jhaadmin, Author at Natural Structures

Mar 04

by jhaadmin in Case Studies 0 comments tags: Oak Frame Conversion

Lyddinton Oak Frame Conversion

This stunning barn is set in it own 7 acres of land overlooking the families lawns & horse paddocks. This was part of the brief given to us by the clients in that they wanted to maximize the extensive views that were available to them, that and the necessity for natural light in large open internal spaces.

Mar 02

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Stone Cottage Oak Extension – Medbourne

We are in the later stage of completion on this lovely air dried oak extension to a 650 year old cottage in Medbourne. The area is very sensitive to planning as it’s not only grade 11 listed building but also on a heritage site. The ancient village of Medbourne was predominately a large Roman village some 2000 years ago with its prime location interjecting many bridleways and water courses. The brief for this particular project was a heritage sympathetic external appearance with the internal aesthetics being contemporary/modern. We have achieved the interior aesthetics with the use of lime plaster and existing stone finishes which help create a very simple yet effective canvas for the new clean lines of the kitchen and dray room furniture. We are at present waiting for the screed to dry, we then will be doing the final touches with the oak floor and painted skirtings.

Mar 01

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Kingscliffe Glazed Oak Extension

The lovely rural stone villa of Kingscliffe is the site for this recently completed air dried oak structure. The house itself is over 600 years old and was grade II listed, this meant that the design and detail of the new extension needed to be perfectly in balance with the existing structure to ensure planning approval. The very careful use of limited numbers of materials allowed us to keep the structure as simple as possible which in turn lends itself to the simple stone surroundings in which the oak structure sat. The use of lead and painted cast gutters gave the new extension an originality that would not have been achievable with the use of standard materials. With the external elevations looking very traditional, we managed to create a contemporary feel to the interior with the use of simple floor tiles, clean lines and the abundance of natural light. The new floor of the oak extension was taken through into the original kitchen via widened apertures, this was a major factor in creating the combined space of the two areas. The light reflective nature of the limestone flooring helps bounce light into the existing house, with the added benefit of the […]

Sep 04

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Air Dried Oak frame – Cathorpe

Oak Framed Extensions (Oak Framed Outbuilding & Conservatories) We are near completing works in the small village of Cathorpe. This 14 meter long air dried oak frame extension will become the main family room. The forward section of the 14 meter build is a sitting room with a central wood burner acting as the main focal point, also incorporating double doors that lead on onto the terrace. The central area forming a library and day room with the rear acting as a snug for the children and dogs. All the oak used in the frame build was of best quality french air dried oak with the direct glazing system being used to envelope the entire frame preventing all moisture/water, draught ingress. The direct glaze boards are best quality quarter sawn 42mm oak used in conduction with various gaskets and sealants. The finished frame will stand the test of time not only in design but also against the harsh British climate.

Jul 21

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Medbourne Oak Frame

The ancient Roman town of Medbourne is now the new home to our oak frame. The design brief was to create large space and natural light on an existing stone cottage in a very tight exterior space. With a clever design of an internal oak frame being the hub of the extension, we were able to build off this and into the tight exterior stone walls to use the maximum room the site offered. This created several hurdles, the first being the roofing, this was resolved with the use of one pitched roof to the main oak structure then part flat and single pitched roofs to the “spoke” elements of the build. The entire build was encased in several layers of insulation giving above and beyond the regulated specification. The outer envelope of the oak frame was either stone or glass, the glass being clamped onto the oak structure using quarter sawn 41mm oak boards and the direct glaze method. This method although being time consuming, prevents all water and draught ingress and prolongs the life and the integrity of the oak frame. With the existing cottage offering the traditional cosy feel with the low ceilings and beams, the total contrast […]

Jul 04

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Heritage Oak Frame Extension

We have just completed a 2 storey oak frame extension in the village of Berden, Staffordshire. The existing house was originally a 14th century oak framed house, so the addition of an extension of two new rooms, a balcony and staircase was inevitably going to be oak framed. We spent several months designing the frame as the client was very specific in his ideas of aesthetics and detail. The interior of the building has two crook trusses incorporated as the bases of the design with oak floor joists forming the first floor. The main room which will be the new kitchen area, with an almost 300 degree view of the garden and paddocks. The first floor area is to be the master bedroom with the French doors being the main focal point from the interior again giving views of the extensive garden and paddocks whilst giving access to the balcony and staircase. The external oak frame was direct glazed using quarter sawn 41mm oak , the best oak material available, helping to resist the potential for cupping and twist. All of the oak used for the frame and staircase was as our standard air dried for 5-7 years. The finished oak […]

Jul 02

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Wigsthorpe Oak Frame

We are now starting phase 3 of 3 phased oak frame project in the very quiet village of Wigsthorpe near Oundle. The oak build Phase 1 & 2 were completed in 2012 with the intention to complete phase 3 in the spring of 2013. With the proposed oak framed completion of phase 3, the existing house will have been completely re designed and rebuilt with only a minimum of the existing structure still remaining. We have redesigned the new structure to allow the family dynamics to work to the clients’ brief of large and bright living spaces which incorporate form and function. The extensive works of phase 3 will be the combining of the 2 previous phases creating for all intents and purposes a complete oak framed house. With new bathrooms , kitchens,flooring ,joinery, plastering , plumbing and decoration the end result should be truly jaw dropping!

Jul 01

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Oak Framed Boat House

We are in the stages of completing an oak framed boat house on an estate in Leicestershire. The boat house is designed to have 2 elevations that open up with bi-folding doors that lead onto a large expanse of decking. The usage throughout the summer months is to give a focal point to the 3 acre lake and to create a useable covered space to enjoy the wildlife and long summer days. Throughout the winter months it will be used as a shoot cabin for the estate shoot parties. The positioning of this oak cabin could not be better, with the 100 year old lake and huge established pine trees giving our oak cabin the best possible setting. We all are looking forward to seeing the end result.

Apr 30

by jhaadmin in Case Studies 0 comments tags: listed Oak home, oak frame

Hallaton listed Oak home

Hallaton grade II listed oak home. We have recently refurbished a 14th century stone house in the local village of Hallaton. The works involved a complete re-wire, complete heating system, part re-plaster. new flooring throughout, complete decoration and a 50m2 oak framed extension. The stone house forms part of the central hub of the ancient village of Hallaton, therefore the planners were very particular in the design and material choice. After long discussions and several site visits, the design and materials were chosen and as you can see, perfectly enhance the existing house giving an additional 45m2 to the already extensive 2 storey house. This allowed us to re-design the family’s dynamic use of the existing and new space giving them the maximum benefit of their home. As with all of our projects, the end result never disappoints, with the natural light and feeling of space that our oak frames create, this is always a winning combination.

Apr 20

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Oak and stone extension

The ancient village of Hallaton in Leicestershire is now the proud home of our newly completed oak and stone extensions to an exiting 600 year old house that we have recently refurbished. The outlook is that of the historic valley of Hallaton which every year sees the ancient sport of “bottle kicking”. As the building was listed, the choice of materials and design were of the paramount importance, the area is very sensitive as Hallaton is one of the oldest villages in Leicestershire. The oak frame design was deemed by the planners to be the most sympathetic design for the area and along with the design were more than happy to give the planning permission confirmation.

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