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SelfBuild & Design Magazine – September 2008.

We have a bumper issue this month, featuring Cob specialists Adam Weissman and Katy Bryce. They cover the basics of lime plaster and render, with the next instalment in this series of extracts from their latest book, Using Natural Finishes, while Gerald Cole strolls into the world of prefabrication to find that with regulations getting stricter and technologies getting more refined, this could be where the future of volume housebuilding lies.

Bob Matthews delves into the proceedings of the AECB annual conference, and Bob Moores examines the specifics of using limecrete to create a floor slab.

There’s a decidedly oaky theme to the case studies this month, and they’re all stunning, so read on to see just what SelfBuild & Design has to inspire you this month.

Cover Story :

Luxurious lookout

Craig and Kate Smith stripped back their traditional barn-style house to its bare bones to create an exciting and contemporary family home with views to die for. Lamper Head was built in 1991, a fact which belies its traditional appearance. It was hailed as the first full cruck new dwelling in the UK for 300 years. The sumptuous house now boasts six bedrooms, and the Smiths have added a swimming pool enclosed within an oak-framed extension.

Case studies

Boutique beauty

Luke and Marina White’s glamorous new house combines contemporary and traditional features for a truly unique family home. The six bedroom home replaces the original building on the site, and has ample full height glazing that floods the interior with light. The accommodation is split into two distinct wings which are linked by a striking double height atrium, spanned by a glass bridge.

The Riverstation

With the Thames as its back garden, Sarah and Ben Prior’s stunning new waterside home enjoys unparalleled views of river life. Decking and balconies which lead off from the open-plan interior allow for exceptional views of the river, and inside the contemporary style is enhanced by large spaces and simple surfaces. The sensitive site meant that the dark grey stained larch cladding and the roof slates used externally all had to be formally approved.

Upstairs downstairs

Jon and Nicky Harvey’s new barn-style home incorporates a beautiful oak-framed upper floor designed for contemporary open-plan living. They demolished a bungalow to make way for the build, which has four bedrooms on the ground floor, and living accommodation on the first floor and a wall of full height glazing to make the most of the views. The study is elevated on a mezzanine gallery, and the garden has a raised sun deck.

Cob with the wow factor

Adele and David Strickland chose a contemporary interior to complement the traditional cob structure of their Devon barn. They opted for a green oak frame roof structure, which not only opens out the roof space to provide cavernous living accommodation, it also adds a wow factor upon entering the barn, thanks to the exposed oak beams which enhance the enthralling sense of space.

Special features

Kitchen extractors

Kitchen extractors are more than just a necessary function. Aesthetics comes into it much more nowadays, and some of the creations out there are truly inspirational. From sculptural beauties to those hidden behind a cupboard door, we have a comprehensive round-up of what’s hot, and all the technical know-how you need to make the right choice.



Bijou and factory built

Prefabrication may have been a dirty word in the past but two new factory home suppliers are showing it’s the way of the future, says Gerald Cole. He explores Suffolk-based Bright Build, whose standard-sized modules are craned into position in a couple of hours, and AROYH (a roof over your head), a German system which creates single storey wall panels for erection on site.



Less is more

For many British selfbuilders a Huf house has become an architectural icon, representing everything good about German design and craftsmanship. The striking creations are epitomised by timber frames and an abundance of glass which allows light to drop straight into the interior. Peter Huf is the brains behind the UK branch, and talks about his passion for simple quality.

By George!

Interior designer George Bond has helped the owners of a large house to integrate the old and new wings of the building. The couple bought the house with the intention of doubling the size. They ended up trebling it, calling on George to create a seamless interior that defines the existing and new aspects of the house to create a modern classical theme.

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