Commercial Project
Spectacular results with Oak
One of the most challenging – and rewarding – projects we ever faced was when we were asked to contribute to the conversation a very large barn complex in South Yorkshire into a holiday home and wedding venue.
The clients had an exceptional eye for detail and had a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve when we first met them at our offices. But it was not going to be easy.
The original building formed a U-shape around a rear courtyard and the plan was for a large oak framed orangery to sit at the back of the property.
Pride of place inside would be an extremely long dining table seating up to 30 people, which would function as the main hub of the property.
The frame had to have an extended section at one end to house furniture cabinets which would store the crockery and cutlery.
The challenge was tailoring the design around the existing building.
Three barn arch windows couldn’t be moved so to maintain symmetry we had to work with them. Between our design team and our structural engineer, we devised a scheme allowing two different truss designs. One would be a standard orangery truss, the other a truss without a lower tie beam.
As very little weight could be loaded on to the masonry arch, steel flitch plates were hidden in the joints of the truss therefore anchoring all the weight at the other end of the frame.
The position of the arches allowed us to maintain symmetry, with two standard trusses and two anchored trusses between each other. The result was absolutely spectacular.
ANOTHER CHALLENGE CAME FROM THE CLIENTS’ REQUEST FOR THE WHOLE FRONT ELEVATION TO OPEN WITH BI-FOLDING DOORS. ADDITIONALLY, ONE OF THE STANDARD TRUSSES WOULD LAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPAN OF THE LARGER OF THE TWO SETS OF BI-FOLDING DOORS.
As well as the orangery, the clients commissioned the addition of an oak roof structure incorporating three king post trusses, ridge beam and purlins for a swimming pool building adjacent to the orangery.
We are pleased to report that the Spicer House project, challenging though it was, proved a great success. We have since completed three other projects for these clients and are currently working on the design of yet another.
Testimonials
We love to take on complex challenges
Our award winning reputation represents a lifetime of experience and knowledge of delivering the finest quality Oak design and customer service.
We love to take on complex challenges, and we know that our best solutions come out of close, trusted relationships with our clients. Don’t just take our word for it, get inspired and take a look at our unique projects.
“We are completely delighted with the end result and just as importantly, the care and attention Paul and team put into making this challenging project come together, in quite demanding timescales.”
Richard & Sandra Butterfield
Property Reconstruction
