Rectory Farm
Working with our associate architect Alistair Ellen and our self-builder farming family, we delivered this oak frame and enclosure panel hybrid from concrete slab to completed structural shell. This combination is a very cost effective way to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful double height oak primary frame over the open plan kitchen and living spaces where most of the family spends its time, with the service spaces and bedrooms being more modestly built with stud panels. The bespoke primary frame is an important structural element and is integrated with sheathed studwork wall panels that house the standard joinery and glazing provided by a quality manufacturer.
The rear part of the building which has the bedrooms, boot room and farm office (over two floors) have been built using conventional sheathed studwork panels, floor joists and cut rafters that neatly tie the two parts together. We used the partition walls to support the continuation of oak purlins connecting the oak frame through the bedrooms that provide efficient use of the roof spaces.
All of this building’s superstructure was made in workshops off site, which allows greater control over the accuracy and quality of the work, and mitigates the delays and problems caused by bad weather. It took our team 10 days to complete the installation, and within another week the roof had been tiled and the building was dry and weatherproof.
