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The greenest building is the one that already exists
As a practice we specialise in the adaption and re-use of existing and historic buildings, to help make them as sustainable as possible. Our two directors are passionate about sustainability and the historic built environment. With Stuart having expertise in all things eco-tech and Kirsty a qualified Conservation Architect, they make a great combination.
We were heartened by the campaign launched recently by the Architects Journal encouraging the Re-use of existing buildings. RetrofitFirst asks architects to sign up to putting the re-use of buildings first and to work , where possible, with what is already in our built world. The quote above is from last week’s magazine cover and we thought it perfectly encapsulated our own beliefs about working with existing buildings in the south west.
The demolition of existing structures to enable the building of new ones is clearly not a sustainable approach – even if the new building uses less energy. The best approach is to help make our existing building stock more sustainable by reducing unnecessary air leakage, improving insulation in an appropriate manner and making sure they are well looked after by carefully repairing and renewing them.
Old buildings are incredibly adaptable – not something that can always be said of our new building stock, which is often difficult to adapt to new uses. Careful extensions and alterations to older buildings can help to breathe new life into a project, without detrimentally impacting on their historic significance.
Many of our projects use natural, breathable insulation to help reduce heat loss. The use of natural fibre insulation is growing rapidly at the moment, with natural and sustainable options on the market such as sheep wool, find out more here. This is particularly successful when converting loft spaces or barns. Solid walls however don’t always need an additional layer of insulation, with thick stone and cob walls working as excellent heat stores. The image below shows the addition of external wood fibre insulation to a 1970’s extension. This approach works well with existing cavity walls, although insulating internally is often a better approach for listed buildings.
Historic England encourage owners to look to the past for solutions to problems of heat loss and draughts. Historically home owners would have hung tapestries and had thick curtains or shutters to help keep them warm. A similar approach today and help keep your Listed property warm without unnecessary intervention. See their advice on their website here.
Repairing old windows is also a much more sustainable approach than replacing them with UPVC. Many windows are able to be adapted with the insertion of slim double glazing units with systems like Pilkington Spacia providing a high quality option. Secondary glazing is not always the most practical solution, but can works well and companies like Mitchell & Dickinson in North Devon offer a service to repair and renovate timber windows alongside installing very low impact secondary glazing.
Using recycled materials is an approach we would like to take more often. Rotor, a Brussels-based design practice are creating a website that will help architects and building owners source recycled materials for their build. The UK version of the site can be accessed Here We are pleased to see Exeter’s Toby’s Reclamation Yard on the list, and hopefully more locations in the south west will be added. Rotor have an arm of their business that salvages materials from demolition sites and sorts them for re-use. Hopefully this idea will be will be taken on in the UK and it will become easier to source recycled materials for new build and refurbishment projects.
Creating good design in Exeter: a collaboration
Last week our director, Kirsty Curnow-Bayley, ran an event at the RAMM in order to discuss good design in the city. Collaboration with the Exeter branch of the RIBA brought together architects, planners and members of public to engage in discussion of different aspects of the design process through participating in an interactive design charrette.
Chief Executive and Growth Director of Exeter City Council, Karime Hassan, introduced the event and through exploring the elements that help create great cities, attendees were able to discover what architects consider during the design process for their projects.
We are enthused by the exceptionally positive feedback received and we look forward to working towards more in the future.
Crumbs Devon: House Call – Middle Aged
Our work on the 14th-century Staddons House, Dartmoor has featured in the December 2019 edition of Crumbs.
Making historic buildings energy efficient – Heating and Insulation
Old v. New Heating Strategies
Older buildings were constructed as a cellular arrangement of rooms that would be individually heated as and when they were being used. In comparison, modern heating strategies use electronic controls to tailor the heating in the house to your exact preference. It is also important to consider the difference in building materials used in the construction of old buildings compared to the present day. These materials may not necessarily be compatible to use together, for example, the very hard material of concrete may damage the softer materials of the older building.
The older houses were built with the principles of using traditional methods of retaining heat, for example:
Nowadays houses are built with heating features such as insulation, electronic heating system and waterproof cladding.
Insulating historic buildings
The insulation of historic buildings is one of the most important aspects to consider when upgrading the infrastructure of an old building. Traditionally, older buildings have solid walls, whereas newer buildings tend to have cavity walls
A cavity wall is a wall formed of 2 separate walls (usually brick and block) with a space between them. Insulation is fitted in the space between them meaning there is one “wet” wall, on the outside of the building, and one “dry” wall on the inside of the building.
Older buildings don’t have this cavity insulation, the walls allow a degree of moisture penetration into their structure but avoid damp problems due to the breathable nature of the materials used, for example renders based on lime, earth or clay and finishes such as lime wash. These materials absorb water, but also allow for easy evaporation.
Therefore, using modern construction methods such as cement-based materials, ‘plastic’ paints and waterproof sealants will not be effective on an older building and could damage the walls of the property.
Natural insulation materials tend to be much more breathable than synthetic materials and therefore will be more effective and less damaging to use on an older building. They act as moisture buffers and tend to “breathe” with the original walls of the building. Examples of these natural materials include wood fibre, hemp, sheep’s wool, cellulose, aerogel, calcium silicate and many more.
Sheep’s wool insulation
These materials will also have excellent sustainable properties, such as:
Tips to make your building more energy efficient
When making historic buildings more energy efficient there are some simple things that you can do to begin with, that a relatively inexpensive and are less likely to cause problems with the structure of the building itself.
More expensive methods that would be the next step up from this would be:
Heritage project win following appeal: Upton Hellions, Mid Devon
Our proposals for work on a barn on the site of a Grade II* Listed Building have been granted planning permission following an appeal!
This project in Upton Hellions, Mid Devon combines a historically-significant site with a Class Q barn conversion, which has resulted in a project perfectly suited to our experienced team at Living Space, who have an 100% success rate in gaining planning permission for barn conversions.
The historical setting: Upton Hellions Barton
Hellions Barton is a Grade II* listed building which was originally a 16th-century gentleman’s home, but was converted into a farmhouse in more recent times. The barn we are transforming lies on the same land as this residence, and as such is significant due to its situation within the wider setting of the listed building.
Our plans propose the conversion of the barn attached to Hellions Barton from agricultural to domestic use. We achieved permission for this through applying for permission as a Class Q conversion, and then submitted an appeal after our application was ruled invalid.
The barn in question
By its very nature, Class Q permitted development does not involve any alterations to the structure of the building itself, or its form – the main changes are therefore linked to the fact that the barn will now be used as a residence. While the barn is on the site of a listed building, it is only considered to be within the wider setting of it, and therefore changes to it pose a low level of impact on the character of the area.
Gaining planning permission
Class Q planning permission is a hard-won trophy, especially when a listed building is involved, and this project was no exception. Having gone to appeal after our initial planning application was declined, we were able to gain consent through demonstrating that conversion of the barn would not negatively impact on the setting of the historic building. We are delighted that our designs, which respect the site and the historic relationship between the barn and house, have proved acceptable!
Watch this space for progress on site at Upton Hellions!
Looking to gain Class Q planning permission? You can find more articles on our blog:
We would love to hear about your barn conversion project – get in touch!
Addressing Sustainability in Old Buildings
Incorporating environmental and sustainability measures into buildings is an essential part of good design and allows new construction to refresh old and so that buildings will stand the test of time.
Hunsett Mill is located in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, a man-made wetland sustained through human intervention and the building of water-pumping mills, dykes and canals. It is an example of an older building that become redundant due to the introduction of electric pumps.
Here are some examples of how the site become more sustainable:
The nature of older buildings means they are already sustainable in their own right. For example, the materials they are made of are often locally sourced and produced and can be easily recycled or re-used at the end of their life.
Another example of where sustainability can be incorporated into older buildings is the additions of green, or living roofs.
A green roof is a system that uses vegetation as the finish of the roof covering instead of just the weathering materials.
What are the benefits of a green roof?
A great example of one of our past projects incorporating a living roof is Dunsford House, pictured below. The roof line was designed to mirror the angle of the sloping ground. The NatureMat was particularly suited to low pitched and curved roofs and restored the green natural environment with a composite vegetated mat with a 90% mature plant cover comprising 6- 8 species.
Photographer Joakim Borén
We think that Roger Hunt summarises incorporating sustainability into old buildings rather well – “To make our old buildings sustainable, compromises are inevitable but we can’t simply wrap them in thermally efficient, airtight membranes and ‘duvets’ of insulation and hope for the best.” It is important to come up with effective solutions to slightly challenging problems so that old buildings can be enjoyed for many generations.
The Economics of Building
“How much is my build going to cost?” – an extremely common question we get asked all the time. In this article, we hope to give some hints and tips as to what kind of ball park figures you could be looking at for your build.
We found this really great infographic from Self-build Insurance, that gives some of the facts and figures of building your own home.
However, it is important to consider that these figures will likely change according to location and the type of build you are envisioning.
Here are some links to building cost calculators, that may give you a better idea of how much your specific build will cost. These figures are not our estimates but will give you a very rough idea if you are in the dark about spending.
Grand Designs – Build Cost Calculator
Jewson – Build Cost Calculator
Home Building and Renovating – Build Cost Calculator
Finished and flourishing: our barn conversion in Chagford
We are thrilled with the bright, characterful and attractive home that has been created through our conversion of a barn in the historic market town of Chagford.
The brief
Our clients came to us seeking architects who would bring a contemporary approach and modern style in the barn’s internal refurbishment. Whilst they already had existing planning permission for conversion, our clients wanted to review the design and make a number of changes to it in order to improve the main space as an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area.
Why a barn conversion?
Barn conversions can provide a unique means of creating a stunning residence in a location that is otherwise impenetrable in terms of development. Obtaining permission for the erection of an entirely new dwelling can encounter obstacles, but barn conversions allow historic structures to be maintained and transformed into homes with character, often in sought-after locations. In this case, the barn and adjoining yard are situated in close proximity to St Michael’s Church, some of which dates from as early as the 13th century.
Clean, contemporary finishes are complemented by wood and stone elements throughout the barn.
At first floor level, the converted barn has three bedrooms and a suspended walkway that connects the rooms and leads to the staircase.
This conversion has provided a space in which the barn’s historic agricultural use has been worked with in order to create a modern living area that benefits from its special location and rustic stone finish.
Two are better than one: the curious case of Class Q
We have recently gained Class Q approval for the proposed conversion of two barns at a site near Cullompton to residential use. What makes this ruling a particularly good victory is that the two barns’ status as agricultural buildings was up for debate and how these can be converted retaining the structure and cladding in place.
The challenges when submitting a Class Q application is to convincingly demonstrate how the building can be converted and that the use of the building in question is primarily agricultural. Class Q legislation then hold out the possibility for it to be converted to a dwelling.
The proposals
We are delighted that the local authority have deemed the conversion as a means of conserving the design and external appearance of the building. The bigger barn will form a spacious three-bedroomed residence, and features a covered reception area on its west elevation, as pictured above. An open-plan kitchen and dining area allow for a bright and light main living space with lots of glass, which allows for a sense of flow with the surrounding countryside. The benefits of creating your dream home in a former barn are perfectly illustrated here with this beautiful setting, large site and a shell in which to a characterful and unique place to live can be constructed.
The second barn is not quite as big, and has been used mainly as an office to serve the horticultural business. It is by no means outdone by its neighbour, and has an en-suite bedroom and large dressing room. The front door opens on to a lobby from which you move through into the combined kitchen and living room.
We are looking forward to these new homes being built – stay tuned to see their progress!
Making Historic Buildings Energy Efficient – Combating Mould
Mould – many home-owner’s worst nightmare. We hope that this article will provide you with some tips and tricks to avoid mould forming in historic buildings.
When a wall warms up after a cool night, air contained within its pores expands as it warms and a small proportion moves out of the wall via the connected pores. As the wall cools down the air within contracts and air moves back into the wall from the atmosphere. Air also diffuses through the building fabric, regardless of temperature. So masonry walls ‘breathe’ – out as they warm up, and in as they cool.
Understanding why mould forms in historic buildings, there are 4 main sources of moisture that are likely to affect traditional buildings.
1. Rain
Rain will normally be absorbed into the outer layers of permeable material, and then safely evaporate back out again when the weather changes. Problems may arise, however, if wall heads and other vulnerable areas are less well protected than was originally intended
2. Rising Damp
Traditional buildings can normally cope with this quite well. However, it depends on the balance of the water intake (from rain) and the evaporation of the water. Problems are likely to occur when the ground water level rises or impermeable materials such as cement renders are added.
3. Internal Moisture Vapour
The occupants of the building can generate a considerable amount of moisture through breathing, cooking and washing. This warmer vapour tends to condense on the cold surfaces and create moisture
4. Damaged Services
Water from damaged pipe-work is a self-evident problem which can and should be resolved by normal maintenance
How to avoid the growth of mould
How to get rid of mould