Selfbuilder & Homemaker

LOW POINT themselves and their three young girls who were split up the roo ine o the new steading. nstead all under eight at the time.” o having one long profile, they played with “We chose our own THE VISION the skyline to suggest three pitched red gables supplier for the windows, James and Lorna’s brief was to design a modern which increase in volume from east to west. and we were unlucky. If steading with an abundance of light and lots I was doing it again, I of room for their three small children to play. “The three buildings and the three peaks would stick with the However, James explains how they’re the “kind were a curveball,” James recalls. “When I said contractor’s choice.” of family that likes to break off and have time to modern steading, I also wasn’t expecting a ourselves.” He adds: “So, while we wanted to walled garden and a courtyard with a well in the jul/aug 2022 create warm, family-friendly areas we wanted middle. The well had been discovered during to offer everyone their own space if they the demolition of the steading. I think these needed it.” ideas came from the architects visiting other sites in the area and seeing what used to be Family-friendly areas didn’t necessarily mean there. It was totally unexpected, but as a design open plan, as James is keen to point out: “Lorna it worked so well.” and I had that conversation and Lorna decided that the kitchen and dining room should be Another exterior feature that James hadn’t more enclosed, so she didn’t have an audience envisaged is the practical pergola – a semi- when she was cooking dinner.” covered walkway that links the house to James’ karate studio and o fice. t s a very e posed site Loader Monteith carried out a site and charac- and very windy. Most of the farm buildings in the ter analysis of the area and using the site of the area tend to be horseshoe-shaped to shield the existing steading albeit slightly larger, the design workers from the wind,” says Iain. “Choosing a that Iain and Matt came up with was not what courtyard design not only echoes the buildings James was expecting. Taking their inspiration that were there but offers protection from the from the strong geometry that is often found on elements.” However, while James wanted to be agricultural sites, the architects drew on this to protected from the weather, they also wanted to see it and that s why the architects specifically lo- www.sbhonline.co.uk 51

cated the reading room at the south west corner. family with the options they require. Slide the “It has dual aspect glazing so you can watch the partitions back and the reading room becomes weather passing by while remaining warm and part of the sitting room and likewise with the cosy,” says Iain. guest bedroom. Move another partition and guests have more privacy and space to access The reading room is a pivotal part of the through a lobby rather than directly into the property and demonstrates the clever ways in main living space. which the house can easily ‘expand and con- tract.’ The L-shaped design starts at the entrance This open/close effect is also accentuated by vestibule and utility room which leads into the the change in ceiling heights and divisions. kitchen, dining area and sitting room with the The interesting e terior profile has een mirrored reading room in the corner. Then, the north side inside, creating the separation that James and contains the sleeping accommodation with four Lorna were keen to capitalise upon. “Following bedrooms and a guest bedroom on the upper the roo ine internally and e posing the ceiling level of the largest gable, providing privacy from lets the volumes kick up and over the partitions,” the working side of the farm. Each ground level Iain explains. “At eye level you have a degree bedroom also connects directly into the private of enclosure, but you have the volume at courtyard by way of glass doors. roof height.” INTERIOR AESTHETICS “The initial plan for the guest bedroom was While the design and layout now worked in to locate it on a mezzanine level but we felt it tandem, deciding on a finish that would wasn’t private enough,” says James. “Then Iain and Matt came up with the idea to use sliding ow through each space took a it more doors and partitions which allows us to balance consideration, and the initial proposal to line privacy with open plan design.” the ceiling in Douglas Fir was prohibitively It’s an effective solution and provides the 52 www.sbhonline.co.uk jul/aug 2022

CONTACTS/ SUPPLIERS ARCHITECTS Loader Monteith loadermonteith.co.uk MAIN CONTRACTOR & JOINERY Lawrie Construction lawriegroup.co.uk KITCHEN Archispek archispek.com STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Entuitive entuitive.com TILES Mandarin Stone Mandarinstone.com WOOD FLOORING Atkinson & Kirby akirby.co.uk expensive. “The quote was enough to buy a us as a family. It just so happens that it looks very nice car!” James remembers. “However, really good as well.” everyone went back to the drawing board and the contractors tried pine and standard plywood, Externally, the materials have been chosen and once the ase fire coating had een applied or two distinct reasons. irstly, to re ect the the effect was exactly what we wanted.” heritage of the site and secondly to mirror the existing buildings in the environs. “On the west Indeed, looking at the completed build, the side we took the red sinusoidal cladding down material palette has been kept simple, but it’s onto the elevation because it’s still a working incredibly effective. The walls are plasterboard, farm and that’s where the storage barns are and the oors are rick or oak, and the ceiling is that effect replicates them,” Iain explains. timber. The staircase which looks like solid oak is made from an MDF carcass and covered in oak James continues: “The architects did sug- gest many of the materials, but I requested the ooring. t s a very stripped ack palette ut ‘sinusoidal’ roof as it reminds me of my Highland we spent a lot of time getting the little details roots. Much of the masonry and stonework came right,” Iain explains. These were things like from the original steading and we made the getting the ond o the oak oor and the her- ringbone brick just so, and ensuring the timber rick oor rom its ricks. treatment on the ceilings matched the kitchen A LABOUR OF LOVE finishes. Lorna designed the kitchen with The reclaimed rick oor ecame a lockdown Archispek, but we worked closely with them to pro ect or ames and uite a significant one ensure that the kitchen surfaces worked tonally too. With the build starting in March 2020, the with the ceiling.” project hit lockdown at its peak. James spent eight weeks hand cleaning 4000 hand cast bricks “The kitchen is exactly how Lorna wanted it and actually remembers it as quite an idyllic to be, but it wasn’t intended as a design state- time. “The weather was nice; in some respects, it ment,” James explains. “It was her idea to build was a quiet relaxing task. However, Lorna says I a peninsula rather than an island so that we often returned to the house at lunchtime moan- could all sit around it, which works brilliantly for jul/aug 2022 www.sbhonline.co.uk 53

Whether an idyllic time or not, the hard work has paid off and the reclaimed bricks juxtaposed with the oak ooring create a pleasing ow and uniformity throughout the house ing that I was nowhere near my daily target of a like a little ante chamber. There’s this tension in hundred bricks!” coming from the open landscape into this little chamber which embraces you. When the door is An idyllic time or not, the hard work has paid closed you don’t know what’s beyond and then it off and the reclaimed bricks juxtaposed with the opens up to the light and the view right through oak ooring create a pleasing ow and uni orm- the house. t s oored with glazed dairy ricks, ity throughout the house. This lovely feature which are more practical and have a darker and posed a few problems for the architects and smoother texture than those used elsewhere in Loader Monteith had to overcome the challenge the house. o incorporating under oor heating eneath the layer of thick brick by digging foundations of 90 James adds: “You come from the outside into cm. owever, this solution allows the rick oor this dark room, and you go from there into the to act as a thermal store throughout the day main house and it’s all bright and airy again. It’s while radiating a gentle warmth during the night. a bit like going into a tomb and coming out into the light. It’s a very dramatic effect. I liken it to a In the vestibule the bricks take on a more Resurrection Motif.” significant aesthetic role, firmly rooting the prop- erty’s ‘Ceangal’, which means Gaelic for bond or Despite the pandemic, the house was com- link in its landscape. A display of bricks from the pleted in August 2021 and now that the family different quarries has been created and there’s have had time to bed in, does James feel that also a full wall of Hamilton bricks at the entrance Ceangal House delivers as expected? “The – Hamilton being the family’s surname. “To be connection between the rooms and the roof honest, I was a little nervous about that feature, divisions was definitely something the architects brought to the table that I hadn’t envisioned, ut now it s finished it works well with the e te- and the courtyard space is something different rior and most people get the joke.” that really works. This farm has been in Lorna’s family for generations, and I wanted this house The vestibule provokes opinion from both cli- to be comfortable but a stimulating place to live ent and architect alike. “James and Lorna were in, and Iain and Matt have achieved that.” quite keen about how they came in from this rural setting into their home. The vestibule is 54 www.sbhonline.co.uk jul/aug 2022

INTERIORS Beautifully crafted. Built to last. e ni us e tends ni ne Premium British bathroom manufacturer The rand new Sani ush rom ni is a Elisa™ has announced the introduction complete ceramic toilet that eatures an of a completely customisable, modular integrated macerator and provides a stylish shower collection based around Aquahub™ solution or installing a WC into spaces – a unique, concealed valve technology where gravity drainage isn t an option. innovated in-house at Elisa. This stunning Whether it is a athroom in a asement or new mixer range offers a fully personalised lo t, or a cloakroom under the stairs, the choice of facias, shower outlets, heads and installation o a Sani ush is possi le with ust accessories, all compatible with the central a water supply and electrical connection. Aquahub valve. Each component is available Thanks to its two outlets, a asin or a shower in a brushed brass, polished chrome or matt can also e connected. The modern rimless design and traditional owl ase is as lack finish. ike Simpson, chie marketing practical as it is attractive. nd ecause the macerator is contained within o ficer at lisa, commented The lisa milie and Rosa collections can e the ceramic it s a compact, space saving option that per ectly conceals the as individual as the homeowners themselves, with the reassurance that the macerator unit rom sight. technology will be reliable and sustainable for years to come.” s les s ni c u s ni c u 01959 560003 www.elisabathrooms.com Drink, prep, clean – all you need, in one place A partnership made for the home haven SBH07_Elisa_Interiors - Bathrooms_PR.indd 1 Everything needed to work quickly and15/07S/2B0H2027_1S0a:2n4iflo_Interiors - Bathrooms & WetroomDs_rPaRk.sindisdw1ell known as the expert in cr0e4a/0ti7n/2g022 15:48 cleanly in the kitchen is all in one place with beautiful, clever storage for the home. Loved equally by savvy homeowners and prestig- the new BLANCO UNIT, a space-saving, ious developers, the creations can be seen timesaving, creative hub in the heart of the home. Sinks, taps and bins are the most in wardrobes, dressing rooms, walk-in ward- robes, room dividers, sliding doors and cabi- frequently used items in the kitchen; so the netry. When the beauty of Draks’ creations BLANCO UNIT combines these premium kitchen products in e i le packs that let the meets with the talent of the Laings team, the results are gorgeous, e ficient, unctional uyer choose a mi to suit any style and spaces in every room of the house. Laings is lifestyle. Water is key in the kitchen; from drink and food preparation to washing, well known for designing bespoke interiors with inspirational kitchens, bathrooms and hygiene and cleaning. The BLANCO UNIT edrooms along with oot rooms, home o fices, laundry rooms and any offers the choice of feature-packed smart taps, ultra-safe true-boiling water taps, and stunning semi pro essional or classic mi er taps in a variety other living spaces, for example. Now, the Laings showroom in Aberdeen displays the ingenuity of the Draks/Laings collaboration. o finishes. www.blanco.co.uk www.draks.co.uk SBH07_Blanco_Interiors - Kitchens_Edit.indd 1 04/07S/2B0H2027_1D4r:a4k4s_Interiors - Bedroom Furniture_Edit.indd 1 04/07/2022 15:17 jul/aug 2022 www.sbhonline.co.uk 55

INTERIORS LANDSCAPING & EXTERNAL WORKS SBH01 Demon Designs HP_Golden HP 31/01/2022 08:53 Page 1 56 www.sbhonline.co.uk ARCHITECTURAL GLASS Glass floors Balustrades and Staircases Automatic Doors Glazed fire doors and screens Complete supply and fit service Please contact us for details 01903 733206 www.demon-designs.co.uk [email protected] jul/aug 2022

INTERIORS Take your stairs for a spin Michael Edwards of Complete Stair Systems shares his expert advice on choosing a spiral staircase for your new uild or re ur ishment pro ect With so many choices available, Available in a more di ficulty to the process o selling choosing a spiral staircase can wide variety of your home. seem like a daunting task, but styles from the it is often much easier than you might classical to the Available in a wide variety of styles think. One of the most important factors contemporary, from the classical to the contemporary, to consider is the intended use of the there is a spiral there is a spiral staircase to suit every spiral staircase. With a spiral staircase staircase to suit setting. For most people living in being suitable for both internal and every setting traditional homes, timber is the popular external use, knowing whether you choice as it often complements existing want to use it to access a small external spiral staircase is typically used to balcony or create an impressive main access a single habitable room, a small ooring, doors, and architrave however, feature staircase within your home will mezzanine area, loft storage space, or for those wanting to be a bit more help you initially narrow the range of external balcony or terrace. In contrast, adventurous, materials of stainless steel options available to you. a Category B or ‘primary’ spiral staircase and glass can be combined to create a is intended to be used as the main stair very clean, ultra-contemporary look. With Aside from their unique sculptural in a home, accessing multiple bedrooms advancements in LED technology, it is form, spiral staircases are often attractive or living areas. As a rule, a Category A also increasingly easy and cost effective for their space saving qualities. While staircase will have a diameter of circa to integrate lighting into the staircase it is true that a spiral staircase will 1500 mm, and a Category B staircase itself, or the surrounding area, further generally have a smaller footprint than will have a diameter of circa 1900 enhancing the look of a spiral staircase. a conventional or ‘straight’ staircase, mm. It is important to note that these it is important to make your building measurements will vary slightly between The cost of a new spiral staircase can designer or architect aware of your different suppliers’ offerings. Whether for vary significantly and will largely e desire for a spiral staircase. The reason primary or secondary use, the finished determined by three main factors: height, for this is that the opening for a spiral opening for a spiral staircase, be it diameter, and materials. Whether for staircase is very different to that of a square or circular, should always be 100 internal or external use, a simple ‘off the conventional staircase and this will need mm greater than the diameter of the shelf’ kit system can start from as little as to be considered when positioning stair. This allows for onsite tolerance in £1000, while a fully bespoke glass and doors, walls, and oor oists in the fitting, and space on the outside o the stainless-steel primary spiral staircase design phase of your new build or handrail as it passes through the oor. will cost more than £15000. As a general re ur ishment pro ect. guide, the ma ority o o the shel kit Even if your spiral staircase won’t be systems will fall into the £1000 - £2500 As part of the design process, you inspected at the time of installation, price range, whereas £6k is a realistic will also need to make sure that your any areas of non-compliance can cause starting point or a mid level specification spiral staircase will comply with building problems later in time. For example, if bespoke spiral staircase. regulations. While your architect and you were to sell your home, a building most suppliers will be able to offer surveyor may well identify any aspects Purchasing a spiral staircase is a you general guidance on the building of the staircase that do not comply with significant investment in your home regulations relevant to a spiral staircase, building regulations. These situations can so, once you have decided your it is always worthwhile contacting often be costly to rectify and can add requirements, take time to make sure your local authority’s building control you choose the right supplier. Some of department to ask any specific uestions the more specialist suppliers will have you may have about the suitability of a showroom where you will have the the spiral staircase you are considering. opportunity to view and try various For extra peace of mind, ask for written spiral staircases. This should be an approval for your proposed spiral important consideration in your decision staircase design. making process as seeing and trying the physical product will give you a In a private single-family home, there greater eeling o confidence in are two categories of spiral staircases choosing your new staircase. that are relevant: Category A, and Michael Edwards is the sales and project Category B. A Category A or ‘secondary’ developer at Complete Stair Systems jul/aug 2022 www.sbhonline.co.uk 57

INTERIORS LANDSCAPING & EXTERNAL WORKS OFFSITE AND MODULAR CONSTRUCTION in it t e COOL! – That’s Wallform Sika Everbuild has introduced an alternative Building with BecoWallform is not only packaging design for its SikaCeram®-621 practical and quick, it’s also highly energy FlowFix Jointing Compound to make life e ficient. The system is designed to give easier for both merchants and trade. ma imum insulation, meaning it not only SikaCeram®-621 FlowFix Jointing Compound keeps the home warm in the winter ut it is available in sturdy 15kg buckets as well as also keeps it cool in the summer, bags, which will be easier for merchants to something other uilding systems find store and display outside. Trade customers di ficult to achieve. will also enefit as it ll e easier to transport and, because each bucket contains three Climate Change means there will e many separate kg sealed pouches, it doesn t all changes to lifestyles, whether keeping cool have to be used at the same time, meaning or warm, or even dry as the risk o ooding it s less waste ul. The SikaCeram® FlowFix system is designed for use with increases. The insulation o Wall orm construction, proven over the years porcelain tiles, and as the trend for installing patios using tiles rather than to keep our customers dry, com orta le and cool, also insulates against traditional stone ags takes hold, it is ecoming a popular choice. the rising cost o energy. 01652 653 844 www.becowallform.co.uk 0113 240 3456 www.everbuild.co.uk etc ete sub e ti n s ste Keller launches new brochure BH07_Everbuild_Landscaping & External WorksS-ePtacvrientge_PhRa.isndcdrea1ted a su oor prepar0a4t/0io7Sn/2B0H2027_1B5e:2co0 WallForm_PR.indd 1 Keller has produced a new Inspiration20/07/2022 16:01 system or lu ury vinyl tile L T installations brochure for 2022/23 which showcases an impressive variety of options for today’s to optimise oth the aesthetics and stylish, e i le kitchen with utch uality, longevity o the ooring. The system com prises Setcrete igh er ormance levelling sustainability and creativity at the heart of all. For a copy of the brochure, visit compound, Setcrete crylic rimer and eller s we site where a version can e Setcrete Rapid Set . ecause L T oor ing is particularly suscepti le to su oor downloaded. Alternatively, printed copies can e collected rom eller dealers the imper ections and undulations showing website’s dealer locator gives details. Full through to the final finish, it is essential to use a high uality levelling compound to of beautiful imagery – such as the new ar ling oods kitchen model pictured create a super smooth and level ase onto the brochure also features bonus elements such as XXL cabinets, handles, which vinyl tiles and planks can e laid. Setcrete igh er ormance level ling compound utilises a fi re rein orced cement ormulation to deliver hinges, drawers, waste systems, lighting and more! For further information, please visit the Keller website. enhanced per ormance in a variety o light to heavy duty applications. 01538 361 633 www.setcrete.co.uk www.kellerkitchens.com Norcros Rock-Tite is a hitBH07_Setcrete_Interiors - Floors & Floor Coverings_PR.indd 1 04/07S/2B0H2027_1K6e:l0le2r_Interiors - Kitchens_Edit.indd 1 04/07/2022 15:28 with landscapers! Norcros Rock-Tite Exterior Porcelain & Stone System was simplicity to use.” improvement to the property. The developed specifically to appeal This project was an ideal candidate tiles on this project are Johnson Tiles, to landscape designers, tilers and 20mm porcelain, 600 x 600, from their DIYers who want an easy-to-use system for Norcros Rock-Tite. The home owner Boundary collection in colour Dune. for installing the increasingly popular wanted to extend their living space Laying the tiles was made much easier 20mm porcelain tiles externally for into the garden with the installation of than it would otherwise have been patios and terraces. One of the latest porcelain tiles to form a new outdoor without the assistance of Norcros recommendations from a landscaper leisure area, making the transition from Rock-Tite. indicates that the product is certainly internal to external space as seamless making life easier for workers in as possible. The system comprises a Primer, that profession. a choice of Mortars (either with or The end-result is highly attractive without sand) and a Brush-In Grout. The Landscaper, Brett Corcoran of TC and definitely a very worthwhile product provides a high strength mortar Fencing & Landscaping, has recently for bonding concrete, natural stone and used the product on a patio job in porcelain paving slabs to a hardcore Staffordshire and was full of praise or solid base. The Rock-Tite additives once the project was completed: “After improve performance, workability and using the Rock-Tite range of products reeze thaw resistance o the finished throughout a recent project completed mortar mix. The choice of mortars I can strongly recommend it,” he allows customers to purchase their sand said. “I can recommend the Rock-Tite separately if they wish. products to not only the building trade but DIY customers too due to their 01782 524 140 www.norcros-adhesives.com 58SBHw07_wNworc.rsobs_hLaonndslcinapein.gc&oE.uxtkernal Works - Paving_HPAdv.indd 1 0j4u/0l7//a20u2g2 2100:227 2

OFFSITE AND MODULAR CONSTRUCTION A concrete idea for efficient builds Chris Stride from the Insulating Concrete Formwork Association explains why this type of modern method of construction could provide the answers for your sel uild when it comes to speed, e ficiency and air tightness Building your home can be a plastic ties). Concrete is then poured WILL ICF RESTRICT MY DESIGN? challenging task. Obviously, you into a cavity between the panels which Despite their dimensions, ICF blocks want to make the best choices but creates an incredibly airtight, energy have the capability to create almost any with a multitude of design and product e ficient and resilient structure. design – from a traditional farmhouse decisions available, it can be hard to BUILDING WITH ICF through to a contemporary home know where to start. It is the simplicity of ICF that makes it with bespoke shapes or curved walls. particularly appealing and incredibly fast This gives you and your architect the As construction technologies advance to work with. A standard, single-storey opportunity to set your creativity free! so does your choice of techniques, structure can easily be constructed in as We would always recommend getting especially in the area of MMC. This little as three days! your supplier involved at this stage in umbrella term covers any non-traditional the process – they have the expertise construction system that typically offers This method also has a lot of and technical resources to maximise the numerous enefits including a reduction similarities to traditional construction potential of your ICF. in construction time, improved energy methods that contractors will already e ficiency and increased uild uality. be familiar with. The ICF blocks are Concrete is well known for delivering stacked, like blockwork or bricks, but an incredibly strong build. ICF offers the Self-builders, fully aware of the instead of needing a bedding material additional advantage of allowing the numerous enefits C can o er, have such as mortar they instead lock via a concrete encased within the formwork led the way in adopting these innovative raised profile along the edge o the to set quickly but cure very slowly, and methods. It’s worth doing your research formwork. The walls are usually built in tests have shown that an ICF building to find out which techni ue is est or stages, typically to a ground oor height is around five times stronger than a you. There are a wide range of methods at first, e ore concrete is poured into concrete block structure. available, including offsite manufacturing the blocks. The process repeats until full and also innovative onsite techniques building height is achieved. Combining the ICF with steel rebar such as ICF. increases the overall strength of the ICF structure making it suitable for the entire An insulated solid wall construction method like ICF can offer numerous additional advantages when compared to other modern methods. This tried and tested construction system has been around since the Second World war when a simple build method was needed for rebuilding various badly bombed European cities. Today, the application method and materials remain largely the same. Typically, two panels of insulating material connect to create a building block structure (these are either a pre- moulded form or connected through It’s the simplicity of ICF that makes it particularly appealing, and incredibly fast, meaning a standard single-storey structure can easily be constructed in as little as three days jul/aug 2022 www.sbhonline.co.uk 59

OFFSITE AND MODULAR CONSTRUCTION build, including cantilever structures airtightness and thermal e ficiency, and basements. meaning it can deliver U-values down to as low as 0.10 W/m2.K. Monitored energy usage of a semi-detached four-bedroom EXPENSE home with a basement with a usable When you consider the entire process, oor area o m2 demonstrates that ICF presents a very cost effective option. heating and hot water costs works out as Upfront material costs may be slightly little as £5 per week. higher, but these are quickly offset by savings made during construction, and Committee ‘Building to net zero: costing BUILDING IN A FLOOD RISK ZONE through ongoing energy savings once carbon in construction’ encourages the Increasingly, the UK is seeing the you’ve moved in. adoption of Whole Life Carbon (WLC) effects of adverse weather events. assessment. This offsets the amount Under BS 85500:2015 Flood Resilient Labour costs are reduced by the speed of carbon created during construction Construction guidance, ICF is a of the ICF build programme and usually over the emissions created in heating or recommended external wall method. fewer contractors are needed onsite. The cooling the building. If correctly designed and installed, the insulating property of the blocks allows resulting concrete structure has no voids the build to continue through winter with ICF’s ability to combine insitu concrete and creates a watertight shell. In the the ability to assemble and cast in most walls sitting in direct contact with event o ood damage, the insulating weather conditions. The combination the insulating formwork maximises material in the walls remains water of these factors can result in labour cost resistant with months of delays caused by savings of up to 60%. drying out avoided. SUSTAINABILITY The insulated solid wall structure also t first glance C doesn t appear creates its own natural fire suppression to be a particularly sustainable build system. The solid concrete core will not method due to the extensive use of burn and can withstand extremely high concrete. However, the concrete industry, temperatures that prevents fire rom through the UK Concrete Roadmap spreading internally or externally. Most it has developed, is working hard on C walls o er a fire protection rating o the adoption of new methods with the up to four hours. aim of removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it produces. Chris Stride is chairman at Insulating Concrete Formwork Association (ICFA) When considering sustainability, a recent report by the Environmental Audit 60 www.sbhonline.co.uk jul/aug 2022

STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS SBH Social Media HP_Layout 1 09/03/2021 11:16 Page 2 www.sbhonline.co.uk 61 +sehlofbmuemiladkeerr Now on Instagram FOLLOW US AT: @SELFBUILDERHOMEMAKER jul/aug 2022

CASE STUDY SØREN’S SCANDI FASHION HOUSE A Danish minimalism-inspired renovation of a former fashion showroom in a prime west London site has resulted in a light, elegant home which has its owners’ sense of style, and a ‘Hygge’ feel TEXT TOM BODDY IMAGES RACHAEL SMITH, STÅLE ERIKSEN, NEIL DUSHEIKO Tucked away in a mews in Lancaster Gate, Søren and his wife HIGH POINT just off Hyde Park, is a former fashion realised that they showroom which has been refurbished as a could transform the “Hearing back from the light filled, Scandinavian inspired home. former showroom local authority that we’d The uilding has een owned y ane S ren into their perfect be able to go ahead in Ellemann since 1963, who has long worked in London hideaway some way or other was the fashion industry, running the building as a very exciting! This space showroom or the last years. ut in , which had been such a S ren and his wi e realised they could trans orm central part in our lives it into their per ect London hideaway. was going to undergo a Previously a dark and fairly bland space, the radical trans ormation. couple, with help from their architects, have reimagined the property into a contemporary home immersed in natural light. orn ust north o Copenhagen, S ren always had a passion or ashion. This led him to up He launched his own brand distributing Danish ashions in the in the early s llemann sticks or London in to start working or esign Company, and ound the Lancaster Gate clothing retailer Simpsons o iccadilly once one o the largest menswear stores in the . property in 1963, soon acquiring it as the com- pany s ase. Since then, the old mews uilding, “My life has been centred around my love for which was originally used to house coaches for clothing and design, e plains S ren. 62 www.sbhonline.co.uk jul/aug 2022

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Georgian properties behind it, has not only been their studios and later Neil himself came out LOW POINT the place or showing ashions or S ren s com- to the site to discuss how we could merge our pany since the days o Swinging London, ut design sensibilities to create a home that was others such as scar aco sen o Sweden. e citing and spectacular, e plains S ren. e remem er when the adds: “Neil and his project architect Pamela were pandemic started to set Over the years, parts of the showroom were re- antastic to work with. They had a very creative in, and supply chains designed to accommodate S ren s needs, which partnership, and we all worked extremely well were going haywire. t led to the property being adapted for occasional together. was hard not to be a little residential use. We had already made some ad- nervous, so d say that aptations to allow us to spend a night i needed. espite the uilding sitting in the ayswater was a low point. Conservation rea, the team had a airly straight- However, the property was still in need of forward experience with the planning depart- uite an overhaul, says S ren. The structure ment. We anticipated there would e some was in poor condition and internally, there were conditions applied during the detailed design “a warren of partitions, side rooms and storage phase as the architectural team worked through areas. n ad acent hotel and church over- the drawings. The team saw it as essential to shadowed the primary facade, restricting the get constructive feedback and support from the amount of natural light, leaving the rooms dark council before submitting a full application, so and gloomy. dditionally, as a way o o taining the architects worked closely with a planning con- privacy rom the hotel, the first oor windows sultant to develop what S ren says was a very were at high level, urther compromising daylight. ro ust pre application su mission. S ren knew that i they were going to turn this “They suggested a few minor adjustments to uilding into their home, this was one o the first the scheme which we felt were completely ac- things they would need to address. cepta le and took on oard, says S ren. The DESIGN & PLANNING process was extremely well managed and we With S ren having grown up in enmark, he d received approval or everything we applied or. developed a fascination for how the Danish While not taking an active role in pro ect approach contemporary design, and wanted to management, the couple visited the site every ring this into the pro ect. wanted the home weekend to keep an eye on progress, as well as to have a sense of tranquillity, with clean lines, ensuring the neigh ours weren t eing distur ed. and a mix of warm natural materials,” explains We always let our design team know we were S ren. s well as inesen tim er ooring a there, and would often send them photos of the must have and under oor heating or com ort amazing progress achieved week on week. in colder months, a wood burning stove and a Work started in and continued throughout Martin Moore handmade kitchen were high on the pandemic, “while taking every precaution,” their wish list. assures S ren. C were the chosen contractors To make all this happen, the couple needed to turn these designs into a reality. We intro- to find an architect who was accepting o their duced C to our architects who checked out ideas but also brought their own creativity to the their credentials or us, says S ren. The couple pro ect. Through a riend s recommendation, they were happy to discover they were a team of discovered eil usheiko rchitects. visited “enthusiastic craftsmen” who helped manifest the 64 www.sbhonline.co.uk jul/aug 2022

ABOVE overall vision o the pro ect, S ren adds. An adjacent The open stair and Crittal style ut it wasn t all smooth sailing. ven though hotel and church glazing separating it from the work continued through the pandemic, there overshadowed the dining area further maximises were some delays with delivery and supply. ow- primary facade, the amount o light filtering, ever this was “not a major issue” with the project restricting the and gives a sense of space completing in ecem er . amount of natural light, leaving the jul/aug 2022 LAYOUT & LIGHT rooms dark and The three-bedroom mews home is arranged over gloomy three levels, and has been rendered in a subtle white externally as a sensitive response to the are located on the first oor, each eing ensuite. conservation area. The top oor, reached y an open riser staircase, contains one important illustration of how the As the property is L-shaped, when standing architects brought in precious natural light, with on the quiet mews street, the building appears a top lit winter garden found in the smaller of very compact. ut entering, you are met with a the two edrooms. ot only does it fill the space spacious, modern design which has met all of the with light, but sitting in there feels like you are owner s e pectations and more. almost outside, says S ren, and o ers lovely The ground oor includes a great deal o views over the church garden. storage says S ren, along with a kitchenette, garage, bathroom, laundry room, and a study n a pro ect with various design constraints like with views down the mews. The couple knew the conservation area and the nearby, imposing that their mobility may be limited in the future, hotel meant that solving this issue of natural light and that ensuring the home was future-proofed required a series of creative solutions like this was essential. The ground oor there ore also rom the architects. features an accessible bedroom with easy access to the kitchenette, which can double as a guest The central staircase void is capped by a large skylight which allows light into the top oor as edroom in the short term. The home also in- well as travelling down to the first oor where cludes a fully functioning lift which provides easy the main living spaces are. The open stair and access to the upper oors. Crittal style glazing separating it rom the The bottom section of staircase, ascending to the first oor, is constructed o ouglas fir, with recessed sidelights that accentuate the crafts- manship o the wood panelling. The key material or the interiors, ouglas fir, was used through- out the property. The kitchen, dining and sitting room are situ- ated on the first oor. These rooms enefit rom being double aspect with the windows to the rear overlooking the churchyard garden. Two bedrooms of the three in the property www.sbhonline.co.uk 65

CONTACTS/ SUPPLIERS WOODEN FLOOR Dinesen www.dinesen.com TILES Fired Earth www.firedearth.com LIFT Thyssenkrupp www.tkelevator.com STAIRCASE Bespoke Handrails www. espokehandrails.com LIGHTING Astro Lighting, Flos, Louis Poulsen, Klimt KITCHEN Martin Moore www.martinmoore.com dining area further maximises the amount of light The use of the solid timber planks add a sense GLAZING filtering through to this level, and gives a sense of robustness, and “will hopefully be in place for o space and connection to the sky. This helps many generations to come, he adds. Fabco Sanctuary to create a visual interplay between the two www. a cosanctuary.com spaces, says S ren. “As Hygge revolves around taking joy in quiet simple moments, the design could not be overly SANITARYWARE Nine other skylights on the roof as well as ussy. There ore the interior is ree rom clutter, large dormer windows on the front facade further with a minimalist approach evident in all rooms. Duravit maximise light coming in from above, augment- “This restrained design allows us to enjoy the www.duravit.co.uk ed y espoke artificial lighting throughout the essence of the space, the way the light changes home. n the kitchen a discrete strip o lighting is between summer and winter, the feeling of the JOINERY mounted on the splashback, “which helps to heavy rugs beneath your feet and so on,” says create a clear zone or the kitchen work areas. S ren. Laki The combination of different lighting aspects www.laki.co.uk has achieved a highly tailored quality of light for Their love for Danish furniture meant interior the home. styling enhanced by different pieces by Montana, ‘HYGGE’ Carl ansen, ans . Wegner, with lights y manu acturers including limt and Louis oulsen. rom the start, S ren s Scandinavian roots also in uenced the interior design. ore specifi- The accomplishment of transforming what was cally, achieving a ygge eel anish, meaning a dark showroom into a light filled, com orta le something like cosiness and contentment), in the home is one of the couple’s favourite aspects design was a priority. t s a way o li e or the of the project, and they attribute this to the architects. The natural light makes a ig anes, says S ren. difference, and we are thankful that we were Each section of the home has been carefully working with an architect who shared our vision designed to try and promote this eeling. n the or what the home could ecome, says S ren. sitting room, a fireplace with heavy logs along Having a home that also incorporates Hygge with the different variety of timber types lining design philosophy, and with Scandinavian natural the house adds visual te ture while creating a materials that will develop a ‘rich patina’ over strong connection to nature. time including the oak and simply finished The ouglas fir, as well as eing used to con- struct the stairs, features throughout the prop- ouglas fir, are other aspects o what makes this erty. The team used inesen fir widely, which is uild distinctive. all sourced rom sustaina le sources in the lack S ren s advice to other sel uilders taking on Forest and other European forests that have a re ur ishment pro ect like this is to find an een amily owned or generations and sus- architect that you can work well with. e adds taina ly managed or centuries, e plains S ren. t s important that you share a similar vision and excitement for what you are ultimately hoping to achieve or the final result.  66 www.sbhonline.co.uk jul/aug 2022

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