Case Studies Archives - Natural Structures

Sep 02

by jhaadmin in Case Studies 0 comments tags: oak frame

Grade II listed project built in the Welland valley

We have just completed extensive refurbishments to a grade II listed stunning home in the Welland valley village of Barrowden. The hand made air dried Oak frame was an essential part of the design allowing us to re-new the families dynamic use of the ground floor.

May 30

by jhaadmin in Case Studies 0 comments tags: oak frame

Simple Welland Valley design

With the Welland river running through the gardens of this beautiful residence, the new stone and oak extensions make the most of the river view. The existing house is several hundred years old and now with these cleverly designed extensions has doubled its size. The choice to use local stone and original Collyweston roof slates makes the new space feel as if it was built along with the original house. After a few months of exposure and de-colouring it will look as one dwelling all built decades ago. With new kitchens, utility, drawing room and dining/snug area, the traditional dwelling has been brought into the 21st century. The atrium roof light was designed for maximum natural light into the dining/snug area and also to throw light into the existing room therefore negating the potential loss of light. The six leaf bi-fold doors were designed for the light benefit and also to open the area up entirely onto the new terraced area. Design details such as areas left unplastered to show off the unique age-old stonework and sympathetic design of skirting and architrave all help to lend this space an air of originality. The oak and stone work seamlessly together as both are natural, warm and textured […]

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.

Mar 28

by jhaadmin in Case Studies 0 comments tags: oak frame, stone and Oak extensions

Burghley House Oak Frame

Oak Framed House (Stone & Oak Extension) The stone and oak extensions to the existing house in the village of Pillsgate are now complete with the owners thoroughly enjoying their new space. The project added another 5 rooms to an established residence surrounded by the beautiful estate grounds of Burghley House. The main room consists of a large oak frame with vaulted ceilings, this room will become the hub of the house for the family as it not only accommodates the kitchen and a full size 8 seater table and chairs, the large room was designed to allow a third function, the “day room” which includes soft seating allowing you to relax and enjoy the natural light and warmth that the open space has created. The bi-fold doors that are incorporated into the design are manufactured here to very specific details and lead the UK bi-fold industry in specification and performance. As the summer approaches, these will be folded back to reveal the beautiful gardens and with the internal and external flooring levels being the same, the sunken running track gives the appearance of the floor continuing from the internal room out onto the York stone terrace. The other 5 […]

Mar 25

by jhaadmin in Case Studies 0 comments tags: oak frame, Oak framed extension

Minimalist Oak frame extension

We have recently completed an extensive oak frame extension to an existing property in the small Leicestershire village of Goadby. The oak framed design incorporates an extended kitchen area that links on to a day room and dining area with the main emphasis on natural materials and natural light. The oak frame also incorporates a loggia and a 1st floor landing area that doubles up as a seating/reading area. The simple use of a limited number of materials and clean lines help create a minimalist yet warm look. The cedar deck and tiled landscaping built to the same height as the interior floor help you to view the interior and exterior floor space as one. This gives you the impression of the interior floor space seeming larger as it flows seamlessly into the exterior areas. The double doors that lead from the existing house to inside the loggia gain easy access to the covered eating/sitting area. The design of the oak frame has linked the new space with the old and has transformed the family dynamic use of the entire ground floor area creating a functional kitchen area that easily flows into the day room and dining room then eventually […]

Aug 28

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

Cruck trussed home, Horninghold

We have completed a full oak cruck bladed truss frame in the ancient village of Horninghold. The project has taken several months as the detail involved in every aspect of the build was of the highest specification. The oak cruck bladed trusses support the hand made ridge and purlins, with the vertical oak frame posts and floor beams completing the structural frame. Any keen viewer of Grand Designs will have heard of oak frame construction. Traditional brick and block houses have two ‘leaves’, generally speaking the outer leaf is brick, the inner leaf is block and the cavity in between the two is filled with insulation. Timber frame does away with the block inner skin and replaces it with a structural Oak frame. The outer leaf is non-structural and can be brick, timber or stone; using special systems you can even render the outside and avoid the need to lay a single brick, you can also use a combination of these materials to suit the local surroundings and your council’s planning requirements. Oak frame construction has 30%-40% shorter, more predictable construction time than brick and block. This means a faster return on investment, reduced disruption and a tidier, safer and more efficient site. A typical […]

Jun 09

by jhaadmin in Case Studies 0 comments tags: oak frame, oak frame addition

Langton Grand Design

We have just completed substantial oak framed alterations and additions to a home in the Langton village near Market Harborough. We have worked on several phases at the premises for over the last 4 years with this last project being the final touch to a phased master plan. It is often the case that when clients ask us to re-design their existing homes, the completed “grand design” includes so much more than originally anticipated. This is obviously reflected in the budget figures and then often phased over time which enables the clients to reach their home’s maximum potential. Design in this way helps reduce the “hindsight” risk that is often the case when building and altering a home. The new space that we have created here takes advantage of the orientation of the plot with the majority of the glazed oak elevations being southerly facing. All of the oak frame is thoroughly air dried, minimising the risk of movement, with the external direct glaze boarding being kiln dried prime grade quarter sawn oak. This quarter sawn oak that we use in conjunction with our direct glaze system is extensively used in making furniture due to its stability and clean graining, […]

Jun 03

by jhaadmin in Case Studies 0 comments tags: oak frame, Oak framed extension

Sulby Extension

We recently completed an Oak frame extension in the village of Sulby, Leicstershire. Sulby its self is a tiny village of a handful of houses that were originally built as servants quarters for Sulby Hall which was originally built in 1793-95. The original existing house was a lovely timber framed structure so the idea for continuity of materials and design was to extend using the age old method of Oak framing. Our Brief from the clients was that they would like a room that was large enough to seat there entire family and also to house a much larger up to date kitchen with a substantial island unit with also the possibility of a wood burner and 2 comfy chairs. After several attempts the final design shone through and after 5 weeks of on site works the finished structure was complete in time for Christmas 2011. We are working on phase 2 of the Sulby project which will incorporate a similar design in materials but the functions will be different as phase 2 is more of an Oak Framed wrap around that extends around there all ready large front room giving them full view of the Sulby estate gardens. Phase 2 […]

Nov 22

by jhaadmin in Case Studies 0 comments tags: oak frame, Workshop

Glaston Tractor Oak Workshop

The client gave us a specific brief for this oak workshop, mainly that the structure was to house his collection of 1940’s tractors that he restored and that the structure needed to blend into the surrounding garden. The use of oak feather edge boarding on the vertical surfaces helped mask the structure while the cedar shingles on the roof gave a softer finished look to the roofline. This restoration of his collection of World War II tractors often meant the removal of the engines and other very heavy parts so a main eaves beam running through the centre of the structure was included in the frame to enable him to hoist these in and out of place. We also included, along the length of the garage, a work bench with overhead lighting which enabled him to carry out his many hours of work in comfort. Several roof lights were incorporated into the design as well as a hand made oak flush casement window and a gable casement to flood the workshop with as much natural light as possible. The doors were again hand made to the frame specification all hung using stainless steel hinges and antique black door furniture. Natural […]

Nov 21

by jhaadmin in Case Studies 0 comments tags: oak frame, Oak framed extension

Bisbrook Garden Room

Oak Framed Garden Room (Oak Framed Sun Room & Orangery) The initial design for this particular project was to integrate a spacious ground floor oak frame extension to the existing 16th century cottage. The L shape footprint of the cottage led to the design concept of a centred structure tying the two sides of the existing cottage together, creating a large vaulted area that could be accessed via the kitchen and front room. To create the space to enable us to build the newly designed structure called for a huge amount of earth to be excavated from the site. To retain the earth bank after excavation, we utilized the strength and longevity of oak sleepers to create a retainer wall, which, after completion, gave a soft, natural look to an otherwise large vertical area. The roof configuration was chosen to give a more stand-alone feel to the structure and to aid the existing window positions. The large amount of glazing to the new oak structure called for a highly insulated roof to help compensate for any heat loss from the underfloor heating system that was also incorporated into the design. Underfloor heating is the most economical way to heat the majority […]

Grade II listed project built in the Welland valley

Simple Welland Valley design

Hallaton listed Oak home

Burghley House Oak Frame

Minimalist Oak frame extension

Cruck trussed home, Horninghold

Langton Grand Design

Sulby Extension

Glaston Tractor Oak Workshop

Bisbrook Garden Room

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