Structural steelwork erection for our glazed family room rear extension is completed and the new spaces become tangible.

Utilising building methods more commonly associated with commercial construction has enabled us to create an internal space with very little visible structure; the garden will blend into the family room and kitchen beyond. Full-height floor to ceiling bifold doors and fixed glazed panels will enclose the new space, at the same time allowing two sides of the room to be opened up completely.

Extra care has been taken with the specification of glazing and insulation materials to minimise heat losses from the enlarged home.

Monitoring our energy use and implementing strategies for reducing consumption has been an important first step in improving efficiency in our energy policy and is a process we highly recommend to our clients, but like all businesses and homes we need electricity to function.

The switch to Ecotricity’s New Energy Plus tariff now confirms that our quota of electricity consumed within our office, shop and studio has been generated from 100% renewable sources.  Ecotricity’s policy of continual investment in their own generation infrastructure is an example that many other suppliers could learn much from and will help underpin a sustainable future.

Find out more about Ecotricity at their website, and see if the switch suits you.

From taking posession of the site on Tuesday, internal strip out, excavation and foundations for the contemporary glass extension had been completed by building contractor Dean Edwards Ltd by Friday afternoon.

Due to tight time constraints for the on-site work, Dwell prepared detailed construction information for the structural steelwork and specialist glazing, allowing orders for these long lead-time elements to be placed weeks in advance of the site start.

Intended for insulating existing homes and not for use in new buildings or extensions, rolls of 100mm and 170mm thick Rockwool insulation for DIY installation are £3 each including delivery.

Find out more and do your bit for energy conservation here.

The project  is targeted to achieve Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, an initiative intended to drive sustainable development with Level 6 being the highest attainable.  In addition to design features such as careful site orientation to embrace and control solar gain, the project will feature very high levels of thermal insulation, a wood chip biomass boiler system, rainwater harvesting tank and Biorock biodigester sewage treatment plant.

Our client’s dream home is a fusion of this 21st century environmentally-responsible technology with rustic 15th century construction techniques, the concept for the building based on the Bayleaf House at the Weald and Downland Museum in Singleton, which is understood to date from the early 1400s. 

How different living conditions will be!

“We were delighted with the design service provided by Dwell for our loft conversion project.  Their friendly and efficient service was quick to understand what we were trying to achieve and offered many useful suggestions and improvements to our concept.  Moreover, they worked closely with our building contractor from the outset to jointly ensure that the work was planned, approved and progressed without issue, delay or any unexpected surprises.  We didn’t think building projects could run this smoothly!”

The project, located close to our studio in Scaynes Hill is, we believe, the first of its type in the UK. Framed with locally-grown FSC-certified oak, the house will realise our client’s long term ambition of a sustainable Wealden Hall House designed to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5 (CSH Level 6 being the highest attainable).

Featuring amongst other aspects a super-insulated envelope, wood chip boiler system, photovoltaic panels and biodigester package sewerage plant, the scheme for a has received favourable feedback from Mid Sussex Green Party candidate Paul Brown. Mr Brown comments:

“I wish to support this application for an energy efficient Code 5 compliant dwelling on the owners site. I hope that MSDC will see fit to support this development and that it will become the first of many exemplars to builders and developers in Mid Sussex”.

A final decision from the planning department at MSDC is due within the next couple of weeks, and we look forward to receiving news of its approval.

Poor ground conditions and the torrential rain of the last week have hampered progress slightly, but with foundations now cast, Paladin Construction are set to continue apace on this large extension and alteration project.

When complete, our clients will enjoy distant views over the rolling Sussex countryside from their new kitchen, living room and enlarged master suite which will feature floor to ceiling bi-fold doors and glass balcony.

The site has planning consent for the two homes, which is due to expire shortly, so immediate action is required to allow construction work to commence in early August.

Knowing the value Dwell’s team can add to their projects, an immediate review of the consent, site history and approved drawings was commissioned resulting in suggested improvements. By rationalising the plan layouts to increase natural daylight and simplify the build process, savings of both time and money are anticipated. Through negotiation with the planners, it is hoped to improve the external appearance of the units, in turn helping to increase the end values of the homes.

Work is underway to fast-track the construction drawings ready for Building Control approval from one of Dwell’s consultant BCOs.

Harmony at Home was established in 2004 and is now a successful nanny agency with branches across the UK dedicated to helping parents find appropriate childcare. 

The new store will stock a range of modern and traditional toys and accessories carefully selected by Frankie, herself an experienced Norland nanny, and her team.

Dwell have produced a series of design and layout options for the store, offering their own retailing experience to help maximise the space and functionality of the new store.

We wish Frankie and her team every success with the new venture and look forward to the imminent launch!