While living in Bristol, Chris and Ann Preston had been looking for a new home for a couple of years, with little success.
"We would come across either fantastic houses in dodgy locations or fabulous locations with a tiny cottage that had little scope for extending," says Chris. "But then we found a 200-year-old brick farmhouse with lots of oak beams, which was set in 60 acres of beautiful Monmouthshire countryside."
The couple’s original plan was to renovate and extend but when they commissioned a survey on the building, the results came as a blow – they were told they weren’t allowed to go near it as it was structurally unsafe.
They therefore made the case to the planners that the building was effectively a liability and that a new building such as this was a much more desirable option. "It was a bit of a battle, but the vote went in our favour," says Chris.
And this planning approval proved a blessing in another way – during demolition of the old property it was discovered that many of the oak beams were infested with death-watch beetle, which would have been incredibly costly to eradicate.
Project details
- Location Monmouth
- Project Self-build oak frame detached
- House size 310sq m
- Build cost £550,000
Design with a difference
When it came to the design, the new owners had already formed their own ideas about the look of the building, including certain must-have features.
"I can’t bear blandness," says Chris, "so it had to contain elements of interest. Also, we wanted a house that was easy to navigate, but 'broken plan' so that there were distinct areas rather than one large space."
After initially looking around for architects in South Wales the pair decided to go with Westworks, a practice located in Bristol, and the partnership proved to be a fruitful one.
"Our aim was to reflect the clients’ need for a contemporary home that was not run-of-the-mill," says Tansy Duncan, who was the architect in charge of the design and planning process. "This meant a sensitive approach to materiality that steered away from the concrete-and-glass aesthetic," she continues.
"They wanted a building that sat comfortably in the landscape while simultaneously offering a place from which to enjoy the spectacular views offered by the site. The response to the site had to reflect the articulation of the existing buildings and the old farmhouse."
Building with oak
Meanwhile, a visit to Oakwrights in 2019 cemented Chris and Ann’s inclination to use a post and beam oak frame, rather than the steel frame solutions they had been offered elsewhere.
The company’s frame designer, Julian Pilkington, takes up the story: "It immediately stood out and appealed to me as a project I wanted to work on – with its black charred 'shou sugi ban' design, it was at the upper end of contemporary-style projects that cross our desk here," he says. "Coupled with the gently sloping site, backing on to mature woodland, it had potential to be a truly unique project."
The project did meet certain challenges along the way, when in full design stage the pandemic struck and Oakwrights had to transfer to working and communicating online.
"Although we coped on the design development side, restrictions imposed on trades and suppliers meant the project had to take a pause in late 2020," says Julian. "Resuming again in 2022, with a new enthusiasm, the frame and Wrightwall encapsulation panels were erected in the glorious summer sunshine."
During the build, the couple lived in a static caravan nearby. "I then converted a tractor shed into a yoga studio which had a kitchenette and shower room added," says Chris, whose involvement in the actual build was restricted to some general management and answering any questions, all while renovating the outbuildings.
"I did design and build the solar screens, as these were an extra to the contract, and it was something I could manage, so I took that on at the end of the project," he says. "I think they are very successful."
Special touches
Building a house that was sympathetic to its surroundings was one of the primary considerations for Chris and Ann, and this is evident in various ways.
"The bricks we used were metric in size but were sourced from a company that specialises in producing vernacular bricks and even had the capability of matching them to existing ones," says Tansy.
"While we didn’t do that, we selected a brick that complemented the existing buildings on site. Also, the internal chimney is skinned using only the reclaimed bricks from the farmhouse, of which we saved as many as possible during demolition. There is also an original oak lintel installed within it."
But though many of the materials are traditional in their nature, this house is proudly 21st century. "We have MVHR and I never fail to sing its praises," says Chris. "I always got frustrated at the idea of putting a lot of effort into double glazing and sealing around the windows, and then having a trickle vent, which lets the cold air back in. Having MVHR gives you ventilation but without the downside."
The air source heat pump and MVHR provide most of the house’s heating load, which is supplemented by ground floor underfloor heating and a woodburner in winter for those colder days. The high-level windows vent the house and provide night-time cooling.
Spacial success
One of the aspects most loved by this house’s proud owners is the sense of light and space it affords them, with the flow of light being unimpeded thanks to glass balustrading throughout.
From the open-plan kitchen-diner to the light, bright sitting area, not to mention wow-factor rooms such as the under-eaves study space and conveniently placed ground-floor bedroom, this oak-filled home exudes warmth and homeliness.
Creating a focal point
Project architect Tansy Duncan says, "The main focus of the house is the central brick chimney, which was built on the footprint of the existing chimney. It anchors the new house to the history of the site and supports the green oak-tread staircase.
"It also provides storage, but more importantly, makes provision for a time when mobility may become an issue, as it can provide space for an accessible platform lift up to bedrooms on the first floor. And from an aesthetic view, it offers texture and character through its beautifully crafted surface of salvaged bricks from the old house. We were lucky to find such talented masons."
"We’re glad that we made the most of the space," says Chris. "You wouldn’t normally have the luxury of this much room in an ordinary property but we’ve lived here now for almost two years, and when we wake up in the morning, we get so much joy from the quantity and quality of space in and around the house."
If you enjoyed looking around this property, you might also like to tour this colourful 1970s terrace, which was transformed with a clever timber-frame extension. Or, take a look inside this future-proofed oak-frame house, converted from a barn.
