Grindstone Mill
1 / 7
Built in 2015 this oak framed Boat House and Hideaway complements the Cotswold Farm House to which it belongs beautifully. The Oak frame sits onto a steel sub structure supported onto piles driven into the mill pond base, and is connected to it invisibly via steel brackets fixed by us at the time of assembly.
The frame has been clad with white painted sawn Larch weatherboarding, a good alternative to Oak and which takes paint well, unlike oak which does not due to its acidity. The roof is sawn Cedar shingles which on this pitch will provide a durable and attractive cladding. Green Oak Carpentry were commissioned to do both the roof cut and pitch as well as the Cedar shingles, to ensure the building was in the dry before leaving site.
The extended porch gable ensure protection to users and is an attractive feature. The Architect wanted to minimise the structure hence we designed a simple system of steel tie rods to tie the extended ridge beam and top plate over-sails. The column bases sit onto stainless steel plates that elevate the base above the paving and ensure longevity.
This picture taken from under the mezzanine shows the arrangement of cross-braces and long wall-braces very well. These are important to stabilise the structure against sway and in this case, were made straight to give a more contemporary feel.
Clever use of LED strip up-lighting illuminates the vaulted roof structure. The building is gabled both front and back and has two gabled side porches making the internal volume an interesting.
Sliding folding doors open to give access onto the deck set over the waters edge. The doors are set within an independent frame to ensure that their operation will not be affected by the movement and shrinkage of the oak frame members. As with the entrance porch end of the building, a large over-sailing gable gives shelter to the door joinery and those sitting on the deck.
A mezzanine accessed via a galley style staircase provides a sleeping loft or storage space and is fully joisted as part of the structural Oak frame. Note that the truss has a hand-rail which could, if required, be infilled with glass to make it more secure.
“"I wanted to drop you a quick note to show my appreciation for your guys efforts today; they were a pleasure to have around the house and worked hard to get the frame up today."
Paul, Contracts Manager
“"We wanted to write to you to express our profound gratitude for the excellent work you have done on our building scheme. It cannot have been easy to pick up the project from another architect when there were still a number of issues unresolved, but you have done so brilliantly and remained calm throughout, even at fraught times. We really do appreciate that you have gone the extra mile for us. We have all enjoyed working with you and have been so impressed with the quality of your work."
Alastair, The Early Years Project
“"Thanks for the excellent job which has just been completed on the Oak Frame extension to the above property. Not only is the quality of the work faultless, it is a true work of art, which will bring endless enjoyment to me and my wife. The end result has surpassed our wildest expectations."
Ray Nicolaides
“"Just to say that it looks fabulous, and all who survey it are wonder-struck. Best wishes and many thanks to you all."
Simon, National Trust
“"Everyone is very impressed with the finished result and I thought I would just take the opportunity of belatedly giving my thanks to you and your team for a job very well done. I have submitted the bridge for a Civic Society award for next year and have every expectation of its success."
P White, Northholt & Greenford Countryside Park Manager