Welcome to Our Blog - Natural Structures

Dec 21

by sian stanhope in News 0 comments

simple , minimum but effective

Class Q With Minimal materials and a simple approach to design we have managed to create this stunning Class Q conversion in the village of Tur Langton. Please see “case studies” for more information about our latest completed home.

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Nov 20

by sian stanhope in Case Studies 0 comments

Modern Rustic Class Q

This roll top steel barn was once the cattle dairy on the Guiness estate , set with-in the orchard and the family arboretum the position is near perfect , creating containment but allowing maximum natural light helping to create this perfect end of day sanctuary. Class Q was used to enable this conversion to take place , as with all class Q developments the parameters you have to work with in are very strict and it takes a delicate and experienced hand to not only obtain class Q approval but then to design and build to the sites maximum potential. The often large minimal spaces that come hand in hand with these conversions offer huge amounts of creativity, we here at natural structures relish all the options open to us when designing these projects, often keeping existing materials and using them to create continuity through out the project. Less is more…….. In this particular project the main material was steel and concrete , we added oak and used these three main material choices throughout the build. With a polished concrete floor covering the entire ground floor area of 300m2 , the steel columns creating the structural element and then […]

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Nov 20

by sian stanhope in Case Studies 0 comments

Modern Class Q (as published in Pride)

Drive Around Rutland & Leicestershire and it won’t be long before you come across unloved old farm buildings which have seen better days. Even in their formative years these were utilitarian structures, intended to be practical, not pretty. But where the rest of us see function, Simon Lewington sees form… and potential. That’s because he heads up Natural Structures, the Leicestershire-based design-led building firm which specialises in the creation of unique buildings the latest building methods combined with materials like French oak ,glass , steel and stone to create beautiful buildings from concept to completion. Traditionally when we’ve shown off Simon’s talent, it’s been to demonstrate his team’s ability to create oak-framed extensions, usually on period properties, to add modern usable spaces to older buildings, typically in conservation areas and adjacent to listed properties – in other words, achieving modern structures whilst ensuring these remain in keeping with their surroundings. This project, though, along with two other similar projects now complete is designed to show how Simon and his team can create an entire structure and a stunning contemporary home in even the most utilitarian setting. “The owner and I both loved the building and saw its potential right from […]

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Aug 20

by Simon Lewington in Case Studies 0 comments

Tranquility

Swimming against one of the most powerful indoor jet pools available, facing lakes set in acres of natural habitat you could easily believe you had arrived in some exotic location for an extravagant few days of exercise and relaxation. In fact this is a private home in Leicestershire just designed and completed by ourselves, the ground floor consists of a large vaulted multi-function room which for now is a very comfortable and airy front room and dining area ,stairs from this room lead onto the 1st floor and also lead down to the large jet pool where the gym is interlinked with the pool by sliding glass doors set between oak posts, next to this there is a shower room and WC and the obligatory plant room. An 8 meter aperture can be created with our hand made oak bi-folding doors, the framed landscaped area includes a large oak deck that holds the external sofas, this is wrapped by a split porcelain terrace, this terrace was designed to be on two levels , these levels are separated by a large curved organic S line, the two areas hold the granite water feature, the large sunken fire pit and BBQ area. […]

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Nov 19

by Simon Lewington in Case Studies 0 comments

Dazzling Design, Spratton

We love a good before and after photo, and this project shows how our oak frames can really update a home. Our client wanted to replace their traditional, glazed conservatory with a contemporary oak-framed garden room. One very important factor was that the room needed to serve 3 functions; kitchen, dining and living room space. We’re finding more and more that our clients are asking for open-plan spaces to provide seamless living for the family. An extension is a great way to introduce space in any size house. Oak frames are particularly wonderful because they are contemporary whilst simultaneously being timeless – ageing well with the house whilst also allowing the occupants to style the room to their changing tastes. In this build, we removed an internal wall to increase the space of the kitchen, moved the dining area into the new extension area which then created space for a family living area. Light was another important factor of this build, therefore we used floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise the light entering the space, and to frame the stunning views of the land. To complete the renovation, our client wanted a clean and contemporary patio to further update the house and […]

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Jul 31

by Simon Lewington in Case Studies 0 comments

Cottage Extension, Ashley

This beautiful old cottage is situated in the Leicestershire countryside, it is as pretty as it is quaint. But despite its pros, it has the similar problems as all cottages that we come across; low ceilings, small windows, very contained and not much light. The brief for this project was to create space in the kitchen and increase light throughout the ground floor. To complement the existing house, a flat-roofed design was chosen – as with all projects, it is essential that the new build is sympathetic to the existing, and a flat roof design sits well and doesn’t impose on its surroundings. We also ensured our stonework complimented and colour matched the ‘random coursing’ stonework of the existing cottage to further aid the transition between old and new. Because of the low ceilings, we decided to put two atriums into the flat roof to really maximise as much natural light as possible. To further increase this, the large windows in the extension enable light to flood into the rest of the house. Cottages are known for having unusual layouts, and this one doesn’t disappoint. We love its unique kitchen which has been cleverly designed to maximise space by wrapping […]

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