Stable Cottage

This dwelling is a compact 4 bed house with a ‘Hempcrete’ envelope. Chopped hemp fibre is mixed with lime and sand and loosely packed into shuttering in lifts of c.600mm and left to cure until ready for a new lift. With hindsight the builder could have found a more economical way to achieve the Hempcrete envelope by using permanent shuttering that removed the need for casting in sections. That said Hempcrete is a highly efficient and eco friendly form of building, as indeed is the oak frame, timber and hemp both being renewable materials that sequester CO2.

This is a good example of the selective use of oak common joisting to create beamed ceilings where most advantageous. Plenty of glazing and a galleried hall create a contemporary, well lit interior.

An external arcade of columns and braces makes a strong architectural statement creating rhythm and beauty (see first image). Here again, common joisting in oak creates warmth and texture.

At the same time as making the frame structure we supplied the balustrade and handrails for the gallery landing. Square section balusters are set on the diagonal to create interest. Note that the frame has not been sandblasted, the client choosing to lightly sand the frame instead, though some of the blue staining caused by the reaction of the ferrous band saw in contact with the oak tannins remains.

Simple King post trusses with flared heads form an attractive and simple truss. Ridge braces jointed between the King post and ridge beam serve to stiffen the roof structure against sway.

The external elevations utilise a pleasing pallet of materials; white painted lime render, tile hanging, weathered oak and grey painted joinery. Galvanised steel rainwater guttering and down pipes by Lindab completes the picture.