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Contents

June 2021

Regulars 11 EDITOR’S LETTER 17 KEVIN McCLOUD Our

editor-at-large examines architect Walter Segal’s legacy 146 MY GRAND IDEA Architect Alan Morris on designing a secluded backyard home

13 News 13 ARCHITECTURE UPDATE

A spotlight on recent projects 111 KITCHEN UPGRADE The latest

cabinets, surfaces and appliances 127 BATHROOM EDIT Stylish new

additions for the smallest room

146

111 MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 5

CONTENTS

Homes 20 SCOTTISH PASSIVHAUS

This distinctive self-build took seven years to complete 35 MID-CENTURY REFURB

Bringing a dash of Sri Lankan style to a suburban 1960s house in East Sussex 47 VICTORIAN RETROFIT

A modern, minimalist smart home sits within the shell of the original building 57 LONDON RENOVATION

Remodelling this former council house provided muchneeded space and storage

57

20 Projects 75 RENOVATION DIARY Fireproofing

the ceiling is an important job ticked off Reena and Matt’s to-do list 79 GRAND GUIDE Ten beautiful homes that were built in a hurry 89 PROJECT HEALTHY HOME

Bring your wellbeing to the fore with these ideas and expert advice

79

99 BUYER’S GUIDE TO OUTDOOR LIGHTING Brilliant ways to

brighten exterior walls, garden pathways, patios and pergolas 105 BUYER’S GUIDE TO GROUNDSOURCE HEAT PUMPS Use the

thermal energy beneath your feet to warm your home 117 PROJECT KITCHENS Hi-tech helpers, from apps to taps 131 PROJECT BATHROOMS

Eco-friendly baths and basins

131

6 JUNE 2021 /

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EDITOR’S LETTER

E

arly one frosty morning I went into the garden to see whether the tender young plants in my cold frame survived the night and found three icy sheepskin slippers on the grass – unfamiliar slippers that did not belong to anyone in the house. The mystery was eventually solved by my neighbour, who responded to my text saying that she left them on her back step the preceding evening, and could I throw them over the fence? She and I reckon that the fox we’ve heard barking at bedtime had been having a fine game of hide the slipper under cover of darkness. I’m thrilled. With some justification, my neighbour not so much.

Proponents of biophilic design suggest that having a connection and appreciation for the natural world has an important role

to play in helping us stay in good physical and mental health. Knowing that wildlife and plants thrive in my garden, and being able to experience that for myself, certainly makes me feel good. But there’s much more to biophilic or healthy home design than simply having access to outdoor space or filling a room with greenery.

Ideally, natural light, ventilation, materials and views, as well shapes and forms found in nature, must all be included in our living spaces and workplaces for the most beneficial effect. Smaller home improvements can make a positive difference as well. For a range of wellbeing-focused practical advice and case study inspiration for both self-build and renovation projects, take a look at the feature on page 89. Just keep an eye on your slippers.

COVER PHOTO DARIA SCAGLIOLA & STIJN BRAKKEE

K AREN ST YLIANIDES , EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHY GILBERT MCCARRAGHER

@StylianidesK

Amnis House in the Cotswolds was built quickly with insulated concrete formwork. Turn to page 79 for more

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 11

Architects & Designers

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NEWS

Architecture update Original projects to inspire your own self-build or renovation

Hide and seek The owners of this new-build home in Santpoort-Noord, The Netherlands, requested a design that would engage with the surrounding greenery, with the living areas kept as private as possible and three bedrooms on the lower storey. Architecture practice DP6 came up with an elongated building with a kink just off-centre. Its fully glazed façade faces onto a beech-lined lane at the end of the garden, while the side facing the road is more protected. On the upper level, vertical bamboo slats form an important part of the design and create a play of light inside the house. (dp6.nl)

Down to the woods A chain of events links this timber home to the great grandparents of one of the owners, who built the neighbouring farmhouse in Frastanz-Gampelün, Austria, using wood from their own forest. The replacement trees they planted were felled to form the structure and cladding for the new house, which was designed by Firm on the site of a former stables. Set on a concrete block, the timber cube provides a panoramic view from the kitchen, dining and living area. The untreated exterior spruce cladding will weather, while the interior woodwork was soaped three times to keep it pristine. (firm.ac)

The Federation of Master Builders is calling for the government to cut VAT on homeimprovement works to promote living spaces fit for the future. It claims that the move will encourage households to install green measures and a cut will boost the UK’s transition towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. (fmb.org.uk)

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 13

NEWS

Architecture update Rock solid Inspired by an inherited marble bust and table, the owners of a five-bedroom house in East Dulwich, south London, opted for precision-cut marble for the exteriors of a new kitchen-diner extension and a separate garden room. Arabescato is the paler stone with soft veining and Bardiglio is darker and more structured. The project, by Alexander Owen Architecture, cost £250,000 for the extension and £54,000 for the garden room. (aoarchitecture.co.uk)

A tight squeeze L’Atelier Nomadic Architecture Studio took a flexible approach when converting a 50sqm one-bedroom Parisian flat for a couple and their three children and adding a bedroom. Its movable partitions provide storage and allow for changes later on, so the main bedroom wall can be removed to create a bigger living room, and the two bedrooms can become a single larger one. Exploiting the 3m-high ceilings allowed the studio to position 1m-high sleeping alcoves for the two sons above the compact bathroom and under the elder daughter’s bedroom. The budget was £60,000. (latelier.work)

Light box Unagru Architects has reimagined a traditional Victorian four-bedroom terraced house in Queen’s Park, London, adding side and rear extensions, a loft bedroom and shower room, and a basement with an office and media room, utility and laundry room. Extensive glazing was essential to bring light deep into the house. The top-lit stairwell from ground floor to basement has a steel and hardwood staircase, and an open-slatted surround in stained oak functions as a screen, filtering light through. The extensions and staircase also act as internal greenhouses for tender plants. (unagru.com)

There’s something unique about every project depicted in The Monocle Book of Homes (£50, Thames & Hudson, 27 May), from a large wooden house in a forest by Lake Degersjö, Finland, to a restored terraced Georgian property in Bristol.

Find out how individual homes, housing projects and communities provide great quality of life for their inhabitants, with key writers and designers relating what they think makes a good home.

14 JUNE 2021 /

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WORDS CAROLINE RODRIGUES PHOTOGRAPHY DARIA SCAGLIOLA & STIJN BRAKKEE, ADOLF BEREUTER, FRENCH + TYE, TIM VAN DE VELDE, STALE ERIKSEN

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EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

Kevin

McCloud We have Walter Segal to thank for showing us what architecture can do for us all, says our editor-at-large

W

hen pondering the big questions of architecture, I often ask, ‘Is there a god? I mean, of selfbuild. Who are the greats and saints who have made it possible? Is there at least a godfather?’

There is perhaps only one contender.

The architect Walter Segal, who is the subject of a new book by Alice Grahame and John McKean called Walter Segal: Self-Built Architect (£45, Lund Humphries, 30 June). His credentials are twofold. First, he helped create a culture of affordable self-build in Britain in the 1960s by developing his own efficient and modest construction system and pioneering community-led housing schemes with ideas such as sweat equity and shared learning. This is something Alice Grahame knows well, having lived on Segal’s Walters Way project in Lewisham, south London. Second, Walter Segal might have travelled a different road to become one of the great European architects of the 20th century.

Is that far-fetched? John McKean has spent decades researching Segal and the evidence is compelling.

The reason Segal didn’t become another Le Corbusier is because early in life he took an ethical position, one fuelled by his love of timber, a belief in personal expression, an admiration for engineering and a commitment to making things accessible. He believed that an architect had a public duty of service to show what was possible and to lead the public to demand better.

Architecture in his mind was no ancient philosophy, but a pragmatic day-to-day discipline of thinking, designing and building, becoming one of showing, sharing and teaching.

A discipline that every client and self-builder could acquaint themselves with and learn from. He demystified the arcane, debunked the bluff and reconnected the intellectual processes of his discipline with the craft of building, especially in wood. In the 1960s, when people trod a path to the modest experimental structure he self-built in his London garden, he might have reminded them that, as a young architectural graduate, his first professional job in 1932 was to build a perfectly engineered timber cabin called La Casa Piccola by an Italian lake.

Segal believed that an architect had a public duty of service to show what was possible Segal’s belief in the need for accessibility and diversity in design seems quite at home in the 21st century.

His values of thrift and engineering economy fit with our culture of sustainability. However, his century was the last one, a very different period fraught with upheaval, redefinition and the intellectualisation of architecture.

In its midst, Segal chose a more individual and honest route. He was, says McKean, never a conformist himself, but ever ‘marching alongside’, avoiding dogmatic principles.

In that remarkable century, Segal rubbed shoulders with the greats.

He gently declined Walter Gropius’s invitation to study at the Bauhaus, but came to know Gropius well along with Lyonel Feininger and Wassily Kandinksy. In his circle he admired the works of his friends Mart Stam and Bruno Taut for their technical command and humane conviviality, but was less enamoured of Mies van der Rohe’s ideological approach, indeed he was suspicious of any ideological approach at all.

He described his own work, designs for housing schemes, flats, factories and schools, as ‘non-denominational architecture’ and was proud of having freed himself from the ‘tyranny’ of ‘heroes and superstitions’ that dogged architecture in the 20th century. It is fair to say he trod an important parallel path a little way off from the mainstream of the Congrès Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM) and the superheroes of modernism, brutalism and postmodernism, but always within

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 17

EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

earshot of it all. And always friends with those superhero colleagues.

This path led him almost inevitably to the door of self-build and community self-build, of the ultimate form of architectural self-expression that perhaps anyone might access – an incarnation of buildings, and building as a process, that brought together his great fascinations for people and process.

For Grand Designs our encounters with his work have been a privilege, whether interviewing the architects he influenced or visiting the legacy of highly adaptable and affordable buildings he left behind. But the greatest privilege has always been to spend time in the company of people in the midst of building, those earning sweat equity on a community-led housing scheme like the Hedgehog co-op in Brighton designed by Robin Hillier, which Grand Designs broadcast more than 20 years ago.

Of all the films we have made, that is the one of which I am most proud. Partly this is because we were able to explore the principles of true affordability and sweat equity, where people on the social-housing waiting list were able to toil to build their own homes in return for an assured tenancy and a reduced rent.

Revisiting those homes 12 years later demonstrated something new and less tangible, an outcome of the sweat equity principle that was less expected. As a result of paying less rent, residents had been able to find more to give. Whether to their own children or to their community through voluntary work – almost every household contributed something – or through committing to

The residents of Brighton’s Hedgehog scheme built their own eco-friendly houses

Architecture can empower people, from any walk of life and with whatever means, in remarkable ways a distance learning degree. And all of them have grown, spiritually, through the shared experience of building their own and each others’ homes.

It all confirmed a deep-seated belief that the core architectural process – that of building with your own hands and learning skills as you go – can empower and self-actualise people, from any walk of life and with whatever means, in remarkable ways. We have Walter Segal to thank for showing us what architecture can do for us all.

Grahame and McKean’s book is a huge pleasure to read because

it tells a lesser-known story of the big ideas of 20th century architecture through the anecdotes, energy and wit of one man. It shows us the foundations of modern self-build in this country, on which countless numbers have been able to build their homes and we have been able to build a TV series and this magazine. It is also a delight because it is authoritative, written by the two people who know Walter Segal’s life, personality and work better than anyone, who celebrate Segal’s idiosyncrasy and his noble architectural road less travelled.

Andy Stakes and Jeanette Hardy converted an old military listening station in Galloway

ARE YOU PLANNING A ? projects to feature on the programme.

Does your build fit the bill? To apply, please visit granddesigns.tv

18 JUNE 2021 /

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PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS GIBB

TV’s Grand Designs is looking for exciting

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HOMES SCOTLAND

IN BRIEF –

LOCATION Kippen, Stirlingshire, Scotland TYPE OF PROPERTY Detached self-build BEDROOMS 4 PROJECT STARTED 2013 PROJECT FINISHED January 2020 SIZE 188sqm LAND COST £135,000 BUILD COST £250,000 approx

In front of Mhairi and Martin’s house is a deck made of Siberian larch. The bricks in the gabion wall below were reclaimed from the site

Box set This striking Passivhaus home on the edge of a Scottish village reveals a unique design idea within WORDS CAROLINE EDNIE PHOTOGR APHY DAVID BARBOUR

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 21

HOMES SCOTLAND

T

he story of Mhairi Grant and Martin McCrae’s seven-year-long self-build project is a real page-turner. ‘We didn’t have enough money to complete the house by employing a building contractor who could take on the project, so we knew we were going to have to do a lot of the work ourselves,’ says Mhairi.

The home they worked on for so long is on the edge of the village of Kippen in Stirlingshire, Scotland. ‘We sold our flat in Glasgow and rented in the village, and at one point we moved into a caravan,’ she explains.

The project began in 2013 when Mhairi, 42, and Martin, 41, who are directors of the architecture practice Paper Igloo, bought a plot of land that already had full planning permission for a house to be built on it. They had been looking for a serviced site within an hour’s drive of Glasgow, where they could build a home with unobstructed south-facing views. ‘The plot is part of the village, which is good in terms of having amenities nearby, but it’s also secluded, with woodland opposite that makes it feel far more remote than it is,’ says Mhairi.

The couple’s practice specialises in low-energy residential projects and Passivhaus design, and they wanted to use 22 JUNE 2021 /

MAGAZINE.COM

ABOVE The box-withina-box structure at the centre of the house contains the staircase, plumbing services and integrated storage RIGHT Looking from the kitchen to the double-height living space. A grey infrared heating panel hangs below a painting

by Lys Hansen

HOMES SCOTLAND

F L O O R PL A N S

DRESSING AREA KITCHEN BEDROOM EN SUITE

BEDROOM

UTILITY EN SUITE BEDROOM

BATHROOM

DINING AREA

SNUG

STUDY/BEDROOM

VOID

SEATING AREA

GROUND FLOOR

24 JUNE 2021 /

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FIRST FLOOR

Shelving at each end of the island unit is the ideal place to keep cookbooks and accessories. The lights hanging above were salvaged from a factory and restored by Drew Pritchard Antiques ABOVE LEFT The couple installed the kitchen themselves. The worksurface and splashback are Durat, a solid surface material that contains recycled plastics and is 100 per cent recyclable MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 25

‘We decided to do the design and build ourselves, which also meant we’d be mortgage free’

HOMES SCOTLAND

their expertise to create their own home. ‘Ideally we would have built a kit house,’ says Mhairi. ‘But back in 2014 when we first started we couldn’t get any prefabricated or modular building companies to commit to adjusting their products to our performance needs. So we decided to do the design and build ourselves, which also meant that we would be mortgage free at the end.

It was worth it from that perspective.’

Their vision for the design was contemporary and innovative. ‘Using Passivhaus principles, the form of the house would be compact – a square footprint in this case – orientated south,’ Mhairi explains. ‘We then came up with the idea of a box within a box.’ This structure at the centre of the house includes the staircase and built-in storage such as a plywood drinks cabinet and bookshelves.

It’s made from engineered oak boards which have been stained black to bring out the grain of the wood.

All the plumbing services are also housed in the twostorey structure. ‘This kept the ducting short and the systems very efficient. It also allowed us to have all the living spaces around the perimeter, tracking natural light throughout the day,’ says Mhairi.

The couple carried out a lot of the construction work themselves, including laying the insulated raft foundation. Martin took 12 weeks off work and, with two joiners, built the twin-wall timber frame. The couple then installed all the wood-fibre insulation. ‘It was straightforward, just very time consuming,’ Mhairi recalls.

They chose untreated larch cladding for the exterior because it is sustainable and weathers beautifully. ‘It took

LEFT Situated just above the snug, the office doubles as a fourth bedroom RIGHT The snug contains a Danish timber shelving unit that Mhairi’s parents bought in the 1970s

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 27

HOMES SCOTLAND

LEFT The stairs, which conceal integrated drawers, have a beech handrail made by Mhairi’s father RIGHT Either side of Mhairi and Martin’s bed are Folded Shelves by Muuto BELOW To minimise clutter, a bespoke Fun Makes Good curtain stands in front of this 606 Universal Shelving system by Vitsoe

28 JUNE 2021 /

MAGAZINE.COM

To help achieve the Passivhaus standard the couple wanted, the windows are triple glazed

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 29

A bespoke sliding door by Joachim King Furniture opens to reveal the groundfloor bedroom

30 JUNE 2021 /

MAGAZINE.COM

HOMES SCOTLAND

us four summers to complete the cladding, working every weekend and any time we could manage,’ says Mhairi.

To help the house achieve the Passivhaus standard the couple wanted, the windows are triple glazed.

Inside, four thermostatically controlled infrared panels provide warmth when required, and a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system brings fresh air into every room. Solar panels on the roof heat the water, while a photovoltaic system provides power. As well as being Passivhaus-certified, the house also attained the gold level for sustainability according to Scottish Building

Standards. ‘We’d never done this before, and I think we’ve shown that it is certainly doable for self-builders,’ Mhairi says. ‘Our home feels so comfortable, fresh and warm.’

Now they’re able to enjoy the rewards of all their hard work, the couple would consider taking on another self-build. ‘We would love to do it again, but not in the same way,’ says Mhairi. ‘We wouldn’t start until we had enough money to complete it and more people to help with the build. There are more companies doing Passivhaus kits than when we started, so it would be more straightforward.

Neither of us wants to tackle a lengthy project again.’

ABOVE Martin designed the geometric pattern for the ground-floor bathroom tiles, which Mhairi fitted. The joinery below the bath is by Joachim King Furniture

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 31

HOMES SCOTLAND Mhairi created the rockery from stones that were either salvaged locally or dug up on site

S U PPL I E R S – PROJECT TEAM Architect and Passivhaus designer Paper Igloo (paperigloo.com) Engineer Clyde Design Partnership (clydedesign.co.uk) Passivhaus certifier Will South of Etude (etude.co.uk) Electrical testing and completion Knowire (knowire.co.uk) STRUCTURE MVHR system Paul Heat Recovery (paulheatrecovery.co.uk) Isoquick foundation system Insulated Floors (01202 600644)

32 JUNE 2021 /

Windows Unilux (unilux.de) Rooflights Lamilux (lamilux.co.uk) Staircase, internal plywood joinery and internal sliding doors Joachim King Furniture (joachimking.com) Solar thermal panels and photovoltaic panels AC Gold (acgoldelectrical.co.uk) External wall insulation Ecological Building Systems (ecologicalbuildingsystems.com), Ecomerchant (ecomerchant.co.uk) Proprietary airtightness board, membrane, tapes and grommets Ecological Building Systems Flat roof waterproofing and sedum roof covering Bauder (bauder.co.uk)

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Structural timber and Siberian larch cladding Rowan Timber (woodrowtimber.co.uk) Sprinkler system Aquablaze (aquablaze.co.uk) Siberian larch decking Russwood (russwood.co.uk) FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Pronorm kitchen Affordable Luxuries (affordableluxuries.co.uk) Kitchen lights Drew Pritchard Antiques (drewpritchard.co.uk) Bathroom fixtures and fittings Martin Craig Design Studio (martin-craig.co.uk)

Basins Lusso (lussostone.com) Infrared heating panels Yandiya (yandiyatechnologies.com) Bathroom tiles Domus (domusgroup.com) Linoleum floor covering Forbo (forbo.com) FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Dining table Made (made.com) Sofas Cassina (cassina.com), Made Bed Habitat (habitat.co.uk) Bedroom shelving Vitsoe (vitsoe.com) Bedside shelves Muuto (muuto.com) Curtain Fun Makes Good (funmakesgood.co.uk) Art Hagendornhagen (hagedornhagen.com), Lys Hansen (lyshansen.co.uk)

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01952 200 444

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M U LT I - F U E L

HOMES EAST SUSSEX

Easy living The renovation of this mid-century house centred around creating a relaxed, open-plan home WORDS MA XINE BR ADY PHOTOGR APHY DAVID WOOLLEY

IN BRIEF –

LOCATION Hove, East Sussex TYPE OF PROPERTY 1960s detached house BEDROOMS 5 PROJECT STARTED November 2018 PROJECT FINISHED October 2019 SIZE 213sqm PURCHASE PRICE £800,000 BUILD COST £220,000

Nestled amid greenery at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, the house is clad in larch, which has been treated for a weathered finish

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 35

I

t took Sofie Templeton and her husband Ed two years of house-hunting to find a property they liked, hidden at the end of a cul-de-sac in Hove, East Sussex. ‘We love the architecture of 1960s buildings, and looked for homes built in that era,’ says Ed. ‘We must have viewed 40 houses before we found this one.’

As the founders of Soul & Surf, a range of boutique holiday resorts and retreats in Sri Lanka, India and Portugal, Ed, 49, and Sofie, 42, split their time between the UK and abroad with their son Kit, six. ‘We wanted our new home to have a similar feel to our place in Sri Lanka, where the rooms flow from one to the next,’ says Ed. The previous owners had lived in the house since it was built in 1961. ‘It hadn’t been touched for years,’ explains Sofie. ‘The interior would have been the height of fashion back in the day, but it had become worn and threadbare. There was a turquoise bathroom, a mauve shower in a small cupboard, canary yellow basins and a small kitchen, plus it was carpeted throughout – even in the bathrooms.’ Although it needed a total

36 JUNE 2021 /

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ABOVE The hallway and the living area can be kept separate by pocket doors designed by the architect to slide back into the wall cavity RIGHT Sliding doors to the garden span the entire downstairs living area. This has been transformed into an open-plan space to cook, entertain and relax in

HOMES EAST SUSSEX

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 37

refurbishment, the structure of the building was sound, and with a large south-facing garden it was an ideal renovation project for the couple.

As the family are based in Sri Lanka for six months of the year, they didn’t have much time to get things organised. ‘In April 2018 we moved in and started searching for an architect,’ says Ed. ‘We wanted to work with a local practice that had completed similar projects and understood our vision. It also needed to be able to project manage the build while we were abroad.’

Grant Shepherd from Sussex-based Alter & Company worked within the footprint of the house to come up with a design for the internal renovations and landscaping. The downstairs space would be reconfigured, with floor-toceiling glazed sliding doors along the length of the house, and the position of the staircase altered to allow daylight into the hallway. ‘Grant was very down to earth and we loved his portfolio,’ says Ed. A wall was taken down between the kitchen and dining room to create an open-plan layout, and the space was 38 JUNE 2021 /

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HOMES EAST SUSSEX

The polished concrete floating hearth that runs the length of the living area was inspired by the work of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa FAR LEFT Sofie and Ed kept the original fireplace surround, but covered it in black ceramic tiles to create a central block that helps to section off the living spaces

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 39

LEFT The couple were keen to draw attention to the original features, including the 1960s staircase, balustrade and handrail. The teak steps were inlaid with oak parquet to match the flooring throughout house.

RIGHT Kit’s southfacing bedroom has views over the trees framed by box windows. The floating storage desk keeps things clutter-free

F L O O R PL A N S

EN SUITE BATHROOM

DRESSING ROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOM BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR

GARAGE

WC LIVING ROOM

UTILITY

BEDROOM YOGA ROOM

DINING AREA EN SUITE

KITCHEN

GROUND FLOOR

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HOMES EAST SUSSEX

enlarged by moving an internal wall, with an old boiler room and study turned into a new utility room and guest bedroom, while the conservatory became a yoga studio.

With the staircase flipped around, the upstairs was partly redesigned with a shower room and a section of a bedroom combined to create a big family bathroom.

A separate shower room and WC was turned into a bigger en-suite bathroom.

Certain features of the house, such as the courtyard garden and the walkway, were inspired by the work of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, known as the father of tropical modernism. ‘The exciting part was seeing these ideas emerge in Alter & Company’s concept drawings. They went beyond our expectations.’ says Ed.

Sofie and Ed were inspired by the work of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa The plan was for the renovations to take place while the family were working, and the couple prepared as much as they could before heading to Sri Lanka in November 2018.

This included getting planning permission for the larch wood cladding and the expansion of the windows. ‘We were running the gauntlet by squeezing the design and planning process into such a short timeframe,’ says Sofie.

‘It was also a struggle to find contractors who could do

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 41

what we needed within our budget. We finally found our building firm two months after we planned to start work.’

In December 2018 the house was completely gutted, with all the internal walls taken down and new insulation installed on the ground floor. ‘The house was stripped back to its bones and a steel framework put in to support the windows, doors and staircase,’ explains Grant. Pipework and power were fitted in the roof space for solar panels, along with the new insulation.

That Christmas, Sofie and Ed came home to a building site. ‘We dashed around shops and suppliers to pick out bathroom suites, radiators and tiling for the house, and did everything we could to keep everything right on track,’ says Sofie.

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Despite their efforts, the project missed its deadline by six months and they had no option but to move back in.

‘We came back from Sri Lanka in March 2019 and most of the house was nearly ready,’ says Sofie. ‘The box frame windows and family bathroom were in and most of the exterior work was finished apart from the garden. But we only had a basic kitchen with a temporary ply worksurface.’

Not ones to dwell over setbacks, Sofie and Ed pushed ahead with the final refurbishments. ‘My favourite part is the fireplace with the tiled column that you can see through into the kitchen,’ says Sofie. ‘We love that the living space overlooks the garden, and the pocket doors are great for sectioning off rooms for different uses. We’re so grateful for the amount of extra space we have.’

HOMES EAST SUSSEX A pocket door painted the same shade as the walls opens to reveal the en-suite bathroom, which was created by combining a separate shower room and WC

ABOVE In the main bedroom the oak box frame around the window doubles as a seat. The furniture was chosen to echo the wood’s warm tones RIGHT Hexagonal natural stone tiles wrap around the walls in the family bathroom.

A large acrylic stone tub with gold fittings adds a touch of luxury

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 43

HOMES EAST SUSSEX

The 250mm-deep cladding has created box windows that give the house a distinctive look. The couple plan to cover the walkway to mimic the design of Sri Lankan homes

S U PPL I E R S – PROJECT TEAM Architects, interior design and project management Grant Shepherd and Leith Mckenzie at Alter & Company (alterandcompany.com) Structural engineer Ings Engineering (ings-engineering.business.site) Approved inspector Total Building Control (total-buildingcontrol.co.uk) Health and safety principal designer LJT Associates (ljtassociates.co.uk)

44 JUNE 2021 /

Planning consultant Lewis & Co (lewisplanning.co.uk) STRUCTURE Windows and doors Smart Systems (smartsystems.co.uk) Wooden pocket doors H Malec Carpentry Services (maleccarpentry.co.uk)

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FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Bath CP Hart (cphart.co.uk)

Bathroom fixtures and fittings Victorian Plumbing (victorianplumbing.co.uk) Bathroom tiles Lusso (lussostone.com) Flooring Made of Wood (madeofwood.uk) Bedroom carpets Blatchingtons (carpet1st.co.uk) Tiles Mandarin Stone (mandarinstone.com), Tile Mountain (tilemountain.co.uk), Solus (solusceramics.com) Paint Brewers (brewers.co.uk) Ironmongery G Johns (gjohns.co.uk),

Buster + Punch (busterandpunch.com) Kitchen Howdens (howdens.com) Appliances Appliance City (appliancecity.co.uk) Lighting Ideas4Lighting (ideas4lighting.com), SCP (scp.co.uk) Heating Feature Radiators (featureradiators.co.uk) FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Sofa Made (made.com)

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As award winning architects and designers we aspire to create extraordinary buildings and spaces for our clients, sometimes from the most difficult of design briefs. Central to our philosophy is that good design should reflect the needs of our clients and respond to the surrounding environment.

Pushing the boundaries of design we are able to achieve timeless, highly innovative and sustainable projects. We offer a complete design service from initial advice through to the completion of your project.

We complete works all over the UK and internationally with construction budgets from £250,000.

Please take a look around our website and email us or call with your new project enquiry for a free consultation.

Tye Architects t: 01525 406677 e: nicolas@tyearchitects.com w: www.tyearchitects.com

new builds

extensions

conversions

HOMES NORTH LONDON

All the mod cons Stripped back and minimalist, this Victorian house is packed full of smart technology and has been retrofitted to the highest level of energy efficiency WORDS JAYNE DOWLE PHOTOGR APHY JEFFERSON SMITH

To minimise the number of switches on the walls, the smart home system that Andrew designed can be controlled via phone

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 47

IN BRIEF –

W

hen Andrew and Pascale Eland moved back to London from San Francisco, USA, because they wanted their children educated in England, they were looking for a home with the modern, minimalist lines they liked. ‘We couldn’t find anywhere suitable within walking distance of our children’s school, so we started to look for a house to renovate instead,’ says Andrew.

The couple, both in their forties, found a property that had hardly been touched for years and needed work. They decided on a full Passivhaus retrofit, involving gutting the house and creating a super-insulated timber-and-plywood structure to sit inside the brick shell. This enabled it to meet the Passive House Institute’s strict Enerphit standard for retrofits, which demands high levels of airtightness.

The new structure is kept away from the exterior brickwork to stop the cold transferring. ‘Think of it as a building within a building,’ says architect David Eland, Andrew’s younger brother, and a director at OEB Architects.

ABOVE The front elevation of Andrew and Pascale’s house gives no clues as to the dramatic reconstruction that has taken place inside

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LOCATION Kentish Town, north London TYPE OF PROPERTY Victorian terrace BEDROOMS 4 PROJECT STARTED May 2017 PROJECT FINISHED August 2019 SIZE 240sqm LAND COST £2 million BUILD COST £800,000

HOMES NORTH LONDON

Bursts of colour, such as the burnt orange Hay stools at the kitchen island, become focal points amid the house’s neutral colour palette

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 49

The house meets the Passive House Institute’s strict Enerphit standard for retrofits

White walls throughout the house reflect the light and enhance the sense of space.

The pendant is by ACDC

HOMES NORTH LONDON

LEFT The plywood larder and cabinets have been precisely designed with the family’s needs in mind.

There is a place for everything and the surfaces and floors are kept uncluttered

The timber frame was installed stud by stud, working upwards from the raft foundation – used when the ground isn’t suitable for a deep foundation. Gaps where the 19th-century walls weren’t true were filled with spray foam insulation, and airtightness was achieved using robust Smartply Propassiv board with the highest-quality windows and doors specified, including triple-glazed replacement sliding sashes.

Andrew, who is a software engineer, and Pascale, a secondary school science teacher, together with their daughters Zia, eight, and Noémie, five, rented a house nearby for the duration of the project. Planning permission was easy to obtain – despite the dramatic demolition of the internal structure, the energy-efficient elements of the build scored highly with the local planning authority.

Andrew and his brother grew up working on building sites beside their father Clive, so both had some handson experience. But until this project the most complex renovation Andrew had undertaken was a kitchen refit. ‘It seemed a bit daunting when we’d ripped the entire interior out,’ he says. ‘It was church-like, an empty shell of a house.’

David was keen to test his Enerphit abilities and deliver something that would be sustainable and liveable. ‘I wanted to create a family home with spaces that will adapt over the years,’ he says. To this end, the upper level rooms are defined by a series of 900mm-deep storage walls placed

ABOVE Using the full ceiling height across the ground floor, ending with large windows that open out onto the garden, brings a sense of space to the open-plan living areas

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 51

HOMES NORTH LONDON

LEFT A sinuous new staircase winds through the house, echoing the original, which had a continuous handrail with traditional spindles BELOW The family bathroom is suitably streamlined and contemporary with neat storage solutions. The bright yellow step-stool is from Ikea

‘I wanted to create a family home with spaces that will adapt over the years’

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at right angles to each other. These give a sense of solidity to the house and contain functional elements such as the plumbing and technology. Crucially, they are flexible, and components can be swapped between rooms and adapted as Zia and Noémie grow and the family’s needs evolve.

The cabinets were designed as a modular system with dimensions and fixtures that are common throughout, allowing for things such as a built-in desk to be exchanged for a wardrobe and drawers, as needed.

On the ground floor, there’s an open-plan living room, kitchen and dining area, with doors leading out to the garden. The first floor contains the children’s bedroom, a guest room and bathroom. The second floor includes the main bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a guest bedroom and an office, a light-filled glass-and-steel structure which replaces a 1960s copper-clad mansard roof extension.

The project has also provided an outlet for Andrew’s technology skills as he devised the house’s smart home system. This, he stresses, does not just deliver a tailor-made approach to energy use and everyday living, it is also an ongoing personal research project to evaluate the house’s performance and inform decisions about how automation might evolve in the future.

RIGHT The original sash windows in the main bedroom and throughout the house have been upgraded to ultra-energyefficient triple glazing

F L O O R PL A N S STUDY

DINING AREA BATHROOM

WC BEDROOM

BEDROOM

LIVING ROOM

GROUND FLOOR

COVERED ENTRANCE

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR

EN SUITE

SECOND FLOOR

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 53

He used a KNX system to connect together all the switches, lighting, heating and sensors. It is open standard, which means it allows devices from different manufacturers to communicate with each other.

The rooms only have a couple of switches on the wall, in order to control the main lighting and blinds. The lesser-used ones, such as those that set the room temperature, are accessed from a panel on the ground floor, or via a smartphone. Sensors in each room feed temperature and carbon dioxide levels back to the heating and MVHR system, and trigger lighting if people move around the house at night. Andrew wrote custom software to record the sensor data and monitor it for any problems.

In a quirky, personalised touch, the web of smart home services remains visible throughout the house, threading through the plywood in a brightly coloured powder-coated conduit. But for all the structural ingenuity and technical know-how that has transformed this typical terrace into an energy-efficient smart success, it is first and foremost a family home, and Andrew and Pascale’s favourite spot is sitting downstairs looking out on to their garden.

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LEFT The outrigger rear extension was brought up to date with a new top-floor office with large picture windows

HOMES NORTH LONDON

LEFT In the office the plywood shelving is a feature in itself.

Having enough space to work at home was crucial for Andrew and Pascale RIGHT The soft landscaping and planting scheme were created by a local garden centre. The raised planter doubles as a seat

S U PPL I E R S – PROJECT TEAM Architect OEB Architects (oebarchitects.co.uk) Contractor Bow Tie Construction (bowtieconstruction.co.uk) Passivhaus consultant Cando (candodesign.co.uk) Joinery and kitchen Harbour Joinery Workshop (harbourjoineryworkshop.com) Landscaping Boma Garden Centre (bomagardencentre.co.uk) Structural engineer BJSE Consulting Structural Engineers (bjse.co.uk)

KNX intelligent systems installation Future Ready Homes (futurereadyhomes.com) Thermal modelling Eight Associates (eightassociates.co.uk)

Solar shading, panels and battery Spirit Energy (spiritenergy.co.uk) Networking Unifi (ui.com) Doors Shadbolt (shadbolt.co.uk)

STRUCTURE Sash windows, MVHR and doors Green Building Store (greenbuildingstore.co.uk) Patio glazing Skyframe (skyframe.com) Office glazing Cantifix (cantifix.co.uk) Side-return glazing IQ Glass (iqglassuk.com) Switches, sockets and automation Gira (gira.com)

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Oak floor Dinesen (dinesen.com) Porcelain bathroom tiles Design Works (designworkstiles.com) Floor tiles, covered entrance Domus (domusgroup.com) Kitchen and bathroom Vola (vola.com) Lighting ACDC (acdclighting.com)

Office and garden lighting twentytwentyone (twentytwentyone.com) FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Living room shelving Vitsoe (vitsoe.com) Dining chairs Vitra (vitra.com) Kitchen stools Hay (hay.dk) Living room lamp Ligne Roset (ligne-roset.com) Living room sofas Design Within Reach (dwr.com) Bathroom stool Ikea (ikea.com)

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 55

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HOMES SOUTH LONDON

The right place Efficient storage solutions were an important element of the remodelling of this former council house WORDS AMY FREARSON PHOTOGR APHY JIM STEPHENSON

A built-in cupboard for coats and shoes functions as a screen wall between the living room and the front door. Open shelves provide a display space for ornaments and artwork MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 57

HOMES SOUTH LONDON

I

t’s not always easy to see the potential a would-be home has to offer. A 1980s ex-council house with uPVC windows, false partitions and patterned wallpaper would be an instant turn-off for many, but Bernadette Sexton, 40, was able to look past the dodgy decor and transform the nondescript property in Bermondsey, London, into a minimalist haven. It needed stripping back to its skeleton, but it had good bones.

Bernadette works as a global development consultant for clients including governments and non-governmental organisations – a job that has taken her around the world.

Twelve years ago she decided to make London her base.

She initially rented in Bermondsey before buying a flat three miles south, in Brockley. While Bernadette loved having her own place, she missed being within walking distance of the city. ‘It was really nice, but it was very much suburbia,’ she explains, ‘and I’ve always wanted to be as close to the centre of London as possible.’ So she couldn’t believe her luck when she found a house for

IN BRIEF –

LOCATION Bermondsey, south London TYPE OF PROPERTY Terraced house renovation BEDROOMS 2 PROJECT STARTED August 2019 PROJECT FINISHED July 2020 SIZE 80sqm HOUSE COST £530,000 RENOVATION COST £105,000

ABOVE Bernadette’s Bermondsey home is a former council house that was built in the 1980s. Although all of the original glazing was replaced during the renovation, the exterior of the property looks much the same as it did before 58 JUNE 2021 /

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The entrance has been transformed from a small, enclosed porch into a double-height space. The Viabizzuno glass pendant creates a focal point, while the wall features a montage of photos from Bernadette’s travels

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HOMES SOUTH LONDON

sale in her old neighbourhood that was not just affordable but also bigger than her flat.

Although it didn’t have the Victorian period character of her previous home, Bernadette felt that there was something promising about this simple, double-fronted house, with its plain brick walls and steeply sloping roof. With two storeys and 80sqm of floor area, there was plenty of space to make her own and it had great connection to the outdoors, thanks to small patio gardens at the front and back. She realised she could completely transform it without doing anything to the exterior, it just needed a more efficient layout and a better approach to interior design.

Having never worked on a construction project before, Bernadette had no idea how to find the right architect to suit her needs. Design for Me (designfor-me.com), an architecture matchmaking service, helped her draw up a shortlist, but after meeting Anamaria Pircu and Bogdan Rusu of Vatraa, she was confident they were the ones. The pair take a holistic approach to architecture and interiors, so could guide Bernadette through the entire renovation process. ‘Our first meeting was three hours long, so I knew there would be attention to detail,’ says Bernadette.

Out went the overpowering colours, patterns and textures, replaced by a softer, more unified look. The walls are bare plaster, ceiling beams are exposed and painted

French doors in the living room open onto the rear patio garden.

The plaster has been left exposed throughout much of the house, giving a warm pink tone RIGHT The architects designed several bespoke pieces of furniture, including this oak sideboard

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 61

HOMES SOUTH LONDON

In the dining room a deep-set window doubles as an extra seat at the table, along with a custom-made bench with storage inside and a set of Carl Hansen chairs RIGHT The original bay window was replaced with a bigger, square one, so Bernadette can look out on her front patio while she’s sitting at the table 62 JUNE 2021 /

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HOMES SOUTH LONDON

‘Our first meeting was three hours long, so I knew there would be attention to detail’ white, and the old carpets have been replaced by oak floors. Decoration is kept to an absolute minimum, yet the rooms feel cosy thanks to the warm tones of the materials.

Storage was key to creating the sense of spaciousness.

A self-confessed storage obsessive, Anamaria likes to know from the outset what is going where – not just furniture, but everything from spare bedding to Christmas decorations – so she can plan the rooms accordingly. Every built-in cupboard is designed with a specific use in mind to ensure no space is wasted. ‘You can’t leave anything to chance,’ she says. ‘We even had drawings of the shelves so we knew where we were going to put every little thing.’

On the ground floor, this led to a reorganisation of the larder and utility spaces that slot in behind the staircase, dividing the living room on one side, and the kitchen and dining room on the other. By relocating the door to the utility room, which is where the boiler and washing machine are kept, this small cupboard could become even more compact. In turn, the kitchen became more generous, and includes a long run of space-efficient, built-in pantry cupboards.

Gains in room height were considered just as important as floor area. Exposing the ceiling beams allowed the ground-floor rooms to become taller,

F L O O R PL A N S

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

DINING AREA BATHROOM

BEDROOM LOUNGE WALK-IN WARDROBE

GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 63

HOMES SOUTH LONDON In the combined kitchen and dining room, the worksurface lines up with the oak bench, while the fitted pantry cupboards disguise the difference in width between the two spaces

The kitchen includes a long run of space-efficient, built-in pantry cupboards while the removal of a suspended ceiling revealed a previously sealed triangular pocket of space, making the entrance double-height. Formerly an enclosed porch, this area now feels like part of the living room, with its partition walls swapped for something more functional: a built-in cupboard for coats and shoes.

Applying the same strategy upstairs, the bathroom and hallway were reorganised, making it possible for the bedrooms to be subdivided. Bernadette’s room now has a walk-in wardrobe slotted beneath the eaves, while the guest room has a cupboard space that can double as a home office. ‘When I walk around the house now, I can’t find any space that’s inefficient,’ says Bernadette.

‘I love efficiency, it brings joy to my life.’

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Bespoke shelves adjoin the wall cabinets, softening the transition between the kitchen and dining area

The ceiling beams have been exposed. Though they are unevenly spaced and some are warped, these imperfections have been celebrated by painting the beams white

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 65

To make the 80cm-wide staircase feel bigger, a skylight was installed overhead, allowing light to bounce off the reflective pink plaster walls

HOMES SOUTH LONDON

The proportions of Bernadette’s bedroom were based on the size of her bed, ensuring there would be enough space to move around it

With their details-focused approach, Anamaria and Bogdan found clever ways to elevate simple elements.

New glazing was installed throughout, including a square window that doubles as a seat at the dining table and a skylight framed by a curve in the ceiling. Skirtings were neatly recessed, while the plaster was applied by a specialist to create a reflective finish. Their aim was not to make it immaculate, but to find beauty in the imperfections.

‘There’s a combination of rough and delicate elements in the house,’ explains Anamaria. ‘The hallway light has

a very gentle, feminine shape and in contrast with the roughness of the joists and the unevenness of the plaster finish, they balance each other.’

Bernadette is so happy with the results that she now goes back to the pair for advice on all of her decorating decisions, whether it’s buying soft furnishings or hanging pictures. ‘I think what really developed with Anamaria and Bogdan was the whole personality of the house,’ she says. ‘Now it all feels like one room and it has its own character.’

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 67

HOMES SOUTH LONDON

Behind a white curtain next to the window, the guest bedroom includes a cupboard that can double as an office

S U PPL I E R S – PROJECT TEAM Architect Vatraa (vatraa.com) Landscape consultant Anca Panait Studio (ancapanaitstudio.com) Structural engineer Structurehaus (structurehaus.com) Contractor TZ Building & Decorating Services (tzbuilding.co.uk) Landscape contractor Tom’s Garden Management (tomsgardenmanagement.com) STRUCTURE Windows and external doors Skyglaze (skyglaze.co.uk) Internal doors Barausse (barausse.com) Skylights Roof Maker (roof-maker.co.uk), Velux (velux.co.uk) ABOVE Corten steel planting boxes define the layout of the rear patio garden.

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FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Kitchen Ikea (ikea.com), Husk (madebyhusk.com) Flooring Boen (boen.com) Plaster walls British Gypsum (british-gypsum.com) Lighting Foscarini (foscarini.com), Viabizzuno (viabizzuno.com) Radiators Big Bathroom Shop (bigbathroomshop.co.uk) FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Sofa Sofa Workshop (sofaworkshop.com) Carl Hansen CH20 dining chairs Cimmermann (cimmermann.uk) Main bed Natural Bed Company (naturalbedcompany.co.uk) Dining table, bench and TV stand Designed and supplied by Vatraa

ADVERTISING PROMOTION Energy-efficient glazing is a key feature of this stunning home’s design

AIMING HIGH For a design-led home that has been built to a premium standard, choose Baufritz Baufritz understands that its clients want the guaranteed quality that comes with prefabrication. At the same time, clients may also feel that the standard house-manufacturing model constrains their ability to achieve their ideal home design. This is why Baufritz pursues a different approach to the usual building process.

Homes built by the company are made of standard building blocks which have been perfected over thousands of projects, and allow plenty of flexibility in how they can be configured. Baufritz has a team of innovative architects who love pushing the boundaries and listening to clients’ needs, shaping their requirements into designs that are both striking and functional. Many clients opt for their own customised elements and Baufritz is happy to accommodate these into

the design. As the company’s own architects understand the Baufritz manufacturing process, cost, schedule, and quality risks are mitigated.

Once the designs are converted into manufacturing plans, the factory build and quality assurance process takes over. This means a certain standard must be met before the elements can be transported for on-site assembly.

Behind the scenes, the company’s research and development facility constantly improves the components, so the clients know the completed house will be extremely sustainable, both in terms of the materials used and the energy rating.

Baufritz allows its customers to enjoy the best of both worlds: design-led architecture paired with the certainty that comes from a top-quality house manufacturer.

TOP Interconnecting modules are shipped to site and craned into place ABOVE This completed Baufritz house was customised by the client ● For more information, visit baufritz.co.uk or email enquiries@baufritz.co.uk MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 69

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PROJECTS

PHOTOGRAPHY TIM CROCKER

This house in Kensal Green, London, makes good use of natural materials. Turn to page 89 for more healthy homes

Renovation diary: part 19

Houses built in a hurry

How to have a healthy home

Outdoor lighting guide

Groundsource heat pump advice

75

79

89

99

105

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 73

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We have manufactured and installed fully bespoke high-quality staircases and balustrades into some of the most prestigious properties all over the UK.

S&L Engineering is based in March, Cambridgeshire but we install nationwide.

We create totally bespoke to the customers needs, which means all staircases and wrought iron work are designed to fit perfectly into or around your home and suit the lifestyle that you lead, as well as budget.

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PROJECTS RENOVATION DIARY

The newly painted ceiling and steel beams are fire-resistant

Completing a vital safety measure

WORDS NAME HERE PHOTOGRAPHY NAME HERE

There are five days of upheaval for the family when the main living area is off limits

Reena Simon, 38, interior stylist and blogger (hyggeforhome.com), lives in Cardiff, Wales, with her husband Matt, 42, and their three young daughters.

Follow the family’s progress each month as they convert a 1960s bungalow into a two-storey home

The weeks are flying by and life has been busy. The warmer weather and lighter days have spurred us on and we’ve made further progress towards completing the renovation we’ve been working on for almost a year.

Structurally, everything in the house is done and the latest job we can tick off the list is the fireproofing of the downstairs ceiling, along with its exposed timber ceiling joists and steel beams. As project managers who have never tackled a major

build project before, Matt and I have both been learning exactly what to do as we go along.

Several months ago, before we moved in, we met with a building control officer, who indicated the measures that needed to be taken to meet the necessary fire-safety regulations. Unfortunately, we had to move in sooner than expected – and before the house was properly finished – which meant not having a fire-resistant ceiling.

MAGAZINE.COM / MAY 2021 75

We had two options at this point: to retrofit a sprinkler system or have the area sprayed with intumescent paint. It quickly became apparent that fitting a sprinkler system was too expensive and would have meant having exposed pipework, which we didn’t want.

The spray painting cost £5,000, and we were able to find a local company specialising in residential work, but having the white-washed finish I wanted wasn’t possible because intumescent paint is not translucent. Due to lockdown rules, we had to stay in the house during the work, so the company sourced water-based paint for most of the coverage, rather than solvent-based formulas that give off fumes.

We made a temporary camp upstairs and ate takeaway meals for five days because the kitchen was out of bounds. The entire open-plan living area was completely masked off with plastic sheets and red tape – it looked a bit like a crime scene.

The ceiling and the exposed timber joists were tackled first.

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The open-plan living area was masked off with plastic sheets and red tape – it looked a bit like a crime scene Everything was keyed and sanded, to make sure that the paint would bond to the surface, and the knots in the timber were spot primed. Two layers of intumescent paint were finished with a top coat, which could be in a colour of our choosing, so we picked a shade that matched the plaster ceilings upstairs. The company also sourced a matt finish, which was great news as the only options we had come across prior to that were satin or gloss.

They then moved on to the steel beams, which were already black, but had to have two layers of the white intumescent paint followed

MAGAZINE.COM

Reena helped design the Isla table, named after her eldest daughter. From £1,710, Vamp Industries (vampindustries.net) ABOVE LEFT Before they were painted, the pine ceiling joists made the space feel small and enclosed ABOVE RIGHT The new top coat is intended to make the steel staircase more scratch-resistant

by a matt black top coat. We also refreshed our steel staircase, which had got scratched during the build, using the same top coat applied to the beams for continuity. This was the quickest part of the process, with fewer layers needed as the staircase, which is not a supporting structure, did not need fireproofing.

PROJECTS RENOVATION DIARY

RENOVATION PROJECT PLANNING GUIDE

1

FINDING A PLOT OR RUNDOWN PROPERTY Search via land and property websites, contact local estate agents and get on the mailing lists for upcoming property auctions.

2

SEEK PLANNING PERMISSION It’s required before you start any work, apart from changes completed under permitteddevelopment rules.

3

SET A BUDGET AND HIRE YOUR TEAM Work out a budget and then secure funds as a priority. Seek recommendations for architects and builders. Visit their completed projects.

4 PROJECT TEAM Architect Downs Merrifield Architects (downsmerrifield.com) Builder REG Construction (regconstruction.co.uk) Concrete floor Premier Concrete Design (premierconcretedesign.co.uk) Electrics Liam Broad Electrical (07948 834166) Flooring Waxed Floors (waxedfloors.co.uk) Glazed doors Maxlight (maxlight.co.uk) Interior architecture Alex Nikjoo (nikjoo.co.uk) Kitchen Devol (devolkitchens.co.uk) Landscape architect Victoria Wade Landscape Architecture (victoriawade.co.uk) Lighting Nicholas Merchent, Home Lighting & Design (hldstudio.com) Planning consultant LRM Planning (lrmplanning.com) Plaster Vale Venetian (valevenetian.com) Staircase Ad Hoc Designs (adhocdesigns.co.uk) Woodburner Topstak (topstak.co.uk) Worksurface Caesarstone (caesarstone.co.uk) Spray painting Dragon Coatings (dragoncoatings.co.uk)

MANAGE THE PROJECT Give your team a clear brief for the build. Set a schedule of works and make sure that the legally binding construction contract is ready.

5

MAKE REGULAR INSPECTIONS Visit the site to ensure that everything is in order and the work is progressing as planned. Address any issues as they arise.

6 PHOTOGRAPHY MARIE PALBOM

REENA’S RENOVATION TIP With this job finished, we can secure Building Regulations sign-off, which is obviously a major milestone.

We just need to submit the relevant certificates (fire, electrics, gas etc) then have the work inspected.

Fitting the internal glass doors is next on the list. After spending so much time inside during lockdown,

Research Building Regulation requirements before committing to structural design features – particularly if your inspiration has come from homes in countries where the rules are different.

we have decided to close off spaces that we were going to leave open. Our perspective on how we want to use the house has definitely changed postlockdown. The building control officer confirmed that the internal glass doors do not need to be fireproofed, which gives us more options for the frame materials we can use.

SIGN OFF THE PROJECT Take a tour of the finished work with your build team and note down any snags that need to be corrected before signing off on the renovation project.

● Next month: Looking back at the build with the end finally in sight

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 77

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10 Innovative construction methods can provide speedy build solutions WORDS JAYNE DOWLE

1

Homes in a hurry Finding a method which delivers results fast is the aim of many self-builders. Construction processes such as modular homes, timber frame designs, flat-pack kits and concrete systems allow build times to be significantly reduced to months, even weeks. This cuts down on the cost of labour and the need for project managers and architects to be involved for extended periods. These efficiencies also bring peace of mind to the owners, who know from the outset that the completion of their dream homes will happen sooner rather than later.

MODULAR MARVEL This Australian family retreat

was built off site as three modules at a factory in Brooklyn, Melbourne, Australia, then shipped 140 miles to the town of Kangaroobie, New South Wales. ‘The construction was complete within 12 weeks,’ says Prue Lavery, design manager at architecture firm Modscape. ‘The modules were taken out to the site and craned into place. Two weeks later the family moved in.’

The 342sqm house includes a 75sqm deck. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and was built on

a family-owned cattle farm for the equivalent of around £3,000 per sqm. The owners, who also live in Sydney, use their home at weekends and for holidays.

‘For clients who are building in a rural area while living in the city, modular construction allows them to visit the factory and see the construction progress without driving for hours to the site,’ says Prue.

The family also favoured this build type for its sustainability, as it produces 80 per cent less waste than traditional methods. (modscape.com.au)

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 79

2

ROBUST TURNKEY KIT

Built as a holiday home for Peter Finlayson, who was born on the Scottish island of Skye and regularly visits family there, this kit house by the sea in the village of Dunan has views across Loch na Cairidh to the nearby island of Scalpay.

The R.House modular system was designed to cope with bad weather and the difficult build conditions in remote areas, reducing construction time to an absolute minimum. ‘The house went up in a day and was wind and watertight within a week,’ says Christina Martin from R.House.

Peter’s family already owned the former crofter’s plot, and the build cost was approximately £155,188, including planning permission, building warrant, groundworks and utility connections, which comes as standard with the company’s turnkey solution.

As a single-storey R.House RB2 standard type, it has two double bedrooms, a family bathroom and a spacious open-plan kitchen, living and dining room with full-height windows to maximise the views of the stunning surrounding landscape. The exterior is clad in larch, which will weather gradually into the landscape. (ruralhouse.co.uk)

3

ADAPTED MODEL Innean Lodge in Machrihanish

Bay, Kintyre, Scotland, was erected in two weeks by Caber House, a company which does as much of the work off site as possible, including adding exterior panels to the structural elements. The home is owned by a retired couple who wanted to build a house on Machrihanish Bay as they have family in the area. The plot, which is at the south end, was bought for £80,000 with planning in principle, and the build cost was around £390,000.

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Caber House architect Colin Potter carried out detailed modelling to optimise the energy performance. By increasing the level of solar gain from a big south-facing window, as well as improving the insulation levels, he managed to achieve the Passivhaus Low Energy Standard. The house is based on the company’s standard 165sqm Type B model, but the design was amended to create two bedrooms, allowing for a seating area on the first floor in addition to the ground-floor living room. (caberhouse.co.uk)

PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE

INSULATED CONCRETE Amnis House is a four-bedroom home that was built for an IT consultant, his wife, who is an artist, and their two children at Ampney St Mary in the Cotswolds. Designed by architecture practice Bureau de Change (b-de-c.com) and built by Passive Building Structures (passivebuilding structures.com), it was finished in a little over a year using insulated concrete formwork (ICF).

‘This is a relatively modern method of construction,’ says Paul McKenna, sales director at Passive Building Structures.

4

‘Its advantages include an increased speed of construction, significant structural strength and durability, and better noise attenuation.’ It also allowed for large, well-insulated living spaces and a cantilevered central staircase.

Built for £500,000, and designed to meet Passivhaus principles, the 500sqm house is set on an insulated raft foundation with pre-cast concrete intermediate floors and a structural insulated panel (SIP) roofing system. Natural and neutral tones and textures feature inside and out – the house is clad in Cotswold dry wall stone and larch with a zinc roof and a copper finish for the walls surrounding the two patios.

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 81

5

FLAT-PACK FINESSE When Ian Dilks purchased

a three-acre plot in Greensgate, Weston Longville, Norfolk, for £340,000, he lived in a bungalow on site until his new house was ready. Designed in three sections and constructed from flat-pack SIPs, the five-bedroom 327sqm home is a collaboration between Ian, Scottish kit home company HebHomes (hebhomes.com) and Norwich-based SA Architectural Services (sastudio.co.uk). The build took less than a year from start to finish.

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‘Because it was a kit house, I knew that once we got underway there wouldn’t be any delays with the build,’ says Ian. ‘It gave me a sense of security and allowed me to input my own design ideas such as the glazed gable end in the 5m-high living area and the pop-out window in the studio room above the garage.’

The three structures cost £220,000 and finishing the house was around £500,000, including a swimming pool. When Ian’s home was complete, the bungalow was demolished to provide new outdoor space including a hammerhead-shaped driveway.

PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE

6

ENERGY-SAVING SOLUTION

Covid restrictions may have doubled the typical nHouse on-site completion time, even so this energy-efficient modular home at custom-build development Graven Hill, near Bicester, Oxfordshire, was still erected in only eight weeks.

The 156sqm house comprises six separate modules constructed from cross-laminated timber (CLT) in an off-site production facility.

It was built for a couple in the IT industry, who moved out of London as they can work from home. Costing a total of £575,000 for plot, foundations and build, the home is a threestorey nHouse5 model with an open-plan downstairs living area, five bedrooms, two balconies and a veranda.

A number of energy-saving innovations make the house cheap to run, including a solar array, air-source heat pump, energy storage batteries, electric car charger and an invisible skirting board heating system.

For extra light and space, its ceilings reach an average height of 2.7m, rising to 3.5m in the vaulted main bedroom. Internal light tubes bring daylight from the roof down to the ground floor and first floor. (the-nhouse.com)

The 156sqm house comprises six separate modules constructed from cross-laminated timber (CLT) in an off-site production facility

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 83

The Bradclad Group has been manufacturing metal standing seam roof systems in the UK for over 25 years.

Our ProSeam panel system is available in colour coated steel, aluminium, and stainless steel and is the perfect choice for your dream house.

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PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE

7

MODERN CUSTOM-BUILD Marc and Laura

Marsdale saw Facit Homes on Grand Designs, so when it came to choosing a company to build their new home at Graven Hill, near Bicester, Oxfordshire, they knew where to look. ‘Its unique process stuck in our minds,’ says Laura. ‘The house is designed using 3D digital software. Materials are delivered to site in sheet form and cut using the digital files on a CNC machine, which ensures each component matches.’

The couple, who have two young daughters, worked with Facit Homes to devise the three-storey Flower House, which has four bedrooms, a further bedroom/study, open-plan living space, snug, utility room and two bathrooms. It was completed in eight months for a total cost of £865,000.

Rhys Denbigh, director at Facit Homes, says the method speeds up construction, improves accuracy on site and removes the need to rework anything afterwards, which can be the cause of delays with traditionally built homes. (facit-homes.com)

8

TIMBER-FRAME DESIGN

For their traditional-style home in Rugeley, Staffordshire, Richard and Julie Attridge, who have two children, opted for a prefabricated oak frame house, manufactured off site, shipped to the plot and erected in five weeks.

‘Off-site construction reduces the build time, as well as labour and material costs because there’s less reliance on trades and multiple suppliers,’ says Gareth Edmunds, director at Welsh Oak Frame. Planning permission was already in place for the plot, where an old cottage was demolished, but Richard and Julie wanted to change the design plan, so they asked the company to create something bespoke.

Providing a sense of space as well as character, the oak beams are exposed to emphasise the soaring internal roof height of the 235sqm house. A local builder installed the polyisocyanurate rigid thermal insulation along the floors, walls and roof. With a build cost of approximately £459,000, excluding the basement, The Cottage has four bedrooms, one with an en-suite bathroom, an open-plan kitchen, dining, seating area, separate living room, hallway, utility room and study. (welshoakframe.com) MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 85

PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE

Nick and Charlotte Crichton opted for a timber-frame design for their new home in a rural southern England setting, demolishing their existing bungalow to build somewhere more suited to their young family’s needs.

The light-filled living spaces and big windows take advantage of the woodland surroundings and include an open-plan living/dining area, children’s playroom and four bedrooms. The white organic mineral plaster façade and natural wood cladding help the house blend with the landscape.

Designed and built off site by Baufritz, it cost around £1 million. It was shipped into place in sections and erected on site, where it took four days to construct the watertight shell. ‘When the modules arrive from the factory there is a high degree of certainty they will fit like a big jigsaw puzzle,’ says Oliver Rehm, CEO of Baufritz UK. (baufritz.com)

Hanlin is designed with a ‘fabric first’ approach to environmental performance, meaning the building does the work

TROPICAL TURNAROUND Bamboo House in the village of Pipa Beach, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, was built in ten months for a couple who spend half their year by the beach and the remaining time sailing the Mediterranean. They wanted the house, which stood on the site of their previous home in a gated community, erected quickly and with minimum fuss. ‘There was no time to generate the structural and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) plans with engineers, so we created simple structures that we could build ourselves,’ explains architect Daniel Flórez.

10

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Made from concrete blocks with internal steel bars for strength, the house’s MEP elements descend vertically from the roof and are hidden by the bamboo shading panels, which also help to keep the 200sqm building cool. Natural air-conditioning helps – the house has been oriented towards the prevailing winds, which cross the swimming pool and garden towards the three bedrooms, all with mezzanines. The living space, shaded by a wooden roof, is connected by a bridge to an outdoor living area, surrounded by local stone walls and Portuguese stone paving. The build cost was £50,000 approx. (vilelaflorez.com)

PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN MADDEN, NIGEL RIGDEN, DAVID BLAIR, GILBERT MCCARRAGHER, JOE LENTON, NHOUSE, MARTIN GARDNER, NIKHILESH HAVAL, BAUFRITZ, GUILLERMO F FLOREZ

9

PRECISION BUILD

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PROJECTS HEALTHY HOME

Build for wellbeing Ideas for new-build or renovation projects that foster good health WORDS CAROLINE RODRIGUES

ABOVE Designed by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects, this sustainable threebedroom house was built on an infill site in Kensal Green, London. See more of the project overleaf

Designers and architects are championing homes that have a positive impact on our mental and physical health. ‘Designing for wellbeing is not something you add on at the end,’ says architect Ben Channon, director at Ekkist (ekkist.co). ‘It affects every decision, from where you place a house on the

site to which tile adhesive you use.’ When planning a renovation or new-build, Ben recommends creating a relationship with nature. ‘This doesn’t just mean adding plants, it could also involve bringing in daylight, creating views out to landscapes, water, or the sky, or using natural materials,’ he says.

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Avoid chemical nasties Natural building materials with low embodied energy – ideally produced ethically and transported short distances – are beneficial from both a sustainability and a health perspective. Options include sustainably sourced timber, stone, cob and clay brick.

Using reclaimed materials will also keep a building’s embodied carbon footprint extremely low. But be aware that reclaimed items which have been treated or painted may release potentially harmful chemicals into the air, so use trusted suppliers or materials in their natural state.

Using reclaimed materials will keep a building’s embodied carbon footprint extremely low ‘Fired bricks and clay tiles are easy to reuse, they don’t contain nasty chemicals, plus they are energy intensive to make new,’ says Janna Laan Lomas, founding director at Grain Architecture (grainarchitecture.co.uk).

RIGHT AND BELOW This single-level house takes into account the needs of the owner, his mother, partner and son. The brief was for a healthy-living home using natural materials and with a low-maintenance garden that would become a habitat for wildlife. Sarah Wigglesworth Architects designed the £600,000 project on Passivhaus principles, with a highly airtight construction and an MVHR system (swarch.co.uk)

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PROJECTS HEALTHY HOME

Demolishing a 1950s extension to a cottage near Petersfield, Hampshire, gave Grain Architecture the opportunity to rebuild using breathable materials. The two-bedroom replacement uses reclaimed roof tiles and bricks, with old flooring turned into internal wall linings. The renovation and extension cost £200,000. (grainarchitecture.co.uk)

Regulate humidity It is possible to build the roof, floor and walls of a new home or extension with breathable materials and methods, avoiding plastic membranes. Vapouropen or breathable buildings allow the humidity to self-regulate through the walls without trapping moisture behind barriers. ‘This is often confused with airtightness, but they are not the same. You

can have a very airtight draught-proof house that is fully breathable,’ says Janna.

‘Using this type of construction prevents moisture build-up, reducing damp and mould to help ensure good indoor air quality. It also prevents water damage to materials promoting building longevity,’ she adds.

Consider using natural wood fibre or recycled flexible insulation, and rigid wood fibre board.

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 91

NEED TO FIND A RECOMMENDED BUILDER OR TRA DESMA N? Tradesmen Online seeks to connect homeowners with quality and trusted tradespeople local to you.

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PROJECTS HEALTHY HOME Get the light right Our internal body clocks are influenced by exposure to daylight and an absence of light at night, which helps us sleep well. This is one reason why it is important to plan for a sufficient amount of natural light in a scheme. ‘Harnessing daylight is free, and solar gain can also help to keep homes warm,’ says lighting consultant Sam Coles (samcoleslighting.co.uk).

‘Harnessing daylight is free and solar gain can also help to keep homes warm’ Attention should also be paid to ensuring that all rooms have good-quality artificial lighting. A healthy scheme provides adequate brightness for carrying out everyday tasks, as well as allowing for light level adjustments to reflect how we want to feel such as when winding down in the evening.

‘Lighting should be planned as early as possible on a project to get all of the cables in the right places at the first electrical fix stage,’ says Sam. RIGHT AND BELOW Mailen Design opened up a dark cottage in Didcot, Oxfordshire, creating a four-bedroom home where rooms flow together without doorways, allowing light and air to penetrate deep into the building. Breathable wood fibre insulation and lime render maintain the building’s natural harmony. Concealed beneath decades-old flooring, the first-floor oak floorboards were sanded and reconditioned despite being hundreds of years old. The project cost £200,000. (mailendesign.com)

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 93

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PROJECTS HEALTHY HOME

Breathe clean air Improving outdoor air quality by reducing vehicle emissions is a necessity, but it is just as crucial to good health to maintain toxin- and particle-free indoor air.

New-builds and whole-house renovations that achieve a high level of airtightness can benefit from the installation of a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system, which removes stale air from each room and replaces it with filtered fresh air. The units, which are often kept in the loftspace, are low maintenance, but the filters need to be changed regularly for best results.

A simpler route is to plug in a mobile unit such as Blueair’s HealthProtect, from £639 (blueair.com), which removes airborne pollutants such as dust, pollen, dander, mould and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde.

LEFT AND ABOVE Built for a family of five in Northcote, Melbourne, Australia, this hi-tech sustainable four-bedroom home has health considerations at its heart. Melbourne Design Studios used biophilic design, creating nature-filled courtyards, views of the neighbouring park and green roofs, and employing low volatile organic compound (VOC) natural materials. It also has high insulation levels, passive shading, double-glazed windows with thermally broken aluminium frames, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and air-source heat pump technology. (melbournedesignstudios.com.au) MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 95

Consider what’s on the surface When it comes to choosing interior finishes that contribute to a healthy scheme, aim for easy-clean floor surfaces and specify low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, stains and waxes. Avoid PVC or materials containing formaldehyde and choose natural fabrics rather than those that have been treated with chemicals.

Clay plasters, which can be applied to gypsum plaster and plasterboard, concrete, block or brick contain no toxins, VOCs, formaldehydes, polymers or additives. ‘Since they don’t set like other finishes, they consistently absorb and release moisture, maintaining indoor air humidity at between 40-60 per cent,’ says Adam Weismann, founder and director of Clayworks (clay-works.com). ‘At this humidity level, bacteria, viruses, dust mites and mould spores, which are the primary triggers for respiratory health issues, struggle to survive.’ Clay plaster comes dried and pigmented, ready to mix with water and apply as you would do standard plaster. Included in some of its plaster and plasterboard products, Activ’Air technology

by British Gypsum (british-gypsum.com) improves air quality by decomposing formaldehyde emissions from other materials into non-harmful inert compounds.

ABOVE AND RIGHT One of two bothies (Highland huts) overlooking Loch Nell in Oban, Scotland, this prefabricated cabin was designed and supplied by Bothy Stores (bothystores.com), then built and fitted out by Inverlonan Bothies (inverlonan.com). Clay plaster in Tonal PS-04 from Clayworks (clay-works.com) was chosen to complete the walls, providing texture as well as colour. The fixed furniture and ladder are in local ash 96 JUNE 2021 /

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PROJECTS HEALTHY HOME

A quiet life Anyone who has lived in a noisy flat or on a busy road will testify that excess noise is annoying and stressful. According to the World Health Organisation (euro.who.int) it is also harmful to our wellbeing. It can disturb sleep, cause cardiovascular and psychophysiological effects, reduce performance and provoke changes in social behaviour.

Everest’s laminated acoustic double and triple glazing (everest.co.uk) has a special polymer layer sandwiched between the glass, engineered to reduce vibration and noise. Ecomerchant (ecomerchant.co.uk) stocks PhoneStar Sound Insulation Board, suitable for reducing noise transferred through walls, ceilings and floors, and Acoustilay 15mm acoustic underlay for floors. To find home appliances that operate at lower decibel levels, visit the Quiet Mark website (quietmark.com). You’ll also find the organisation’s online Acoustics Academy, which has further information on how to soundproof your home.

RIGHT AND BELOW This semi-detached four-bedroom house in Hackney, London, has gained a light-filled triple-height space with a gallery. Architecture practice Bradley Van Der Straeten (b-vds.co.uk) lined the perimeter walls with cork insulation from Ty-Mawr (lime.org.uk), allowing them to breathe and providing sound insulation

NATURAL CYCLE Biodynamic lighting made simple by lighting consultant Sam Coles (samcoleslighting.co.uk) ● Daylight changes throughout the day. It’s brighter and cooler-toned in the morning and gets dimmer and warmer-toned towards the evening. These changes affect the balance of the hormones melatonin, cortisol and serotonin in our bodies, which help us feel wakeful or sleepy and happy or sad. ● Biodynamic lighting aims

to mimic the cycle of daylight with the aim of creating the same biological reactions.

Those with specific medical conditions such as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), chronic depression or insomnia may find that biodynamic lighting is of particular benefit. ● A biodynamic scheme

needs a control system that slowly changes the colour temperature and intensity of the lighting to emulate what happens in nature.

The bulbs change from a cool blue 6,500 Kelvin to a warm orange tone lower than 2,000. ● Some biodynamic

products use non-standard cabling, so this needs to be factored in before the first fix starts. lighting, combining different light fittings in a space allows them to be lit to suit specific functions and how you want to feel. Simply being able to lower the light level has a relaxing effect. Control systems make this simpler than using banks of dimmer switches. ● Dim to warm bulbs

WORDS NAME HERE PHOTOGRAPHY NAME HERE

PHOTOGRAPHY INVERLONAN, SEB LAAN LOMAS, FRENCH + TYE, TIM CROCKER, PETER CLARKE, PETER LANDERS

● Even without biodynamic

are widely available and tend to go from around 3,000 down to 1,800 Kelvin. ● Some products that

warm up in colour a little as they are dimmed are sold as biodynamic, but they don’t change enough to meet the classification.

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PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

FOCUS ON

Outdoor lighting Brighten your home’s exterior with fittings that are practical, decorative and energy efficient WORDS ANDREA MANLEY

Layers of light create a stunning seating area.

Kew 40 spike light, £237.60, Contour HDX27 LED Strip, £54 per m, Lucca 40 Uplight, £154.27, all John Cullen Lighting (johncullenlighting.com)

An effective outdoor lighting scheme will draw attention to your home’s best features, ensure driveways and paths are safe to navigate at night and allow you to enjoy your garden late into the evening. If you choose mains-powered or low-voltage options you will need to plan for the necessary wiring and consider how the fittings will be controlled at an early stage of your project.

AT THE ENTRANCE Having a brightly lit front door or path will deter intruders while making it safer for welcome visitors after dark. A pair of wall-mounted fittings placed on either side of the door, or a single design fitted to the space above will do the trick. Uplighters, downlighters or two-way up and downlighter fittings are ideal for this situation. Choose either a dusk-to-dawn light that switches off automatically during daylight hours, or one with a motion sensor that turns on when approached.

‘LED fittings use the minimum amount of power for the best light output,’ says David Haslehurst, managing director of Moonlight Design (theartoflight.co). ‘When operated by sensors or timers, they are even more economical and better for the environment.’

Solar-powered wall lights are available, but they need lots of daylight so are not ideal for shaded areas or north-facing walls.

LEFT Nordlux’s IP44 Alya solar-powered wall lamp, H20xW9xD20.5cm, is cordless and easy to install as it doesn’t require any electrical work. The downwards-facing light has a motion sensor, so only comes on when needed, and is practical for lighting a front entrance, backdoor or driveway. £53.94, Lampsy (lampsy.com)

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 99

STEP CONFIDENTLY There are a couple of ways to include built-in lighting when constructing steps.

Waterproof LED strips can be set into a channel on the underside of each tread.

It’s a good idea to consult a lighting designer if you want this option.

‘Careful planning is needed when using LED strips to avoid unwanted reflection and conceal dotting, which is where the light appears as bright dots rather than an even beam,’ advises Estefania Marquez, senior designer at John Cullen Lighting (johncullenlighting.com).

Alternatively, round or square steplights can be recessed or surfacemounted into the side walls.

RIGHT Garden designer Rosemary Coldstream (rosemarycoldstream.com) used a variety of small, discrete LED fittings for this London garden so that the light is visible but not the fitting. The glow is effective across both hard landscaping and planting. The garden project cost around £21,000.

Sculpture by David Harber (davidharber.co.uk)

PICK OUT THE DETAILS A wash of diffused light over a vertical surface will highlight architectural features or interesting cladding and building materials. Place downlighters or spotlights at a high level to draw the eye upwards, or uplighters or spike lights at floor level, about 30cm away from the building, to bring attractive features into play and create a stunning façade.

A wash of diffused light over a vertical surface will highlight architectural features or cladding materials

LEFT When choosing wall lights, try to take your cues from the exterior architecture. The understated Homefield IP44 exterior wall light, H25xW16xD11cm, in polished nickel with frosted glass panels, can be dimmed to control light levels as dusk falls. £286, Astro Lighting (astrolighting.com)

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PHOTOGRAPHY CLIVE NICHOLS, RICHARD BLOOM

A little light goes a long way at night, so often less is more when it comes to how many fittings are needed. For a softer, more welcoming glow, choose bulbs that emit warm rather than cool light.

PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

Four types of light fitting define the main features in this urban courtyard garden – uplighters for plants, downlighters for walls, submersibles for the water feature and small capsule lights under the bench. The lighting scheme cost around £2,000, My Landscapes (mylandscapes.co.uk)

GARDEN DELIGHT Just as when planning a scheme for a room, include a mix of light fittings to bring out the best aspects of your outdoor space, which you can enjoy while outside and from inside your home.

Nestle spike lights in the flower beds to highlight shrubs, trees and pergolas. Dot pathways with bollard or low-level fittings, or install downlighters or oblong, recessed brick lights between the bricks of a retaining wall. Recessed uplighters can be set into a paved patio, deck or the lawn.

For entertaining spaces, an outdoor pendant light hanging above a table adds a luxurious touch. LED strip lighting fitted beneath built-in seating creates a dramatic effect, and wall lamps provide overall illumination. A simple way to provide atmospheric lighting is with lanterns. There are stylish rechargeable battery options which offer hours of illumination from a single charge.

To avoid uncomfortable glare, direct the light away from your line of sight, or use glare cowls and louvres on spotlights and add half shields to recessed uplighters to focus the beam of light.

LEFT Dimmable outdoor pendant lights with removable knitted covers made from polyolefin rope can transform a space into an outdoor living room. From left, two Tribu Madame Latoque pendants and a Madame Cachet pendant, all Dia30cm and IP55 rated, £815 each, Go Modern (gomodern.co.uk)

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PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

The IP65 Flindt Bollard light

by Louis Poulsen provides a pool of downward, glare-free illumination.

Made from cast aluminium with a powder-coated aluminium finish, it measures H110xDia11.5cm. £1,235 each, Chaplins Furniture (chaplins.co.uk)

THE BRIGHT STUFF Expert safety advice from Paul Collins, technical services manager, National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (niceic.com) ● Ensure safety standards

are met by hiring a registered electrical contractor from an approved body such as NICEIC. To find one in your local area, visit niceic.com. ● To avoid the possibility

of cables being chewed by rodents as well as accidental damage, they should be either armoured and/or buried in suitably robust ducting.

Oversized ducting makes cable pulling easier and allows for future-proofing, such as by laying extra cable that can extend a scheme, if needed. ● Take note of the product’s IP

POWER SUPPLY Exterior lighting can either be mains current, low voltage or a mix of the two. Low-voltage fittings are easier to install, safer and more energy efficient. ‘A transformer or LED driver is required to step voltage down from 240v to 12v and can be installed in a shed, garage or house so they’re dry and handy for maintenance,’ says David Haslehurst. ‘Junction boxes should be accessible and filled with a waterproof gel to stop water ingress. Don’t bury them in the garden, because water will eventually get in.’

‘Low-voltage lighting consumes 95 per cent less energy than mains and this efficiency can be increased by using a dimmer and zoning different areas into separate circuits,’ says Amir Schlezinger, owner of My Landscapes (mylandscapes.co.uk).

Installing a mains 240v system is a bigger job, and cables must be steel wire armoured and buried in a conduit at least 50cm below ground.

There are no safety regulations for low-voltage cables, so a 30cm depth is adequate.

rating, which relates to keeping the product electrically safe from water and dust ingress.

Different installations and locations need different ratings. They typically range from IP44 for high-level wall lights to IP68 for pond lights. ● All outside socket outlets

must be RCD (residual current device) protected for safety. An RCD works by switching off the flow of electricity when a cable or flex is cut or badly damaged. ● Decorative lights plugged

into an outdoor socket outlet should be taken inside after use unless they’re labelled as waterproof and suitable for outdoor use.

FREE ENERGY Solar fittings are very easy to install, but tend not to offer the brightness level of electrically powered lights and need to be placed in direct sunlight to ensure the best performance. For maximum brightness look for designs with a large amorphous solar panel, which gives a high rate of light absorption and performs better in dull weather, combined with a good battery pack to store and transfer the energy absorbed.

RIGHT Sleek and sustainable, the IP44 Warwick Solar Wall Light, H12.5xW9.5xD16.5cm, has an integrated solar panel and motion sensor, giving off a natural daylight effect. £29.99, The Solar Centre (thesolarcentre.co.uk)

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 103

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PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

FOCUS ON

Ground-source heat pumps There’s a store of thermal energy beneath our feet that can be harnessed to heat our homes WORDS REBECCA FOSTER

HOW IT WORKS Two metres below ground the soil maintains a fairly consistent temperature of around 10ºC and is unaffected by cold weather. Powered by electricity, a ground-source heat pump (GSHP) extracts warmth from the earth using collecting pipes buried below the surface. A set-up with pipework laid in trenches at a depth of around 1m is the most common option,

but if there is a lack of sufficient space on the plot a vertical borehole can be dug instead. A solution of water and antifreeze flows through the pipes, picking up warmth as it moves. This liquid is channelled to a heat pump unit, most often kept inside the house, where it is concentrated to a higher temperature and distributed to the heating system.

ABOVE Designed by John Pardey Architects, this stunning home has a ground-source heat pump (GSHP) powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. (johnpardey architects.com)

PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES MORRIS

OUTDOOR SPACE REQUIREMENTS

ABOVE A slinky set-up connects to a Kensa GSHP unit. The collecting loops are laid horizontally then buried. (kensaheatpumps.com)

Your garden must be accessible to digging machinery with ground that is suitable for creating trenches or a borehole. Coiled pipes are known as slinkies, while a meander pattern is laid straight and runs back and forth.

‘A typical three-bedroom house using slinky pipes laid in trenches requires about 40x12m of land.

Boreholes range from 60-200m deep and are around 150mm wide. If a home has insufficient land area for slinkies or no access for a borehole drilling rig, ground source may not be viable,’ says David Billingsley, director

of sales at Kensa Heat Pumps (kensaheatpumps.com).

Typically, GSHPs are well suited to self-builds, as the plot will be excavated to put in the foundations, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t possible for renovations. ‘It’s a myth that GSHPs can’t be successfully retrofitted into older properties,’ says David. ‘But the more thermally efficient a house is, the easier it will be to heat effectively with any type of system. Better insulation will result in higher heat pump efficiency and lower running costs.’

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PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

ESTIMATING THE COST The output needed from a ground-source heat pump to meet your home’s heating requirements will affect how much an installation will cost. ‘The average three-bedroom UK home has a heat demand of 8-10kW. To supply and install a suitable pump using horizontal pipework would cost between £12,000 and £14,000,’ says Phil Hurley, managing director at Nibe (nibe.eu). Vertical ground-source heat pumps tend to be more expensive. ‘A borehole installation can cost between £20,000 and £25,000,’ he explains.

Units have a service life of around 20 years, while the collecting pipework can last up to 100. Plus, you may be able to recoup some of the installation cost from the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.

Average running costs depend on the thermal efficiency of the building and its heat demand. ‘The 9kW Evo GSHP would run at 0.44p/kWh with an estimated running cost of £887.40 per year, based on a 200sqm, four-bed new-build home in the south-west of England with a heat load of 8kW,’ says David Billingsley.

ABOVE The S1255 from Nibe features an inverter-controlled compressor and a touch-screen display.

This model has a heat output of 6kW and is priced from £12,000. (nibe.eu)

INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

KEEPING THINGS RUNNING SMOOTHLY

If building your own home, lay the collecting loops at the start of the project, during the groundworks phase. ‘It is critical that accurate information about the property is known so that the system can be laid correctly,’ says Phil Hurley. ‘The pump unit is usually installed once the building is weathertight and the services are in place.’

The groundworks phase varies, but usually takes around three weeks.

GSHP installation is subject to Building Regulations and your local authority will need to be notified upon completion.

The heat pump appliance is about the size of a fridge-freezer and most often kept inside the house. ‘It’s best to put the unit where it can be maintained easily,’ says Phil.

‘The area must provide an appropriate route for associated pipework, especially the ground collector loops, which need to be well insulated along the entire length.’

GSHPs have few moving parts and upkeep is minimal. ‘As an electrically powered, non-combustion appliance it requires little maintenance,’ says David. ‘I advise homeowners to get their system, including radiators and/ or underfloor heating, pressurised hot water cylinders, ground collectors and the heat pump, checked by a competent installer before the colder months set in.’

Having a good supply of hot water and effective heating are the surest signs your system is operating at its best. Some models, such as the Nibe S-Series and Kensa’s Evo heat pump, come with a smart controller or app that allows you to monitor the set-up in real time, so you will receive notifications regarding any problems.

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ABOVE The Evo is Kensa’s smartest and most efficient heat pump. The heat output of the unit ranges from 7-17kW. Prices start at £5,862. (kensaheatpumps.com)

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KITCHENS &

Vintage basin, from £294, mirror, from £90, reclaimed iroko hardwood, from £234 per sqm, all Retrouvius (retrouvius.com). For more eco bathroom ideas, turn to page 131

MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 109

BESPOKE ARCHITECTURAL GLAZING

01842 766807 www.ppsug.ltd

KITCHEN UPGRADE

Subtle beauty Made from natural minerals and acrylic, the latest solid surface collection from Staron features four new colours. Rotor Cloud, pictured, is a delicate marble-effect design with fine veining on a pale background.

The surface is non-porous and durable, giving a seamless finish. From £350 per sqm. (staron.com)

Urban chic A greener clean This steel washing-up bowl by Elephant Box is an eco-friendly alternative to the more usual plastic versions. Made from sustainably sourced, food-grade 304 stainless steel, it won’t rust, stain or split, and is designed to last a lifetime. Measuring L364x W314xH15mm, it costs £37.50, and is delivered in recyclable packaging. (elephantbox.co.uk)

The new Henry Holt collection by The 1810 Company is a range of industrial-style kitchen taps available in single or twin lever, bridge mixer and wall-mounted models. With a variety of finishes, including chrome, copper and matt black, the taps can be supplied with colour-matched or contrasting red handles and include an aerator to control water flow. The bridge mixer in brushed steel is 342mm tall with a spout reach of 236mm. Priced £390. (the1810company.co.uk)

Security conscious If you need a safe place to store valuables, the EverydaySafe by Chubbsafes fits into a wide range of kitchen cabinets, allowing it to be easily retrofitted into a standard drawer, internal drawer system or behind a door.

Installation takes just 30 minutes and access is via a biometric fingerprint scanner or smartphone app, so items can be deposited or retrieved in seconds. From £999. (everydaysafe.com)

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KITCHEN UPGR ADE

Chip off the old block Timber flooring specialist Havwoods has introduced Foresso Timber Terrazzo. It’s a collection of quality sustainable flooring made using FSC-certified British wood scraps set in an organic VOC-free resin binder for a hardwearing finish. Available in plank or tile format, designs include Charcoal Mono, Ivory Duo, Azure Mono and Bianco Mono. From £294.95 per sqm. (havwoods.com)

Mix it up Swedish brand Superfront makes fronts, plinths and sides for Ikea carcasses.

Its latest collection of plain or vertical ribbed ash wood veneer comes in a choice of six stain finishes – Thunder, Cloudy, Willow, Umber, Biscotti or Alabaster – with a tough, UV-resistant lacquer and the option of solid ash handles. This Umber Wood Vertical example costs £2,758. (superfront.com)

Get comfy The Zampa chair by Jasper Morrison is a lightweight design inspired by the simplicity of traditional country stools. Crafted from ash and featuring gently curving legs, the round, flat seat is structured to provide flex, meaning it’s soft and comfortable despite the fact it’s made of wood. Available in a natural finish or black, yellow, red and neon blue lacquer, the chair measures H770xW420x D440mm, and has a seat height of 465mm.

Priced £530 from Viaduct. (viaduct.co.uk)

New from sustainable flat-pack furniture company Grain, the Avon shelf range is a wall-mounted solution designed to be easily moved, reused and upgraded. Made from FSC-certified birch plywood and oak veneer, the shelves come in four configurations that are easy to install. Each 27cm-deep shelf comes in lengths of 80-220cm. Prices start from £65. (grain.co.uk) 112 JUNE 2021 /

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WORDS PAULA WOODS

Quick fix

ADVERTISING PROMOTION

HEAVENLY TRANSFORMATION With help from Wren Kitchens, this couple turned a chilly gothic church into an inviting home

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FAR LEFT Modern design meets traditional style in Martin and Helen’s new Wren kitchen LEFT The Milano Infinity Plus range in Pencil Grey Matt and White Gloss gives the space a contemporary edge BELOW LEFT The NEFF Flexinduction 5 Zone Hob and NEFF Hide & Slide Oven with selfcleaning technology make cooking a pleasure BELOW The exterior of Martin and Helen’s home-renovation project, a church in the Yorkshire Dales

Turning a church in the Yorkshire Dales into a home might seem like a daunting enterprise, but not to architect Martin McCann and his wife Helen.

‘Friends said we were either mad, brave or stupid,’ says Martin. ‘But it’s really worked out well for us.’

Stepping through the large original door, the first impression is of a calm, well-designed and airy space. But the focal point is the Wren kitchen. The couple picked Wren after a visit to the company’s Leeds showroom. They were impressed by the huge choice of finishes, the extensive palette of colours, and the timeless designs. When they saw the Milano Infinity Plus kitchen in Pencil Grey Matt and White Gloss they knew it was the one.

Martin felt that the contemporary style would be an interesting contrast with the gothic architecture of the church Martin felt that the contemporary style would be an interesting contrast with the gothic architecture of the church. And the colours go together well, blending in with the stone walls to create a warm, inviting space.

Working with the Wren designer, Martin and Helen described the look they wanted, and he really knew how to make these ideas work, including space-saving storage and features that fitted in with the overall design.

Once the kitchen had been delivered, Martin worked with the Wren-approved team to complete the installation. Thanks to the designer’s accurate measurements, everything slotted neatly into place, even around the limestone flooring. Martin and

Helen couldn’t have been happier when they saw their vision come to life. They were particularly pleased with the integrated, top-of-the-range Neff appliances, which worked out significantly better value when buying from Wren than on the high street.

Helen loves the island, something they didn’t have in their previous kitchen. She says they never feel cut off when they’re cooking, as family and friends take a pew around it. Martin often plugs in his laptop to work there too, which has been really useful during lockdown periods.

Martin’s favourite feature is the way the tall cupboards are tucked neatly into the recess of the wall he’d had built in the centre of the church.

As an architect, he’s impressed by the flush fit.

Their guests have also been won over. ‘Everyone wants to be in the kitchen,’ says Martin. And those who said they were crazy when they first decided to renovate a church changed their minds upon seeing the end result.

● Book your free design appointment today at wrenkitchens.com MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 115

PROJECTS KITCHENS

Create a hi-tech hub From plug-in wireless solutions to integrated systems, discover what’s possible with the latest smart appliances and controls WORDS PAUL A WOODS

A watchful eye Guard against leaking pipework and subsequent water damage with smart sensors such as Sense from Grohe (grohe.co.uk) and SmartThings by Samsung (samsung.com), which can also turn off the water supply. Alternatively, consider a fully monitored service.

Shelter system with thermometer, humidity monitor and leak detector, linked to an independent network, £POA. Bespoke brushed indigo oak and Golden Calacatta marble kitchen, from £85,000.

Both Lanserring (lanserring.com)

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Roll up, roll down Upgrade your roller blinds with an app-enabled motor from Soma (somasmarthome.com), or invest in a complete wireless system.

Motorised Duette blinds connect to home automation, voice and smartphone control systems via the Somfy Connexoon Smart Hub. Blinds from £404, Smart Hub, £147, Apollo Blinds (apollo-blinds.co.uk)

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PROJECTS KITCHENS

Add-on option An easy way to operate smart lighting, home entertainment and heating is with plug-in controls such as the Nest Hub (nest.com) or the voice-activated Alexa (amazon.co.uk).

Some kitchen ranges now have these devices built in.

Dandy Plus kitchen with wall-mounted built-in Alexa Task Bar including smart speaker, sockets, USB ports and hanging storage, from £10,000, Scavolini (scavolini.com) MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 119

Wireless vs wired It may be easier and less expensive to use wireless connectivity when retrofitting, but there is value in opting for a reliable wired infrastructure if you’re building from scratch or undertaking a major renovation. Incorporate cabling plans early in the build process.

New-build house by Barc Architects (barcarchitects.com) with integrated home automation, £POA, installed by Intelligent Abodes (intelligentabodes.co.uk)

Bright options

Home chef

When it comes to smart lighting, firms such as Ikea (ikea.co.uk) and Philips (philips-hue.com) offer affordable wireless solutions.

More complex and whole-house integrated systems will require the services of a lighting designer and installer.

Osca Square 140 dimmable IP20-rated downlight in plaster, £100, compatible with Casambi smart lighting system, £POA, Astro (astrolighting.com)

Automatic oven and hob programmes take the guesswork out of cooking and can be controlled and monitored by voice, tablet or mobile. Left to their own devices, smart appliances can choose the most economical operating mode or cooking time.

Vivo oven with full-colour touch-screen display, smart cooking, customisable recipes, guides and settings, W597xH592mm, from £1,099.99, Smeg (smeguk.com)

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Just what you need The latest hi-tech appliances are designed to save you time and use less energy, but there is little point in investing in something with a particular function that you won’t ever use.

Decide which features you will really appreciate in the long run before buying.

French door fridge-freezer with SmartTouch controls and ActivSmart climate and energy control, £2,600, dual fuel cooker, £3,750, integrated hood with intuitive control panel, £550, all Fisher & Paykel (fisherpaykel.com) MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 121

Smart advice For a bespoke control system you’ll need an experienced installer. Trade association Cedia (cedia.net) has a database of registered companies specialising in tech integration. Your architect or designer can also advise.

Project by Llama Architects (llamaarchitects.co.uk) and Janey Butler Interiors (janeybutler.co.uk) with a B3 Bulthaup kitchen, integrated Creston control and wireless Lutron lighting installed by Intuitive Homes (intuitivehomes.co.uk) and Ultamation (ultamation.com). £POA

Open sesame

Power up

For effortless access to shelves and drawers, seek out cabinets that open and close using electronic motion sensors, including Blum’s Servo-Drive lift and pull-out systems (blum.com).

Bespoke kitchen in chocolate concrete and matt bronze glass with automated touch-to-open, lift-up overhead doors, from £35,000, Simon Taylor Furniture (simon-taylor.co.uk)

Banish messy charger cables with seamless charging ports.

Embedded beneath a worksurface, these wireless induction units work with any compatible smart device and can be retrofitted or come ready installed.

Wireless charging for use with Corian worksurfaces, from £350, including installation. Worksurfaces, from £310 per m, Corian (corian.co.uk)

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PROJECTS KITCHENS

CABLE GUIDE Wired smart home installation advice from Matt Nimmons, managing director at Cedia (cedia.net) ● Designing and installing wired connected technology demands expert product, system and application knowledge, along with management and installation skills. So do your research and always ask to see relevant qualifications and references.

It’s important to build a relationship with your installer from the get-go. If working with an architect or designer, bring them into the conversation as well. ● Depending on the scope of the

work to be done, systems range in price from several thousand pounds to well over six figures.

Having a budget in mind will allow the installer to deliver the best system and components for what you can afford. ● Your installer is not expecting

you to know all the intricate details of the project. If you’re not sure of anything, just ask. It’s much better to voice any concerns early on when changes can easily be made to the system design. ● A reliable and stable cabling

infrastructure is vital. Discrete cable installation via chasing is the preferred method, but this needs expert planning and a real understanding of what’s required.

The most expensive cable you have to install is the one that you have forgotten. ● Any proposed wiring plan

should support both current and future needs. Though wireless devices and applications are everywhere, hard-wired infrastructure is still required to support them. Proper wiring will also make it easier and less costly to make additions and changes to your system as new technologies become available.

Made for you A fully integrated control system will manage every aspect of home connectivity from a single source. Though more expensive than plug-in options, its features can be tailored to your specific requirements.

Integrated home automation with KNX network and control system, X1 server, G1 compact room operating devices, touch sensors and video, £POA, Gira (gira.com) MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 123

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PROJECTS KITCHENS

Stay connected

PHOTOGRAPHY SHANNON MCGRATH, DARREN CHUNG

Check broadband capability in your area, as you’ll need a strong Wi-Fi signal for consistent wireless connectivity. To avoid juggling multiple operating apps, choose an appliance brand offering a single platform across its product range. iQ700 built-in single oven, W600xH600mm, £1,229, compact oven with microwave function, W600xH450mm, £1,429, operated via the Home Connect app, Siemens (siemens-home.bsh-group.com)

Hygiene made easy

Intuitive extraction

Turn on taps without touching them with motion-sensor infrared technology. The Evol-S smart tap by Blanco (blanco.com) delivers the exact amount of water required. Voice-enabled taps from Kohler (kohler.co.uk) launch later this year.

Graze touchless tap with motion sensor and Kohler Konnect voice-activated technology, Kohler

Keep tabs on filter changes and more with a connected extractor, monitored via smartphone or tablet. Models that work in tandem with a compatible Wi-Fi hob automatically adjust extraction speeds and switch off when it’s not in use.

Super Plat ultra-slim cooker hood, W800xD250xH405, with Wi-Fi connectivity for voice assistant, smartphone or tablet control, £1,195, Elica (elica.com) MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 125

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B AT H R O O M E D I T Sleek heat Vasco has expanded its range of electric heating solutions to include an updated Wi-Fi-controlled radiator. The Niva dry thermal design generates radiant warmth that can be adjusted via a climate control app or home automation system.

Available in six sizes and more than 50 colours, the Niva is compatible with ground-source heat pumps and solar panels. Prices start from £460. (vasco.eu)

Auto wash Designed by Danish studio VE2, Zone Denmark’s Ume accessory series includes a touch-free dispenser. Suitable for liquid soap or hand sanitiser, it can hold up to 250ml, and dispenses a shot when you place your hands beneath the pump. Made from soft-touch stoneware, the Ume Dispenser with Sensor is batteryoperated, measures H173x Dia113mm, and is available in black or white. From £49.99, optional wall-mounting bracket, £14.95. (zonedenmark.net)

Two in one Combining a dimmable sphere with a fully adjustable 140mm-diameter magnifying mirror, the Orb wall light

by Astro is a multipurpose space-saver.

The IP44 rated, matt black, aluminium light measures H434xW210xD92mm and costs £366.67. Available from Nedgis. (nedgis.com)

Small wonder Made from Akron, a non-silica resin and natural mineral composite, the wall-mounted Mini basin from Acquabella has a Slate textured exterior and warm-to-the-touch finish with antibacterial certification.

It measures W400xD350x H210mm, making it ideal for small bathrooms. Available in ten shades, six neutral tones and over 2,200 custom colours, the Mini comes with a polished steel or matt black integrated towel rail.

Priced £515. (acquabella.com)

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B AT H R O OM E D I T

Circular thinking Keuco’s shower light is an innovative showerhead with an integrated light that’s compatible with any of its shower valves. The 400mm-diameter fitting with 300mm-diameter shower can be set or dimmed to brightness levels from 6,500 to 2,700 Kelvin, and operates independently from the shower. Priced £2,544. (keuco.com)

Precious legacy Natural stone and tile specialist Sarsen has teamed up with the National Trust to create a range of classic and contemporary tiles inspired by the charity’s properties, gardens, coastlines and countryside. Shoreline is influenced by the 780 miles of Trust coastal land. The 10x20cm ceramic tiles are available in seven soft shades, and combine a gloss glazed finish with a rustic, handcrafted look. From £79.80 per sqm. (sarsenstonegroup.com)

Smart screens

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Soothing hues A recent addition to BC Designs’ range of baths, Crea is a contemporary freestanding design made from Cian, the company’s solid surface material. Available in eight different shades, as well as polished and silk matt white, the tub’s curved profile is made for comfort.

Measuring L1665xW780xD530mm, it costs £2,940. (bcdesigns.co.uk)

WORDS PAULA WOODS

Suitable for both tray and floor installations, Gallery 10 is a new collection of premium 10mm toughened glass walk-in showering solutions from Crosswater.

Available in a range of configurations with a lifetime guarantee, the screens are finished with a protective coating for easy cleaning. Slimline profiles are available in matt black, brushed brass, brushed or polished stainless steel, and can be teamed with the company’s MPRO brassware.

L1400xW900mm Glass Corner in matt black, £940 excluding shower tray. (crosswater.co.uk)

PROJECTS BATHROOMS

Eco baths and basins The spolight is on materials and designs that look good, perform well and are kinder to the environment WORDS PAUL A WOODS

Repeat harvest Cork is a tree bark that regrows after it has been harvested. Traditionally used to seal wine bottles, it can also be used for flooring, to clad walls, and to make baths and basins.

It retains heat well.

NuSpa freestanding bathtub, L1,850xW850xD500mm, from £7,095, Granorte (granorte.co.uk)

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Invest well It makes economical and environmental sense to choose the best-quality bath and basin you can afford to ensure they will look good and perform well for a long time.

Duo bath, L1,550xW950xD490mm, in ClearStone, an eco-friendly and non-toxic stone composite, £1,999, Clearwater (clearwaterbaths.com)

The hard stuff

Cycle of life

Concrete has a high carbon footprint, but when made from 80 per cent recycled sand and aggregate, as with this basin, that footprint is significantly reduced. Made in England, it’s also recyclable.

Orton basin, available in three sizes and 40 colours, from £1,310, Formed (formedconcretebasins.com)

Solid surface materials that are formulated with recycled content are also recyclable. A prime example is Durat. Made with recycled post-industrial plastic waste, it meets stringent M1 emissions classification for indoor air quality.

Durat Design Collection bath, available in 300 colours, from around £5,000, Surface Matter (surfacematter.co.uk)

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PROJECTS BATHROOMS

Hot metal Good-quality steel designs retain heat well, are durable and can be recycled after use.

BetteLux Silhouette Side bath, L1,700xW850x D450mm, from £5,413, and wall-mounted washbasin, W600xD495xH120mm, from £870, made from solvent and chemical-free glazed titanium steel. Both Bette (my-bette.com)

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Small-scale production

PHOTOGRAPHY GENEVIEVE LUTKIN

For something unique, opt for handcrafted ceramics by artisan makers or independent design studios working with natural, sustainably sourced materials.

Scottish farmhouse project with Studio LoHo natural plaster bath made from sand and unfired clay, £POA, sourced by interior designer Hollie Bowden (holliebowden.com)

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PROJECTS BATHROOMS

Strength and durability Invest in a robust and repairable cast iron tub and it will last a lifetime. Check with a builder that your floor will take the weight or whether it should be reinforced prior to installation.

Cléo cast iron freestanding bath with feet, L1,750xW800xD665mm, made from 97 per cent recycled and reclaimed materials, £2,992, Kohler (kohler.co.uk)

All about wood FSC certification is what to look for when investing in a luxurious wood design. Teak has exceptional strength and water resistance, but bamboo, or hardwoods such as beech and cedar, are also good choices.

Bespoke Geo Deep bath in FSC-certified cedar, maple or teak, £POA. Standard teak designs, from £4,716, William Garvey (williamgarvey.co.uk)

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Made to last

Burnished benefits

Sintered stone requires no harmful binding agents and is 100 per cent recyclable. This durable, non-porous material is used to create sleek, integrated finishes by brands such as Lapitec (lapitec.com) and Neolith (neolith.com).

Aspen Grey Silk vanity top with integrated basins, made with up to 48 per cent recycled material, £POA, Neolith

Create a focal point in your bathroom with a brass, copper or bronze basin. As well as being completely recyclable, these metals are incredibly long-lasting and have antibacterial properties.

Supersink untreated copper basin, Dia370xH115mm, with compact water trap, £425, also available in brass or stainless steel, Superfront (superfront.com)

In the shallows Use less water each time you take a bath.

‘You can buy tubs without a pre-drilled overflow, so position it lower to restrict the amount of water that can be used,’ says Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs (bcdesigns.co.uk).

Compact Divita renewable solid surface bath, L1,495xW720xD540mm, without overflow, in white or eight ColourKast shades, £2,550, BC Designs

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PROJECTS BATHROOMS

SALVAGE CHECKLIST Advice on shopping for reclaimed pieces with confidence from Sara Morel CEO at Salvo (salvoweb.com) ● Look for reclamation yards

and dealers signed up to the Salvo Code, established to offer peace of mind for buyers as to the provenance of reclaimed items. The crane logo indicates Salvo members. ● Use Salvo’s online directory

to find local reclamation yards stocking baths, basins and brassware. Many offer restoration or can recommend specialists such as re-enamellers. ● Suppliers and dealers such as

Mongers Architectural Salvage (mongersofhingham.co.uk), Dorset Reclamation (dorset reclamation.co.uk) and Original Baths (originalbaths.com) sell fully restored items. ● You can also shop directly at

salvoweb.com, and make use of free tools such as wanted adverts to source antique and reclaimed items through our network. ● Always ask if any fittings have

been restored and tested. Water and Wood (waterandwood.co.uk) is a great source for restored bathroom taps and accessories. ● It may seem obvious, but

when buying unrestored items always opt for those in good condition. Avoid badly worn pieces, those with hairline cracks and rusty items, or you may find that restoring them is not financially viable. ● Ask about guarantees and

returns policies, as mistakes could be expensive if you buy something that’s not fit for the rigours of modern life. ● Before engaging a plumber to install antique, reclaimed or salvaged items, ask if they have any prior experience to avoid paying extra for their learning curve. You may also need to invest in special adaptors to connect to modern pipe sizes.

Reduce plastic waste Prevent acrylic going to landfill by specifying recyclable Lucite. Waters Baths of Ashburton (watersbaths.co.uk) will arrange the removal and recycling of its Lucite range. Look for new designs made with recycled content.

EcoSquare Lucite acrylic shower bath, L1,700xW850xD433mm, made using 30 per cent recycled materials, £529, Britton (brittonbathrooms.com)

● If replacing an old bathroom,

avoid sending it to landfill by using salvoweb.com to sell your suite, even if it is a recent design. Listing pieces as soon as you can will maximise their chance of a second life.

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PROJECTS BATHROOMS

Rock hewn

Golden oldies

Look out for stone composite designs made with recycled stone waste. They are just as durable as the real thing, but check whether eco-friendly resin binders are included in the mix.

Kunar round basin, Dia460xH140mm, in recyclable Marbleform made using stone leftovers from tile production, £440, Claybrook Studio (claybrookstudio.co.uk)

Choosing salvaged or antique items has far less environmental impact than buying new. Vintage ceramic, cast iron, copper and marble designs can be found at specialist suppliers.

Antique copper tub with original tinned interior and patinated exterior, from £8,000 fully restored, The Water Monopoly (thewatermonopoly.com)

The beauty of reuse Make a feature of recycled elements with terrazzo or timber composites that include recycled content. Woodio’s waterproof wood composite baths and basins are made from 80 per cent sustainable wood chips.

Flow freestanding bathtub in Natural Aspen, L1,600xW700xD630mm, from €3,999, Woodio (woodio.fi)

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PROJECTS CASE STUDY

Reclaiming the past Vintage pieces and a bold use of colour have restored this bathroom’s heritage WORDS PAUL A WOODS PHOTOGR APHY PAUL MASSEY

P R O J EC T PROFILE –

LOCATION Bath, Somerset STYLE OF PROPERTY Grade I listed Georgian townhouse DURATION OF BUILD 3 weeks approx SIZE 9sqm COST £7,000 (plus installation)

Nick and Catherine Gilpin’s Georgian home had been student accommodation for years before they bought it. ‘Catherine was daunted by its dilapidation,’ says Nick.

But he was confident that, with the help of architect Jonathan Rhind (jonathan-rhind. co.uk) and designer Nicola Harding (nicolaharding.com), they could turn the warren of rooms back into a single home.

Commissioned to secure planning and listed building consent, as well as implement layout changes and install new services, Jonathan also worked on the repair and the original features. Nicola concentrated on the interiors. ‘Having worked on our previous home, Nicola understood our desire to respect the past but not live in a museum,’ says Nick.

Her brief for the guest bathroom was to draw out the character and find room

Found on eBay (ebay.com), the cast iron bath was painted in Deep Water Green by Paint & Paper Library (paintandpaperlibrary. com). The walls are in Railings by Farrow & Ball (farrow-ball.com) for a shower. The new layout has a vintage bath and basin along one side, making space for the shower and loo on the other.

Installing vintage pieces including a Victorian high-level cistern and loo required some creativity. ‘It’s tricky as the plumbing dimensions vary, so it’s important to find the right plumber,’ says Nicola. But she feels the extra effort was worth it. ‘Vintage pieces give a sense of permanence, they reduce the carbon footprint and tend to be better quality than new pieces.’

The walls, ceiling and woodwork are painted in a dark charcoal shade. ‘The colour makes the space feel cosy and intimate,’ explains Nicola. Cement tiles in a matching hue cover the floor and shower walls, which allows the turquoise bath exterior to stand out. The result is a room brimming with character.

The vintage ceramic basin was sourced from eBay and is mounted on a stand designed by Nicola Harding MAGAZINE.COM / JUNE 2021 139

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3s architects is an award winning practice of architects and interior designers which specialises in creating beautiful homes.

From interiors to renovations and newbuilds we bring creativity and attention to detail to every project in the UK as well as abroad.

We make designing and building an experience to enjoy.

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PROFILE

MY GRAND IDEA –

Architect Alan Morris created Hidden House, a home that’s cleverly secluded at the bottom of a long, narrow garden — How is it hidden?

The garden is accessed off a small cul-de-sac, behind a high wall, and there are mature trees and greenery.

It was possible to play with the building’s size and scale, together with materials such as the green patinated zinc cladding, to help it appear less prominent. Hopefully, the house is something of a surprise when visitors finally realise it’s there.

— How did you overcome the constraints?

I think it was less about overcoming and more about transforming the constraints into the very things that end up characterising the house. For example, by keeping the footprint to one side of the garden, a passageway runs down the east side of the house all the way through to the rear patio.

Breaking the plan of the building halfway and introducing full-height

ABOVE Hidden House’s two-storey middle section doesn’t exceed the height of the closest property LEFT An oakclad stairway to the upper floor contains storage space underneath BOTTOM A generous expanse of glazing takes advantage of the house’s southerly aspect

vertical north-facing windows made the pathway an interesting walk, and from inside there are views towards the neighbouring gardens.

— Are you pleased with what you’ve achieved?

It was an interesting project to be involved with and quite successful in design and construction terms.

During the last year my client has been both working and living in his new home, which was probably unimaginable pre-Covid-19.

Alan Morris Architect (with James Walker and Katherine Christie) ama-uk.eu

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WORDS MATT GLASBY PHOTOGRAPHY FRED HOWARTH

What was your brief?

To design a light and spacious home tucked away at the far end of a 60m-long garden in north London.

My client, who works for a film company, grew up in a Grade II listed Georgian house owned by his parents.

His new home is at the bottom of their garden, and replaced an old Romany-style caravan that was used as a writing studio.

— What were the particular challenges of the site?

The plot is a long, narrow strip of land alongside the boundary wall of a neighbouring end-of-terrace house.

No windows were possible on that side and I had to make sure that the new-build didn’t affect the amount of light reaching their garden. The solution was a two-storey, twobedroom house that was carefully designed and positioned.

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