements. Dependant on your self-build mortgage lender, you may be allowed to switch

rate on completion – move onto a lower high street rate which could potentially save money each month. Additionally there may be a tie-in for two to three years, a switching fee or in best case scenario, be able to switch for free. There is common belief that switching mortgage providers is complex and causes hassle with many thinking it much easier to ‘stick with what you know’. In addition to providing specialist self-build mortgage solutions, BuildStore operate a ‘whole of market’ policy. Our team of qualified, knowledgeable advisers are able to identify the best market rates for customers and ensure a smooth onward financial solution. For some, this moment presents an opportunity to explore additional options whilst for others the familiarity of reverting to a previously-held mortgage arrangement is desirable. Take Oxfordshire self-builder Graham Garner. He was keen to move onto a previously held offset mortgage with Barclays upon build completion. However, when his application was declined, Graham turned to BuildStore for advice and assistance: “To my delight, BuildStore worked on my behalf, liaised with the Bank and came up with the goods – I now have a Barclays offset tracker mortgage, which is exactly what I wanted!” Whatever stage you are at, we strongly recommend that you consult with a specialist financial adviser to get a clear and concise picture of your financial obligations and future security.

www.buildstore.co.uk

Factors that can influence a review of your mortgage arrangements include: • If you have more disposable income and wish to review protection, for example if you remained in your previous house during your build and have subsequently sold that property. • Early completion repayment charges. • Over-running on build schedule as this may affect mortgage protection.

Above: Discuss your self-build financial commitments with a financial advisor Right: Be sure to make use of the current low interest rates

Viewpoint Top tips for onward borrowing: 1. Always keep a close eye on your build budget and identify the difference between necessity and luxury. For example, ‘high spec’ features can be introduced upon completion in a more favourable financial situation. 2. Identify your new outgoings – the introduction of eco measures will have a substantial, beneficial effect on your finances. 3. Talk to a financial adviser at least three months before build completion, workmanship, materials or components. 4. Review your mortgage arrangements at least once a year.

Contracts & Legalities

All self-build projects are exempt from paying the CIL charge – read about the McClintock’s selfbuild home at i-buildmagazine.com

Self-build support The Government is keen to support and encourage individuals and communities who want to build their own homes and is taking proactive steps to stimulate the growth of the self-build market.

ot only are self-builders able to make money via the Renewable Heat Incentive, but they are also able to save money by being exempt from some of the fees that home developers and homebuyers face. One measure to help self-builders has been to grant them an exemption from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The CIL is a planning charge that was originally introduced by the Planning Act of 2008. It is applied by councils when someone secures planning permission for most types of new building. Different councils charge different levels of CIL, and some don’t charge it at all. The money raised by the CIL charge is used to fund a wide range of local infrastructure costs – such as flood defences, schools, hospitals and other health and social care facilities, parks, green spaces and leisure centres. Any new build house – or an extension of more than 100m2 of gross internal floor space – is likely to incur a CIL charge, where a council has introduced the CIL regime.

In February 2014 the legislation was passed for self-builders not to pay the CIL charge – this has been in effect since March 2014. This exemption applies to anyone who is building their own home or has commissioned a home from a contractor, house builder or subcontractor. Individuals claiming the exemption must own the property and occupy it as their principal residence for a minimum of three years after the work is completed.

Your CIL exemption application When you secure planning permission for your project your local authority may impose a CIL. This will be set out in a Liability Notice which you will receive from the local authority. There are two forms to complete to be exempt from this charge – one before work starts and another within six months of completing the project. You will need to complete a Self Build Exemption Claim Form (part one) before any building work takes place. It is recommended that you complete the form when you apply for planning permission. This declares that

The four documents to submit for part two of your Self Build Exemption Form are: 1. Proof that you own the property from the Land Registry. 2. Completion Certificate from the Council or registered inspector. 3. Proof of building occupation as your main home via Council Tax certificate or two further proofs of occupation in your name. 4. Documentation of either a HMRC VAT refund, a self-build mortgage or a selfbuild warranty.

you are a bona fide self-builder who will live in the completed home for at least three years. It is crucial that you don’t start construction work before submitting the exemption form, because even starting preliminary work – such as digging foundations – will make the form void and you will have to pay the CIL. Once your project is finished, you will have to complete a Self Build Exemption Claim Form (part two) within six months. You will need to supply four documents that once more confirm you as a bona fide self-builder. If you sell the property before living there for three years you will have to pay the charge. All forms are available from the Government Planning Portal.

www.nacsba.org.uk

Urban Sanctuary

Urban Sanctuary Left: The triangular gable end is clad in louvres with a background of lead and glazing Above: Richard's home has a strong sustainable agenda

Homage R vs heritage

In 2012 Richard Murphy pursued every architect’s dream of building his own home as both an architectural and environmental experiment.

ichard Murphy is a celebrated architect, recognised academic authority within his field and proud owner of an OBE. Since founding his own architecture practice in 1991, Richard Murphy Architects has won nineteen RIBA awards – more than any other practice in Scotland. In 2012 Richard set out to design and build a home for his own use. This project is a very rare example of the construction of a contemporary house within the World Heritage Site of the New Town of Edinburgh. New Town is a central area of Scotland’s capital, often celebrated for its original neo-classical and Georgian period architecture and considered to be a masterpiece of city planning.

Urban Sanctuary The modest plot is approximately half a garden in the open space between the back of houses on Forth Street and the gable end of houses on Hart Street. The junction between these two streets is in an unplanned part of New Town where two estates meet, with an unsightly gable end to the west side of Hart Street. The design needed to resolve the issues of space, become a bookend to the gable end and be a beacon for contemporary design within a World Heritage Site as well as continuing the same facade stonework pattern of the adjacent properties. Although the design proposal was recommended refusal by Edinburgh City Council Planning Department, in a highly unusual decision, Councillors

voted nine to four to reject the planning advice and to allow the construction to go ahead. Richard explains: “The site on Hart Street is unique – sitting on the boundary of two historic estates in Edinburgh’s Old Town, which had developed at the same time but without coordination. It has been a fantastic – and at times frustrating – experience designing a building that solves the issues of the site and that is laid out exactly as I want my home to be.”

Contemporary integration Maximising the use of space was key. Although the home has a modest floor area of 165m2 on a footprint of 11 x 6m, it contains three bedrooms, an open plan living/

Above left: The stonework echoes that of the adjacent property

Urban Sanctuary Above: The home needed to be contemporary at the same time as complementing the surrounding buildings Above right: Glass blocks echo the shape of brickwork Right: Little corner windows reinterpret the idea of coin stones

dining/kitchen area at varying levels, study, basement, garage, utility room and roof terrace. Richard set out to demonstrate how contemporary design might contribute to a historical location. The gable end would traditionally not have been exposed, therefore the house has become a bookend to complete this unresolved corner. The house also had to be careful to preserve the privacy and views of the sky from the adjacent apartment, which contributed to this bookend section. The gable end is a triangular element floating over a horizontal window. This section is clad in louvres with a background of lead and glazing. The stonework has been concentrated to either end of the elevation to balance the more delicate, central elements.

Â&#x2020; 23

Urban Sanctuary

Left: Richard has not been shy with his interior design palette Below: The bookcase echoes the exterior brickwork Opposite: Extensive glazing brings both light and interest to the property

The stone itself remains divided into striated ashlar below and smooth ashlar above. There are little corner windows which pick up and reinterpret the idea of coin stones. These are then coordinated with the interior via a bookcase – an idea that continues onto the northern elevation. The central section consists of a glass block and timber garage door at ground level, a sliding window, stone classing and movable louvres.

Energy agenda Another key concern for the new home was sustainability. The roof consists of photovoltaic cells and absorbs heat through substantial south-facing glazing. Beneath this are mechanised insulated shutters allowing the glass to generate heat when open, but prevent the windows from radiating heat when closed. A computerised internal air circulation system takes warm air from the top of the house to the basement via a gravel rock store to produce a delayed heat source for evening use. The main heating source for the house is a 150m deep ground source borehole connecting to a heat exchanger which feeds underfloor heating. There is no gas in the house and all the major windows have insulated shutters. Heat is also extracted from the flue of a log burning stove to pre-heat hot water. Rainwater – which follows a course of pools and waterfalls on the roof terrace – finds it way to grey-water storage tanks in the basement, which is then used to flush toilets. The tanks also supply a sprinkler system.

Urban Sanctuary

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Urban Sanctuary Above: The work of Carlo Scarpa has greatly influenced Richard's home – especially within the terrace design Right: This tiling has been sourced from Venice

Architectural influences Richard sought design inspiration from the architects that have shaped his academic career. He is an authority on the work of Carlo Scarpa, so the roof terrace is a homage to the garden of the Querini Stampalia in Venice using the same exposed aggregate walls and sourcing tiles from Scarpa’s original manufacturer in Venice. Internally, the Venetian ‘stucco lucido’ coloured plasterwork is used extensively. The Sir John Soane Museum and Maison de Verre are also great influences in the use of illusion and moving elements. Reitveld’s Schroder house makes an appearance in a ‘disappearing corner’ stone panel opening, designed to be the same proportions as his famous window. When asked about the inspiration behind the design, Richard adds: “It is a quarter Soane, a quarter Scarpa, a quarter eco-house and, referring to all the proposed moving parts, a quarter Wallace and Gromit.” Richard was delighted to move into his new home earlier this year. He concludes: “Prince Charles once asked me if I lived in a house that I designed, and I was fortunate enough to be able to respond positively. Many architects aspire to design a house for themselves, but never have the chance to find the right plot or the means to buy it. To be able to specify every aspect of your own home is a once in a lifetime opportunity that few people achieve and I would absolutely recommend it if you get the chance.”

www.richardmurphyarchitects.com

Sustainable Living 28

Weathered beauty A Gloucestershire extension project has incorporated the refurbishment of a derelict gasworks, transforming it into a sensational contemporary annex for the nineteenth century home.

Sustainable Living

hen this nineteenth century stone cottage gained a new owner with a passion for restoring derelict buildings, the homeowner hoped to convert the dilapidated gasworks that stood just behind his home into a useful living space. Situated within a quiet, rural Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the gasworks was built in 1877. With the industrial revolution transforming society, gas began to be manufactured in England in 1812. Small gasworks such as this one provided gas for lighting country houses. Victorian gasholders were large cylindrical vessels constructed from various materials, including steel and wrought iron. In the early twentieth century the development of local gas mains, alternative gas making apparatus and the widespread growth of electricity pushed the use of small gasworks into extinction. This particular Gloucestershire gasworks, located by a quiet, minor road, was severely rundown. The homeowner employed Chris Dyson Architects to transform the space into a large house that met both his current and future needs. From the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inception, the brief for the new building focused on the need to reduce the overall environmental impact during the construction process, as well as meeting the future demands for heating and electricity. While preserving and giving new life to the existing cottage, Chris Dyson Architects knew the cottage would require additional space to suit future needs of living, so the studio adopted a Cotswold Typology of the 'Barn' to form a new contemporary single storey extension without over developing the cottage. The renovated rusty steel barn is clad in CorTen steel because this is one of the most recycled building materials available. The use of steel also pays homage to the gasworksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; history and heritage. The steel envelope sits on a sustainably sourced timber frame and recognises the building's industrial past, while creating a striking contrast to the main building. The new annex is deliberately distinct from its surroundings, but the creative use of materials and massing works gently with the landscape, encircling

Â&#x2020;

Left: The property sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Sustainable Living

Top left: CorTen steel creates the desired weathered look Left: The cylindrical shape echoes that of the original gasworks

Sustainable Living an external courtyard. Harry Whittaker, Principal Partner of Chris Dyson Architects, comments: “We looked for a contrasting material which would create a strong patina with time. It is a very recyclable material as steel is one of the most recycled building materials available and retains an extremely high

overall recycling rate. In 2012 this stood at 88%.” The finished space is a 120m2 single storey annex with a circular tower element which recalls the former gas storage cylinder on the site. The tower is now home to home office study spaces. Insulation to both walls and the roof is taken to a higher level than is

Above: The extension is a contrast to the original stone cottage

Sustainable Living

required under the building regulations and is made up of Warmcell Insulation. This product is manufactured from recycled waste paper which is converted to a green, eco-friendly high performance insulation. The architect’s vision was to adopt a Gloucestershire styled annex with a contemporary look that didn’t interfere with the nineteenth century cottage. The annex is therefore accessed by a link from the kitchen of the cottage and becomes a corridor connecting the en-suite bedrooms. Each bedroom is arranged to create a horseshoe, forming a courtyard around the back of the building

Stunning vista Inside the annex, a glazed portico links four bedrooms with private services. Each room enjoys spectacular views onto the natural woodland. Large windows on the roof flood the interior with daylight. Chris Dyson Architects embraced the homeowner’s culture of sustainability by applying the most efficient techniques offered by building performance science. Passive ventilation, a biomass boiler room, rain water harvesting systems and solar power panels dramatically reduce the environmental impact

Left: The gasworks was built in 1877 Right: Rooflights work well in the slanted roof Below: The rooms in the cylindrical area are going to work as a home office Below right: Full height glazing makes the most of the surrounding view

Sustainable Living

of the development. Heating is supplied via an external air source heat pump, which supplies heat to the underfloor heating system. Although not a truly renewable source of heating the system does significantly reduce the electrical demand to the building. This results in a lower home carbon emission which, along with the photovoltaic panels fitted to the roof, means that the electrical demand is significantly lower than a conventional home. Harry adds: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This project has been fascinating in terms of tying together issues of sustainability, adaptation and alteration to a historic industrial structure and building within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the heart of the Cotswolds.â&#x20AC;? This project is a valuable addition to Gloucestershireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prestigious building stock. It brings an imaginative, yet sensitive, redevelopment of the site with a scheme that champions the concept of sustainability in the area.

www.chrisdyson.co.uk

Above: CorTen steel is one of the most recycled building materials available Above right: The annex is a contrast to the nineteenth century cottage Above left: Chris Dyson Architects incorporated many sustainable elements into the design

Left: The project aimed to not overdevelop the cottage

Sub-brow Drainage & Plumbing Eyebrow

Lead up the garden path People these days who come across a lead pipe are probably in the Conservatory with Colonel Mustard, playing ‘Cluedo’. However, if you find lead in a plumbing system it’s nothing to joke about.

s water passes through lead piping, pieces of lead can break away from the pipes and dissolve. If consumed, lead can build up in the body, affecting mental development and behaviour. In extreme cases, drinking this contaminated water over a prolonged period has caused lead poisoning. Those most at risk are infants, children and pregnant women. For this reason, new installation of lead pipes was banned when water supply byelaws were revised in the late eighties. Already-

installed lead pipes are allowed to remain in use provided they don’t cause lead in drinking water to exceed the permitted amount of 10 micrograms per litre.

Checking for lead If your house was built after 1980 it is very unlikely that lead pipes were used. Before 1970, lead was used in some parts of the UK for the underground service pipes connecting the water main to premises and for distributing water within them. The part of the service pipe owned by the water company is called the communication pipe

– typically from the water main to the stopvalve at the boundary of the property. The remaining part of the service pipe from the stopvalve into the building is called the supply pipe. To check for lead pipes, look first where the water pipe enters the house. This is usually at the stoptap which may be under the kitchen sink. Unpainted lead pipes are normally dark grey or black in colour and show a silvery colour if scratched. Even if they are painted, you may be able to tell because they are usually larger diameter than copper or plastic pipes and have a characteristic swollen joint where they meet other pipes.

Sub-brow Drainage & Plumbing Eyebrow

Left: Lead pipes are normally dark grey or black and show a silvery colour when scratched

If metal pipes are gently tapped with a metal object, lead pipes give a ‘dull’ sound rather than the clearer ringing sound from copper or iron pipes. If you suspect you have lead pipes you can ask your water supplier to check your tap water for its lead content.

What if I find lead pipes? If you discover lead piping, as a temporary precaution, only use water from the kitchen cold tap for drinking and cooking purposes. Water from the hot system may dissolve more metals from the plumbing materials and is not recommended for these uses. The longer water stands in the pipes the more lead may dissolve into the water. If it is more than 30 minutes since the tap was last used, flush the tap before taking water for drinking or cooking. To avoid waste you should use the water you flush out for another purpose. The amount you need to flush depends on the length of lead pipe present, but a full washing up bowl – nine litres or two gallons – should be enough. The water should be run at a brisk rate, but not fast enough to cause undue splashing. Flushing is only a temporary remedy. Medical authorities, water suppliers and regulators recommend all lead pipes should be removed when upgrading the supply to existing premises or refurbishing premises internally. If samples show that lead exceeds the permitted limit in drinking water, the source of this lead must be traced and removed. Some water suppliers have lead replacement programmes which may assist customers to replace their lead pipes. If you are

replacing all the lead pipes for which you’re responsible and water samples show the amount of lead in your drinking water exceeds 10 micrograms per litre, you can request the water supplier to replace any lead in its communication pipe and by law they must do so.

Use of lead solder The use of lead-based solder for joining copper pipe and fittings in plumbing systems which are used to supply water for domestic or food production purposes is prohibited by the Water Supply Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws. This is because when soldering, it is possible for solder to run inside the pipe and remain in contact with the water after the joint has been made. Where this has happened with lead-based solders in the past, lead in the exposed solder has dissolved into the water, making it unsafe to drink in a few cases. Lead-based solders can only be used legally for systems like the closed loop circuits of central heating systems where the water doesn’t come into contact with people. There have been examples where plumbers have ignored this legal requirement and used lead solder for drinking water systems. The water suppliers who enforce the Water Fittings Regulations have made them remake all incorrectly soldered joints with the correct leadfree solder, at the plumbers’ own cost. Further information about solders is available in the water industry leaflet ‘Approved Installation Method 9-0402 Use of solders and fluxes’ free from the WRAS website.

Above: It is dangerous if water contains a lead content of more than 10 micrograms per litre Below: The division of the service pipe into the communication and supply pipes at the external stopvalve

www.wras.co.uk

Bathroom

There are many products available that aid bathroom accessibility and safety

Inclusive design Barbara Osborne, Product Manager at Methven UK, looks at the creation of useable bathrooms for the ageing population and what this means for installers.

or the first time in history, there are more than 11 million people in the UK aged 65 or over, making it paramount for the industry to offer a diverse range of bathroom designs that considers the needs of all areas of society. Older consumers may not see or feel the need to change their lifestyle, so it is important that bathroom products provide technology which improves accessibility and safety without compromising the style or luxury of the product. Members of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) have established the Designing for Life Committee, tackling the challenges facing the ageing population and

using this information to aid members in making their own commercial decisions. There is, however, much more to be done. The pressure to improve bathrooms in existing properties to meet the specific requirements of the elderly is increasing. Over half of the elderly respondents to a recent survey, conducted by Shelter, believed their current bathrooms required modification or re-planning to make them more accessible and easy to use. Whilst design is a key factor, the development of new technologies which enable the future-proofing of bathrooms is equally important. Manufacturers are continuing to develop products that aid accessibility and safety. The

industry has seen a rise in specifically designed products that improve the bathroom experience for all users. Innovative product enhancements such as longer, more ergonomically designed lever handles, can improve the overall bathroom experience by making showers and taps easier to operate. Understanding the individual requirements of customers is key to ensuring that all needs are catered for. For example, showers with a softer flow, such as Satinjet, are ideal for customers with sensitive skin. Satinjet utilises twin jets of water that collide and turn into thousands of tiny droplets, creating a soft, yet stimulating shower with a sense of warmth and luxury. The focus is now shifting onto installers, who are being encouraged to know up-to-date information in order to make sure consumers know the choices available. Equipping customers with the knowledge they need to make the right choice for their individual requirements is vital. A thorough understanding of how the latest products and technologies apply to their consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs is also essential.

Bathroom

In some cases, the needs of the elderly are as simple as mobility challenges, which can be resolved with the creation of walk-in showers or baths. Whilst these methods do provide some assistance, showering can provide much wider issues for the ageing population. For example, temperature, flow and spray pattern are all things that can impact upon an older person. These aspects have helped to shape recent technological advancements that are incorporated into showering products to suit the wider needs of the ageing population.

Reducing the risk of scalding For developers and installers, safety should always be an important consideration. As the second most common cause of household injuries, hot water can cause a serious scald injury within a matter of seconds, with the degree of scalding depending on the temperature and volume of hot water and the length of time the body is exposed to it. However, it can take only seconds for a severe scald to occur. There are over 20 deaths each year in the UK as a result of scald injuries from hot baths, so it is important to minimise risk of injury. Adults above the age of 65 are amongst those at highest risk as elderly customers may have thinner skin, and therefore could be more susceptible to burns. Products which include cool-totouch bar technology may be particularly helpful. The product ensures that the temperature of the bar shower never exceeds that of the mixed water, so elderly users can be assured that they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t scald themselves if they accidently touch the shower body. Technology like this ensures that consumers can feel safe and comfortable with their bathroom products. If you are over 65 you will find it helpful to refer to products conforming to BuildCertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TMV2 scheme that minimise the risk of scalding. Methven UK offers an extensive portfolio of thermostatic showering products which conform to TMV2. There is undoubted pressure on the industry to improve bathrooms in existing properties to suit individual needs and requirements. This pressure is only going to increase in demand over the years, with the population aged 75 and over expected to double in the next 30 years . The bathroom industry is working hard to ensure that every element of design innovation is prepared to meet the needs of the elderly. Inclusivity, versatility and, most importantly, safety, is vital and adaptations need to be made in the home as a first priority.

www.methven.com/uk Left: Cool-to-touch bar technology lowers the risk of scald injuries Above: Bathroom mobility challenges can be resolved with walk-in showers and baths

Roofing

Let there be light Here, Howells Patent Glazing – an expert in bespoke roof design – showcases the roof glazing options available that will flood your home with natural light.

Different internal and external profile finishes are available including square, ornate and raked features to suit the application. There are lots of different profiles available, at varying levels of cost, from slim lines with large glass to more traditional frames. For a more dramatic effect – often favoured within more traditional builds – consider a true lantern rooflight that incorporates both slanted and vertical windows. Verticle window height is available in variable, bespoke sizes and allows top-hung opening vents to be situated within the windows. Pyramid, octagon and even dome glazing should also be considered. For those looking for low maintenance glazing, modern glass options that benefit from self-cleaning upgrades may be better suited. Polyester powder coated aluminium is also considered to be a low maintenance finish to your rooflight. As with all material specification, glass samples and technical information is always available from trusted manufacturers.

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g gla leanin ated Self-c powder co r r e fo t t s polye ium are bes in e c m an . alu ainten low m

good way of introducing natural light into your living space, where possible, is to incorporate a glazed rooflight. These can be installed onto a flat roof, or be an integral part of a sloping roof. Swimming pool covers, rooflights, lantern lights, single and double pitched rooflights and conservatories including portal frames, if required, are all options available to incorporate overhead glazing. When choosing a rooflight, important considerations include thermal efficiency, ventilation, solar control, safety, aesthetics, cost and maintenance. Consider the environment you are trying to create, the amount of light desired and where this light would work best within the space. Flat roof skylights offer maximum light exposure and the integration of specialist supporting bars will create an uninterrupted flow of sunlight due to this design’s unobtrusive framing. There are many options for flat rooflights, including hip ended, gable ended, traditional lanterns and contemporary

flat glass types. Walk-on options are available for those wishing to incorporate glazing within balcony flooring or roof terraces. It is essential to guarantee the use of safety glass within any overhead glazing. Sloping windows can incorporate traditional patent glazing or a fully thermally broken system. The choice of modern solar control glass can be used to good effect in reducing solar gain and glare.

Ventilation advantages Opening lights are an easy and obvious solution to ventilation issues. Allow fresh air to flow into your home as well as sunlight by incorporating openers, either manual or electric in operation. Another ventilation option to consider is accompanying roof vents. Carefully consider what view the glazing provides as well as which style will best suit both the interior and exterior of your home. It might be that you require a different internal finish compared to the external profile.

www.howellsglazing.co.uk

Left: Use glazing to make a statement Below: Rooflights will shower your interior with extra natural light

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41 10/04/2015 11:35

Eyebrow i-build Sub-brow

Y-values can save you money and increase efficiency Paul Joyner, Managing Director of Sustainable Building Solutions, part of the Travis Perkins Group, discusses how SAP assessments have heightened the importance of Y-values and how they can be used to save money and improve efficiency.

ithin buildings the heat loss through junctions is known as ‘thermal bridging’. In a poorly insulated building, heat loss through thermal bridging is not significant. In highly insulated walls – with low ‘U-values’ – the heat loss through junctions, where several components are assembled together, can be very significant if they are not well designed. For the first time in 2010, Building Regulations also began to measure heat loss through junctions, and measured this through Y-values – also known as ‘psi’ values. The 2010 Building Regulations ensure compliance with SAP 2009, meaning that building design must not only consider these but also meet TER

(Target Energy Ratings) and TFEEs (Target Fabric Energy Efficiency). To do this, a SAP assessment will assign credits through a calculation relating to well-designed and insulated junctions. This approach works on existing properties and also helps to tackle common issues like surface condensation.

Importance of planning A ski jacket provides the ideal analogy for the contribution of Y-values to heat savings. The wearer may be as warm in a thick jacket with the zip open, as they would in a thin jacket with the zip closed. When Y-values aren’t maximised, thermal bridging allows heat to escape through the path of least resistance.

i-build

Not planning for Y-values can be costly. The challenge now being faced is that many builders, architects, and SAP assessors aren’t familiar with Y-values, let alone being able to apply a solution to minimise them. If this knowledge gap isn’t filled, 33% of heat loss through junctions will continue to occur on typical dwellings built to 2006 standards. Worryingly, around 60% to 70% of new properties are still built to this standard and so a large proportion of homes are still being built with this inherent level of inefficiency. Being able to improve Y-values is therefore vital to reduce reliance on other energy saving measures in the build whilst still being able to pass SAP and vastly reduce cost by using less insulation. If the architect or builder doesn’t consider them, the SAP assessor will use ‘default’ Y-values which assume the junctions will lose as much heat as having a 3m2 hole in the wall. Having this hole, which is the size of a pair of French doors, will of course mean that much thicker insulation is required to meet required regulations. A number of ‘approved’ details are on the market. Whilst these have slightly better Y-values they still create a relatively large hole which is around the size of a standard front door. Independently modelled drawings, which I will detail further in this article, provide the most effective savings due to their unbiased recommendations across an extensive range of products that will formulate the best solution. The SBS Standard Construction Drawings (SCDs) have been designed for new-build and retrofit with the objective of being an information resource and advice service to customers with the ultimate aim of maximising the fabric’s contribution to SAP.

Main: A SAP assessment calculates energy performance Above (top): Gaps between junctions can cause heat loss of 33% Above : Insulation installation Right : These homes benefit from solar panels

: Secretntify e d a r T qua ments

sess ance SAP as g’s perform in e, a a dwell of energy us s rgy m e r n e t e in ed st-bas fuel-co cy rating and n efficie ns of CO2 is m e sio

i-build Using these drawings not only reduces the need to use default SAP figures but will make some very simple, but significant, changes to standard build methods which mean the fabric can be used to its maximum capability. The drawings have also been independently tested and verified by BRE, LABC and the HBF. As SBS has access to the full range of products available from numerous brands across the Travis Perkins Group, the best nominated product is put forward with 3D thermal modelling. Not only do the drawings provide a lower Y-value and therefore cost savings, but remove the need for the builder or designer to model their own junctions, which can be incredibly expensive.

Sustainable benefits There are two notable examples of how the SBS team has worked with builders and architects to deliver cost savings through improved Y-values. A leading UK national house builder was looking to comply with 2013 Building Regulations and SAP 2012 through an update to its standard housing design. In

addition to minimising build costs, a building with improved performance would offer added value to the future purchaser. SBS was tasked with reducing the cavity thickness from 125 to 100mm. By successfully implementing a design with Y-values that would decrease the thickness by 25mm, the build costs were reduced whilst the volume of the living space was improved. This simple change also negated the need for renewable technologies meaning that the originally planned solar thermal systems were no longer needed. In total, build costs were reduced by ÂŁ3500 per property which is equivalent to ÂŁ4.11 per square foot. For an independent architect working on three terraced houses, ease and efficiency of the build was paramount. Each junction followed the SBS Standard Construction Drawings and allowed a gas boiler to be combined with solar PV. The lower Y-values allowed cavities to be reduced by 50mm with the number of PV panels halved in number to provide cost savings of around ÂŁ1300 per plot.

Above: These properties have been designed and built to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes Right: Annotated example of a SBS SCD showing junction improvements

Rubbershield pro breather roofing felt (652159) Roofing battens BS 5534:2003 Roofing tiles Manthorpe G500 over insulation ventilator (916129) Manthorpe G1280 felt support tray (504051)

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150mm x 2 Insulation Knauf loft roll (114793) 100mm Insulation Knauf loft roll between rafters (114792)

Catnic Cougar Lintel

12.5mm Plasterboard (760054) 4trade decorating caulk (879442)

E2 Ψ 0.129 W/mK

Window with minimum u-value of 1.2W/m2K

Manthorpe G247 Cavity closer (155170)

4trade decorating caulk (879442)

Skirting board (158008) 4trade GP mastic seal

Staifix wall tie HRT4 (260703)

Egger D4 joint adhesive (165371) Steico Engineered floor 22mm Chipboard flooring (tongued & grooved) (165363)

E6 Ψ 0.001 W/mK

Walls to have adequate lateral restraints to intermediate floor level 15mm Plasterboard with joints to be taped and filled (818892)

Significantly for the architect, it also meant that time was saved on the design with SBS providing a full specification directly to the builder, in addition to specification support for the solar PVs and detailed estimates. My view is that if a house is built well and with the right products it will last for hundreds of years. Bolting technology onto an unprepared shell won’t make much of a difference. It is a positive step that a ‘fabric first’ approach is now recognised in industry as the ideal. The real challenge that I see going forwards is in bridging the knowledge gap around the importance of Y-values and the actual size of the hole that is created when the default values are replied upon. It is the responsibility of the merchant to support this requirement for education and to provide a suitable solution whilst encouraging a closer working relationship with the architect or building designer.

www.tpsbs.co.uk

Wall thickness 300mm

4trade decorating caulk (879422)

Plasterboard 12.5mm (760054) H&H STD Aerated Block (700055) Facing brick

100mm Knauf Dritherm 32 insulation (450930)

Manthorpe GW295 Cavity tray (504063)

Manthorpe GRS radiator seal (497439)

Manthorpe G950 weep vent (916477)

Skirting board (158008) 4trade GP silicone sealant (879428)

Polythene DPC (780227)

30mm celotex TB4030 insulation upstand (778036) 65mm sand & cement screed 120mm Celotex XR4120 insulation (778050) Sand binding

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100mm Celotex GA 4100 insulation (778048)

H&H Aerated floor block (201272) Concrete floor beams H&H Aerated course block (753178) H&H Aerated foundation block (878251)

i-nterior

Perfect fit

All images ÂŠ Will Pryce

Shoe designer Rupert Sanderson employed David Kohn Architects to create a unique extension for his Victorian semi-detached house in Tufnell Park, North London.

i-nterior

upert Sanderson, his wife Rowan Routh and their three young sons were looking to extend their North London Victorian home. The house had only a narrow scullery-type kitchen with only a small window to the garden. The aim was to extend and open up the space into a generous room that addressed the back garden for the family to spend time together in, eating, playing and relaxing. The house was built in the 1860s on land gifted to the Mercers Company – the twelfth century cloth merchants’ guild. It is built predominantly of stock London yellow brick with a more elaborate red brick front facade and matching red brick details, such as the lintels over windows. The 20m long garden benefitted from a widening adjacent to the house, where a garage had been built, stepping 2m into the neighbouring

Above: Oak end parquet mats are flushed into the concrete slab flooring Right: The vaulted roof lends the interior a lightness

i-nterior

property. Being in Islington’s Mercers Road/Tavistock Terrace Conservation Area, there were constraints on development. This meant that Rupert had struggled with planning consent and had his first application rejected. He decided to bring David Kohn Architects on board with the project to help work around the complicated restrictions. Their approach was to have a strong concept for the remodeling that directly addressed the Conservation Area guidance relating to scale, massing, detailing and materials. This time the planning application was successful and work was completed last year.

Space optimisation The new extension is the full width of the site. A concrete frame supports the first floor return and creates a screen to the garden. Externally, the concrete frame has been faced in red brick slips that match the front facade and brick lintels. The newly elevated status of the rear facade effectively gives the house two faces – an arrangement that the British architect, Peter Smithson, once referred to as a ‘Janus building’. In the early design stages, the project was described to the three boys as a fox in the garden and the story stuck. The red brickwork is given a textural quality, like a coat, through varying the orientation of the brick, reminiscent of Finnish modernist architect, Alvar Aalto’s Muuratsalo Experimental House. The extension is intended to feel like a pergola, with concrete columns framing outdoor spaces. The finished space is divided into three zones, a kitchen with island unit, a dining room and a small winter garden. The dining area is a tall barrel-vaulted space with a new high-level arched internal window to the original house and a circular window to the garden. This arrangement ensures that when sitting in the living room one’s view is directed both to the dining room and through to the garden beyond.

Above: The interior benefits from a rich colour palette Left: An arched window lets borrowed light and views into the original house Right: A kink in the garden has become a small sitting room

i-nterior

In order to maintain the appearance of a structure standing in a garden, the screen of sliding metal-framed glazed doors are set inboard of the concrete columns, the back of which are therefore seen through the glazing. The garden faces north, so efforts were made to improve daylight to the rear of the building and provide optimal opportunities for outdoor living. Therefore, three small trees were felled, significantly increasing light onto the rear facade. A paved terrace was laid that swells into the garden at exactly the spot where the sun lingers longest in the summer months.

Colourful charisma The interior is both materially rich and colourful. Materials were chosen for their textural qualities and contribution to the comfort of the space. Profiled timber facing to the kitchen island performs an acoustic function; end grain parquet mats inserted in the concrete floor give clear definition to

Top left: The red bricks form the figure of a fox Left: The project before and after

i-nterior Right: The arch and vaulted roof frame the view through the circular window of the garden

Above: The home benefits from extensive glazing

the kitchen and dining spaces and warmth under foot; gloss black tiles reflect light and give the kitchen a greater depth. The bold colours – tertiary blue, green and yellow – are reminiscent of Adolf Loos' modernist interior design within his Viennese houses of the 1920s. The intention was that the walls would be densely hung with art works, which Rupert has begun to do, such that the feeling of the space was one of conviviality and in a cultured life close to nature.

In terms of the architect’s inspiration, the project develops themes first realised in other projects Carrer Avinyó – a refurbished apartment in Barcelona – and Stable Acre – a holiday home in Norfolk. The practice is interested in a highly contextual architecture, freed from rigid formal and material constraints, that is both conceptually rigorous and playful.

www.davidkohn.co.uk

i-scape

Greening your new design Paul Garlick, of green wall expert Mobilane, looks at the latest innovative techniques to green your new home and add additional levels of sustainability.

i-scape

ustainability has been a dominant fashion in the self-build market for many years, and the self-build industry has embraced sustainability and energy efficiency to such a degree that it has been both a driver and a leader in green building techniques and technologies. Should we assume that the self-build market has more concern about sustainability? Should we assume the market is more concerned about energy efficiency and saving money? It could be a mixture of both, but in all likelihood it could also be that sustainable technologies offer that ‘something different’ the market is always looking for. If you are going to design and build your own home, make it special. Many sustainability and energy efficient technologies have become commonplace in the self-build market. Ground source heating and natural ventilation for example are the ‘unseen’ ways in which sustainability is incorporated. Micro-generation technologies are also increasingly commonplace and are more of a visible statement of energy efficiency. So with the self-build market already embracing these technologies and techniques, the question now needs to be asked; where next for sustainability in the self-build market? Perhaps understandably, a key logical next step is to focus on improving the living experience for homeowners.

Bringing the outdoors in Increased levels of carbon monoxide and airborne particulates are typically found indoors. But if the interior air quality can be made cleaner and more oxygen rich, the experience for the occupier will be better. This is being addressed with some vigour in the office workspace, where the link between air quality, wellbeing and productivity are well researched and understood. But aside from potted plants, what are the innovative, new, and highly attractive ways of incorporating plants into both interiors and exteriors? Wall-hung picture frames that incorporate living plants are one way to bring the outdoors in. The effect is stunning and these systems feature internal irrigation system that only needs refilling every six weeks. This is a great way to include indoor plants with added ‘wow’ factor. The same technology is applied on a larger scale with movable living plant screens. While these designs are already growing in popularity in the commercial office space, they are also gaining a foothold within the domestic environment. Designs such as these were once very popular in the home, but fell out of fashion in the 20th Century. However, with modern, open-plan designs they are experiencing resurgence.

Above: Living walls deliver considerable sustainable benefits Left: Wall-hung plants no longer have to be potted Below: Plants will encourage local wildlife to thrive

Living walls can be found on a range of commercial and public buildings and make a striking statement in the urban environment, but they are also available for use on smaller residential developments. As well as looking incredible, a living wall delivers both thermal and acoustic insulation benefits, as well as encouraging insect and bird life and helping to remove airborne

Planting alternatives Externally, there are living systems available that not only increase the performance of a building, but which also help improve the experience, add interest to a design and deliver additional sustainable benefits.

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particulates and carbon monoxide. Another lesser known benefit is their ability to address the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;heat islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; effect in summer. All of this means a living wall is very effective in generally improving the atmosphere, as well as delivering considerable sustainability benefits. Mobilaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LivePanel living wall system is a modular system that uses a specially developed substrate designed to enable plants to establish and thrive with minimum maintenance. The system is so versatile that it can also be installed indoors for added statement.

Sprouting from the rooftops As the green consciousness grows, green roofs are becoming increasingly common. A great many new school developments now feature green roofs as they not only provide the same performance and sustainability benefits as living walls, but are also low maintenance and make a strong statement about sustainability. Green roofs are perfect for self-build projects because of the ease of application. For example, the Mobiroof system uses cassettes that are cultivated with up to six different kinds of sedum. Architectural adjustments are not required, so the system can be installed retrospectively.

Protecting the boundaries Of course, one of the challenges of completing a self-build development will always be borders to the property. Fences can be somewhat bland and do not deliver sustainability benefits, while hedges can take Above: It has never been easier to incorporate sustainable elements within your home design Left: Sustainable design is more than just energy efficiency Right: Pre-cultivated hedging requires less space and maintenance than traditional hedges

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a considerable time to grow and settle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as well as requiring ongoing maintenance. A solution is pre-cultivated hedging that attaches to wire fencing. These designs are both easily installed and extremely robust. The wire fencing provides additional security as there are no weak points like in traditional hedges and the design also saves on space. Green screens are already widely used on larger residential developments where space and security are an issue. They look good as soon as they are installed and once they are fully grown require very little maintenance. Crucially, they always stay â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;neatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and there is no need to heavily trim them regularly, as there is with a traditional hedge.

Looking ahead Ultimately, sustainability in house design is more than merely energy efficiency. That particular nut has been successfully cracked to the degree that we have now entered the stage where the best new builds are actually carbon positive. The ongoing task is to look at the other issues of sustainability, such as encouraging natural ecosystems to thrive, as well as protecting personal health and wellbeing. The answer to these challenges will always be found in plants, and the big added advantage is that the latest systems for greening your home-building project delivers stunning aesthetic benefits that will turn your design into something truly outstanding.

www.mobilane.co.uk

Cladding Eyebrow Sub-brow

Composite timber cladding is produced by combining natural wood flour and high density polyethylene with specially selected additives and a suitable binding agent to create a composite material that looks just like natural wood but doesn’t require painting or staining. It is ideal for battling the UK weather and offers a fantastic 25 year life cycle thanks to its durable nature and low maintenance requirements.

Simple installation

Dura Cladding enhances kerb appeal Dura Cladding 150 Weatherboard has helped to transform a four bedroom home in rural Essex, improving the overall warmth and energy efficiency of the property, as well as providing a futureproof solution to effects of the changeable UK weather.

he initial idea for the project came in 2014 when the property’s owners decided that action was needed to update the exterior facade of their home following a harsh winter. The brief was to reduce the number and variety of materials used on the front and rear elevations and to harmonise the overall look, thus adding much needed kerb appeal. In addition, they were also looking to improve the warmth of their home in winter by uprating the insulation where the previous timber cladding had been faced onto single skin walls. The original timber cladding was badly in need of maintenance, as traditional materials such as wood do fade and rot over time unless they are regularly treated – often a costly and time consuming task. With this in mind, the owners decided to consider an alternative solution in the form of composite timber cladding from Dura Composites.

Having selected Dura Cladding from cladding expert Dura Composites, the property’s owners Mr and Mrs Szajkowski trialled the online colour visualiser to perfect the look they wanted. Dura Cladding 150 Weatherboard in barn black colour was selected to provide a full contrast with the new white render, and to minimise the risk of staining from the sap of nearby trees. The product’s eco-friendly credentials were a further factor in its selection as the cladding is made using up to 87% recycled content and can be supplied as FSC 100% certified for excellent peace of mind. The original weak and rotten timber cladding and battens were completely removed and new battens were installed. 75mm insulation was added between each batten support, providing a hugely effective heat retention barrier across the front and rear of the property. Dura Cladding was then installed on top of the insulation in accordance with the simple guidelines provided within the accompanying Technical Manual. To complete the look, the property’s owners decided to use a composite timber decking known as Dura Deck to cover the aesthetically challenging concrete piled skirt that surrounded the building. A complementary barn black deck system was selected and installed to provide a great match for the new cladding solution.

www.duracomposites.com 01255 423601 info@duracomposites.com Dura Cladding is an innovative alternative to natural timber

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Plumbing

Why WRAS approval matters Building Control, planning consent and the Building Regulations are often at the front of a self-builder’s mind when embarking on a project. However, some may not have fully considered other regulations covering their new-build property.

ater Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws apply to all premises with a public water supply. Among other things, these aim to prevent contamination of water supplies that could affect those within the properties and surrounding homes. Compliance is the owner’s responsibility and failing to comply can result in legal action. There are two ways to help ensure you comply with the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws – by employing a WaterSafe approved business and installing WRAS approved water fittings. WaterSafe installers are recognised as among the best in the industry and the scheme has the backing of all water suppliers in the UK – giving peace-of-mind to selfbuilders who are likely to be the specifier and the end user.

Fast-track process WaterSafe approved businesses employ competent individuals with industryrecognised qualifications in the Water Fittings Regulations and plumbing. WaterSafe recognised individuals can carry out some work without giving prior notification to the local water company, speeding up progress. Plus, they will issue customers with a ‘Work Complies Certificate’ which is a legal defence if challenged by the water company enforcing the Water Fittings Regulations. With links to the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), most WaterSafe installers will be well aware of the WRAS approved products. These approved products are a straightforward and cost-effective way of demonstrating compliance with the Water

Fittings Regulations. The Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws require water fittings to be ‘of an appropriate quality and standard’, meaning they don’t waste, misuse or cause undue consumption or contamination of water. If installed by a WaterSafe installer, water fittings approved by WRAS will help ensure your new plumbing system complies with requirements of the Water Fittings Regulations. All WRAS approved products undergo rigorous mechanical and water quality testing. Products are inspected for their compliance by representatives of the water industry before being granted a WRAS approval and being listed in the Water Fittings and Materials Directory on the WRAS website Believe it or not, it isn’t illegal to sell or buy water fittings which do not comply with the Regulations and Byelaws and there are products on sale today which fall short of the requirements. There is also nothing to say a non-WRAS approved product will contravene the regulations, but is it worth the risk? Untested and nonapproved products could potentially contaminate the water supply and leave you at risk of illness, property damage or even criminal prosecution. Without WRAS approval, the installer and fittings supplier are likely to have to provide documentary evidence of compliance, which is time-consuming. Without suitable evidence, water

suppliers could ask for an installation to be removed altogether at the property owners’ cost or ask for additional safeguards to be installed or worse still, the water supplier may refuse the supply connection altogether. So if you’re buying, specifying, or installing water fittings and you want them to comply with the law, be safe – choose WRAS approved and get them installed by a WaterSafe recognised installer.

www.watersafe.org.uk 0333 207 9030 info@watersafe.org.uk

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The latest innovation from FAKRO is the PYP-V proSky high-pivot PVC roof window. Its balanced hinge mechanism for the raised pivot point enables the sash to be positioned unsupported at any point, allowing users to stand unobstructed in an open window. In addition to white, the PYP-V is available in Golden Oak and Pine to complement exposed oak beams, doors and floors. Alongside natural pine products in the high pivot range, it offers an extended height of up to 1800mm to maximise use of natural daylight.

www.fakro.co.uk

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Solarlux doubles presence at Grand Designs Live Solarlux will be exhibiting on two stands at this year’s Grand Designs Live, May 2-10 at ExCel London, with their Active Partner, Original Door Company Trading Ltd. On stand B240 the company will be exhibiting and demonstrating its range of bi-folding doors SL60, SL 67, SL 80 folding glass door, SL 160 Lift and slide system and its Akzent Plus Wintergarden. Solarlux will also be featuring Cero, the new sliding window – a highly versatile product with limitless design possibilities. The narrow frame and slim panel profiles give a contemporary design aesthetic, yet offers uncompromised stability and security.

www.solarlux.co.uk 0170 73 39 970 info@solarlux.co.uk

Ecodan heat pumps now offer EPC cashback

Versatility and choice Sleek, stylish and thoroughly modern – that’s the perfect way to sum up the new Doba cabinetry from kitchen specialist Caple. This contemporary kitchen design features rounded, foil-wrapped cabinets which give it a smooth, clean finish and eye-catching appeal. In the version pictured right the doors are shown in ivory, but they are also available in dakar, mussel, stone grey and white. The carcase is also available in a range of other shades. The island design is the perfect choice for a modern, open-plan kitchen-diner and offers plenty of space and storage for families and those who enjoy cooking, entertaining and relaxing in their kitchen.

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FAKRO launches PVC high pivot roof window

www.caple.co.uk 0117 938 1900 enquiries@caple.co.uk

Inspirational garden and drive catalogue The new Brett Landscaping Gardens and Drives catalogue is now available and represents the biggest change to the annual domestic paving catalogue in several years as the manufacturer launches its new range of flag paving for patios. The 2015 edition is characterised by its shift to a landscape format and an emphasis on lifestyle photography; similarly the presentation of product information at the rear of the catalogue has been simplified to make it easier to find out what you need. Alongside its natural stone, block paving and kerb portfolios, Brett Landscaping is using the Gardens and Drives catalogue to launch its new range of flag and block paving for domestic installations.

www.brettpaving.co.uk 0845 60 80 577 landscapinginfo@brett.co.uk

Osmo introduces its new spray-mop

Mitsubishi Electric has teamed up with Green Deal advice service ‘Easy EPC’ to offer homeowners a full cashback on the cost of an Energy Performance Certificate and a Green Deal Assessment. The six-month promotion was launched on 9th April to coincide with the first anniversary of the RHI – the world’s first, long-term financial support programme for renewable heat. All Ecodan systems – outdoor unit and cylinder – purchased, installed and commissioned before 9th October 2015 will be eligible for a refund of £147.95. To apply for this promotion a simple application form needs to be completed–this can be downloaded from the Mitsubishi Electric heating website and is located in the homeowners section.

Osmo UK, the eco-friendly wood and finishes expert, has boosted its cleaning and maintenance range with the introduction of the Osmo Spray-Mop – a new cleaning system ideal for use on wooden floors treated with Osmo Polyx-Oil. Spray-Mop incorporates a fibre mop and spray-fix cartridge. The 0.75L container is ready-filled with a special cleaning dilution and fixed near the bottom of the mop. At the press of a button, the liquid is sprayed directly onto the wood flooring, removing the need for heavy buckets and extra cleaning equipment. The concentrate incorporates natural oils which prevent the floor from drying out.

www.ecodan.co.uk 01707 282880 heating@meuk.mee.com

www.osmouk.com 01296 481220 info@osmouk.com

Eyebrow Kitchen Sub-brow

and have been designed to coordinate with a wide range of other products within Smeg’s portfolio. The hob is available in four finishes of stainless steel, cream, black and white. It features chrome controls that are set off perfectly by the sturdy, heavy duty cast iron pan stands and the black burner caps, resulting in a truly classic design, which will look right at home in any kitchens.

Traditional design features

Built-in brilliance Smeg has launched the SR964 gas hob into the new Victoria built-in collection.

ew from appliance brand Smeg is the SR964 60cm Victoria traditional gas hob, which is part of the colourful new retro Victoria built-in collection. The full collection features the

same stunning aesthetic and traditional, classic styling as the existing Victoria range cooker collection. Perfect for injecting personality into your kitchen, the unique new Victoria built-in appliances work wonderfully in both traditional and contemporary settings

Elements of the modern and traditional are combined in this model through the use of traditional design features and cutting edge technology such as automatic electronic ignition. Safety valves offer peace of mind while the option to adapt the hob for use with LPG offers extra convenience and flexibility. Joan Fraser, Smeg’s product training and development manager, says: “The SR964 Victoria gas hob is a fantastic addition to our new Victoria built-in range and is ideal for people who have a passion for good food and high design. The choice of finishes will appeal to a wide range of tastes and its traditional aesthetic will be the perfect complement to any kitchen.” The SR964 measures 500 x 595mm and is priced from £249. Smeg was founded by Vittorio Bertazzoni Snr in 1948 when the company specialised in enamelling and metal working. The name, SMEG, is an acronym Smalterie Metallurgiche Emiliane Guastalla, which roughly translates as smelting and metal enamelling plant in Guastalla, Emilia. The company has recently won two new accolades at the Designer Kitchen and Bathroom Awards. The award-winning appliances are the DF4SS-1 with SwingWash technology and the DOSP38X Classic Double Pyrolytic Oven. Smeg UK product list includes ovens, hobs, hoods, coffee machines, cookers, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, sinks, taps, fires and accessories.

www.smeguk.com 0844 557 9907 sales@smeguk.com

Left: The hob is 500mm wide and 595mm long Main: The new design forms part of a new built-in collection

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