Pondfield

As the clients were living on site they decided to manage and oversee much of the building work themselves. Various quotes were obtained from the different subcontractors for various elements of work and the new piled foundations were started in January 2007. While the foundations were being constructed, Carpenter Oak began the construction of the oak frame for the main house, off site. Once the foundations were finished, the beam and block ground floor constructed and the new brick and flint walls completed, the oak frame was despatched and arrived on site in March 2007. Within a week it had been erected.
 

The external walls and roof were constructed using insulated SIPS panels which were all also manufactured off site which reduced the amount of site time required. This type of construction achieved a waterproof shell within 4-6 weeks after the frame arrived on site (excluding the glazing). Externally the building was clad with chestnut timber which was not treated in any way but left natural to gradually weather, which will also ensure that it is maintenance free. The new windows and large areas of glazing are aluminium and the client decided to opt for self-cleaning glass due to the large area of high level glazing.

The new house consists of a large central double height space with a curved gallery and a helical spiral staircase. This space has two large areas of glazing at first floor level, one of which faces south providing views of Bosham Harbour.