Your Living Space (2024)

14/12/2023

Will Gamble Architects, a British design studio, employed natural materials in the construction of Palm Springs, a glazed extension at the rear of a Grade II-listed residence in north London.

Situated within a conservation area, the extension draws inspiration from desert modernism, an architectural style that emerged in mid-20th century Palm Springs. To acknowledge the clients' Californian connections, Will Gamble Architects integrated elements from the forms and material palettes of desert modernism, incorporating natural materials and floor-to-ceiling glazing on the extension walls to seamlessly connect the interior with the outdoors.

Studio founder Will Gamble conveyed, "The design concept is influenced by the clients' connection with California and desert modernism, which defines the architectural landscape of Palm Springs." Desert modernism, characterised by its use of extensive glass, clean lines, natural materials, and the blending of indoor and outdoor spaces, serves as the guiding principle for the entire project.

In addition to extending the residence, Will Gamble Architects revitalised and reorganised the existing interior. A living space now spans both the old and new portions of the ground floor.

Upstairs, the studio aimed to minimise interventions, highlighting historical features such as intricate ceiling mouldings and a delicate staircase balustrade against a minimal backdrop of white-painted walls and a grey floor.

The living and dining spaces on the extended lower floor sit beside a kitchen area nestled at the end of the existing portion of the home. Douglas fir cupboards and terrazzo countertops feature throughout the ground floor, with a large cubic volume coated in black marble at the centre of the kitchen.

Sliding wooden doors between the living, dining, and kitchen spaces offer flexibility in using the open plan. The slightly lowered extension is surrounded by glazed walls and animated by a gridded timber ceiling, forming cubby holes and cupboards down one wall.

"The lattice roof, with its grid-like arrangement, was inspired by the honest use of natural materials and expression of structure that is a defining feature of modernist design," explained Gamble. "The floating roof draws your eye out into the garden to establish an intimate connection with the surrounding garden."

Earth-toned furnishings, including a green corner sofa, underscore the interior's natural material palette. Terrazzo is used both inside and outside, forming kitchen worktops, banquet seating, and internal extension walls. This unique material extends into the garden, creating retaining walls that anchor the building in the surrounding landscape, reinforcing the connection between indoor and outdoor space—a key principle of desert modernism.

At the end of the split-level garden, a wooden deck hosts a cork-clad pavilion named The Hide. Topped with a monopitched sedum roof, this multifunctional space currently serves as a yoga studio but can also accommodate a home office. Gamble explained, "The cork protects [The Hide] from the elements while wrapping it in a 'thermal jacket' to keep it warm – it acts as a natural, sustainable, and breathable form of insulation, providing a unique visual appearance. The wavy texture is almost bark-like, allowing the building to blend seamlessly into its immediate context, defined by the mottled historic brick walls and dense vegetation lining the garden."

11/12/2023

In September 2023, the construction output volume demonstrated a modest 0.4% increase, primarily propelled by a surge in repair and maintenance, which experienced a notable 2.1% uptick. Conversely, new work saw a slight decline, registering a fall of 0.8%.

Among the nine main construction sectors, three showed growth, with private housing repair and maintenance notably rising by 3.0%. The quarterly construction output for Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2023 increased by 0.1% compared to the previous quarter. This growth was chiefly attributed to repair and maintenance, which increased by 0.7%, while new work experienced a decrease of 0.3%.

Total construction new orders experienced a 3.9% (£393m) upswing in Quarter 3 2023 compared to the preceding quarter. The increase was primarily driven by notable growth in public other new orders (up by 23.7%, £265m) and infrastructure new orders (up by 14.3%, £204m).

The annual rate of construction output price growth was 3.9% for the 12 months leading up to September 2023, reflecting a slowdown from the record annual price growth observed in May 2022 (10.4%).

Anecdotal evidence suggests that above-average temperatures may have positively influenced output, a notion corroborated by the Met Office confirming September 2023 as one of England and Wales's hottest months on record.

Fraser Johns, Finance Director at Beard, commented on the latest ONS figures, stating, "The news this morning of a 0.4% uplift in volume in September shows just how unpredictable and volatile the sector is in the current climate. Although the month saw a fall in new work, when viewed in the context of the quarter, there was a 3.9% rise compared to Q2 2023. News of an increase in new housing orders will certainly be encouraging for those contractors reliant on the housing market, although the sector still faces real challenges in a sustained higher interest environment."

04/12/2023

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to comply with the building regulations when carrying out any building work to your home. It is also important to note that building regulations are subject to change and you should always ensure you are referencing the current version of the building regulations, which are available here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents. Recent amendments to the building regulations for example, have introduced the role of dutyholders in relation to making a building regulations application. All dutyholders, including residential homeowners (now referred to Domestic Clients), must have systems in place to oversee the design and construction stages for compliance with the building regulations. For more information, visit: https://www.hse.gov.uk/building-safety/assets/docs/regime-overview.pdf. You should always consult with your local authority’s building control service before commencing any building works to your home.

02/12/2023

Greenaway Architecture adds glazed extension to thatched cottage in shadow of castle.

Greenaway Architecture, a British studio, has tastefully enhanced a 15th-century thatched cottage near Bath, UK, by adding a minimalist glass extension inspired by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin. Situated in a conservation area alongside the ruins of Farleigh Hungerford Castle, the grade II-listed Watercress Cottage now boasts a 33-square-meter extension seamlessly connecting the kitchen and living room. The glass walls flood the space with light and provide stunning views of the countryside and a nearby pond. This contemporary architectural statement respects the historic setting while breathing new life into the cottage. The extension features a sedum roof for insulation, rain chains for water drainage, and high-performance double glazed panes for energy efficiency. Greenaway Architecture successfully marries quality, modernity, and historical context in the design of Watercress Cottage.

30/11/2023

Load bearing walls are fundamental to the structure of the house and careful consideration needs to be given before they can be altered or removed. Alteration or removal of load bearing walls requires building regulations consent and generally speaking, a structural engineer should be commissioned to design the alteration.

The structural engineer will consider what loads the wall is taking and will design a beam and, if necessary, other supporting structure to ensure that the loads the wall was carrying are safely transmitted to the ground. Your local authority building control team will then inspect the work as it progresses and issue a certificate upon completion to show that the work complied with the building regulations.

The walls around your staircase offer you some protection to allow you to escape in the event of a fire and so any alteration of these walls also requires building regulations consent. If these walls are removed, it is essential that your house is fitted with adequate smoke detection and that all of your rooms have windows suitable for fire escape purposes. If you are looking to remove one of these walls, a building control body can establish whether the walls are essential to the fire protection within your house and advise what, if any, additional work is required to allow the alterations to take place.

28/11/2023

The Home Builders Federation has unveiled a 10-point strategy aimed at assisting the government in enhancing the UK housing supply and meeting the pressing demand for homes across the nation. Recent research indicates that England is the most challenging place in the developed world to secure housing.

In response to this data, the HBF has devised a charter outlining recommendations for the government to enhance the UK housing supply. With the King's Speech lacking specifics on how the government plans to address the housing crisis, Firmer Foundations delineates actionable steps ministers could take before the next election without the need for new legislation.

To address the question of how the government can enhance the UK housing supply, the report puts forth ten proposed policies:

1. Utilise increases in planning fees to adequately fund planning departments, which have experienced a real-terms funding reduction of over half since 2010.

2. Mandate local authorities to maintain current local plans aligned with local housing needs.

3. Collaborate with the industry to revise regulations regarding nutrient neutrality and mitigate the disproportionate impact on developers.

4. Reform the Construction Industry Training Board by adjusting the CITB levy to encompass key occupations for the industry.

5. Align post-16 education with employers' requirements.

6. Introduce a presumption in favour of development on small sites, up to 25 homes, on brownfield land as part of the planned National Planning Policy Framework changes.

7. Revise the Standard Method to ensure proportional new housing delivery across the entire country.

8. Strengthen the statutory duty on local planning decision makers to give special attention to planning for housing for older people in housing needs assessments.

9. Abolish stamp duty for all home purchases with an EPC rating of B or above.

10. Facilitate a roundtable involving government, industry, and lenders to explore the potential expansion of green/energy-efficient mortgages.

20/11/2023

Garages, typically underutilized spaces, hold great potential for transformation into functional living areas. With a garage conversion, homeowners can create additional rooms that serve various purposes, including an extra bedroom, a home office, a gym, a playroom, or even a rental unit. By repurposing these underused areas, homeowners can maximize the potential of their property and tailor the additional space to suit their specific needs and lifestyle.

17/11/2023

Camden Workshop stands as a distinctive conversion project, transforming a warehouse into a family home driven by a unique client brief centred on recycling and repurposing.

Originally serving as a disused warehouse and art studio for a renowned sculptor, McLaren.Excell collaborated closely with the client to redefine and expand the building's volume and utility. The ground floor exemplifies the concept of a 'living room,' a versatile 2200 sq ft space that adapts to various needs.

While preserving much of its original façade, the residence features a striking new metal extension, creating a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home across two floors with an expansive rear garden. The property, expanded from approximately 5,900 sq ft to 6,540 sq ft, showcases McLaren.Excell's distinctive design with a rear-facing extension on the ground floor catering to diverse activities, including weaving, photography, art, therapy, fermenting, candle making, and joinery workshops.

Embracing the therapeutic value of craft and handmade creations, the primary floor, characterised by 3.2-meter ceiling heights and 4m wide glazed doors, emphasises fluid functionality. Throughout construction, the focus remained on environmental impact mitigation and the retention of original, exposed raw materials. McLaren.Excell's commitment to sustainable practices is evident in the use of recycled timbers for all floors and repurposing the original floors as feature panelling in the hall and first-floor bedroom-entry space.

The property exudes a harmonious atmosphere through earthy, natural colour tones, with a noticeable shift in character between the ground and first floors. Large glass windows and doors provide panoramic views of the wild garden, complete with beehives. Design features, such as movable walls and doors, enhance the sense of openness, ensuring a direct line of sight to the garden and city rooftops.

The staircase, crafted from hot-rolled steel, serves as a transitional element, leading to the warm and inviting kitchen, dining, and informal sitting area on the first floor. Lime-washed exposed brick walls, a 3.5-meter solid travertine island, and Douglas Fir cabinets underscore the celebration of natural, elemental design.

The garden serves as a biodiverse oasis, promoting wildlife with beehives, a pond, and a palette designed to attract butterflies, bees, and other insects. The landscape's movement and vibrant colours create a captivating contrast to the workshop's grey brick exterior, fostering a connection between nature's hues and the earth-made materials in the build.

Commenting on the project Rob Excell, co-owner McLaren.Excell, said, “This project celebrates all that is great about design, it’s a real representation of the journey and experience that we have with the client. Incorporating natural materials and with a directive to recycle and be ever mindful of materiality and sustainability, something we’re passionate about as a studio, it was great to be able to introduce an abundant number of materials in their raw state. The unassuming former warehouse exterior of this property betrays nothing of what’s behind the front door and there’s something exciting about that. Creating a home but also a space that is multi- function in its most extreme sense is a challenge, but as a designer of buildings and interiors with longevity and integrity as guiding principles, it’s great to think what these craft-oriented spaces could produce and inspire from those that use them.”

13/11/2023

Go Geothermal provides an overview of various government funding options available to homeowners looking to implement energy-saving technologies in their homes. As the UK's 2050 net-zero target approaches, there is a growing interest among businesses and homeowners in adopting energy-efficient measures for their properties. One significant initiative highlighted by Go Geothermal is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers grants of up to £7,500 for the installation of new heating systems. Specifically relevant to Go Geothermal's business, this scheme supports the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems (oil, gas, or electric) with heat pumps.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers a portion of the expenses associated with adopting air source heat pumps or ground source heat pumps, including water source heat pumps and those on shared ground loops. The grant amount has recently increased, and a majority of the population in England and Wales (similar but separate schemes exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland) is eligible for these grants. To determine eligibility and apply for the grant, individuals or organisations can contact an installer certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Upon confirmation of eligibility, the installer will initiate the application process on the Ofgem website, and the granted amount will be deducted from the installation cost.

In addition to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, various funding schemes are available for implementing energy-saving measures. Examples include the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), providing assistance for insulation work and boiler replacement/repair; the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), offering upgrades such as roof, loft, or cavity wall insulation for less energy-efficient homes; the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG), covering the installation costs of loft insulation, underfloor insulation, wall insulation, solar voltaic, or low-carbon technologies (limited to England); the Local Authority Delivery (LAD) Scheme, allocating £500 million to local authorities to enhance the energy efficiency of low-income and low-energy-performance homes; and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), facilitating funding for housing associations to upgrade homes below Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C.

10/11/2023

Your Living Space: Norfolk Edition

Read here: http://www.yourlivingspace.info/labc/yls/norfolk/norfolkyls2023/

08/11/2023

Custom build and self build – what’s the difference?

Self build homes are those in which the prospective homeowner organises the design and construction of their new home themselves. This can range from expert self builders who may, to a large extent, be able to design and construct their home themselves, through to the more conventional route of appointing designers and a contractor to design and build the home for them. There are a wide range of possibilities in between, and self build also includes kit homes and community-led projects.

Custom-build homes on the other hand are a less ‘hands-on’ variation in which the prospective homeowner works with a developer that can take on the design and construction of the home on their behalf and may help find and acquire a site and arrange finance. Developers may also offer serviced plots within sites that they have already purchased and may offer a range of design options from which the client can select their preferred solutions. Whilst the scope for personalising the home may sometimes be slightly reduced by selecting the custom build option, the organisational burden is very much reduced, and there is less risk, less stress, and overall, less potential for problems to arise.

06/11/2023

To ensure that individuals responsible for building safety can effectively identify, comprehend, manage, and mitigate safety risks throughout a building's life cycle, they are now required to maintain what is referred to as the "golden thread of information."

The purpose of this "golden thread" is to house the necessary data for a comprehensive understanding of the building and the steps required to ensure the safety of both the structure and its occupants. This information repository will contain the details essential for those responsible for the building to:

- Demonstrate compliance with applicable building regulations for the completed structure and any subsequent construction work.

- Identify, comprehend, manage, and mitigate safety risks related to fire spread or structural collapse throughout the building's life cycle, aiming to prevent or minimise potential consequences.

Possessing a "golden thread" means that these responsible parties will have easy access to reliable, up-to-date, and accurate information. Without this vital resource, managing buildings safely becomes extremely challenging, as the contents of the "golden thread" are indispensable for fulfilling and demonstrating compliance with legal obligations.

The concept of a "golden thread of information" for buildings was a recommendation made by Dame Judith Hackitt in her report titled "Building a Safer Future," with the aim of assisting duty holders in the comprehensive design, construction, and management of their buildings as integrated systems.

This "golden thread" involves the digital preservation of crucial building information, commencing from the design phase and continuing throughout the building's life cycle. The government mandates that this information must be stored digitally, although it can be spread across multiple systems.

The "golden thread" comprises two main components: information related to building work and maintenance. This ensures that any changes or enhancements to the building are accurately documented, allowing building owners to proactively identify potential risks and take corrective actions.

Crucially, those responsible for the building must know where to access up-to-date information and provide access to individuals who require it. This includes maintenance personnel, construction workers, residents, and emergency responders.

The initiation of the "golden thread" must occur before any building work commences, and the information must be consistently updated throughout the design and construction phases, including changes made through the change control process.

Upon completion of the building work, the "golden thread" must be handed over to the designated Accountable Person(s) responsible for the occupied building. Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date source of building information ensures that building owners can effectively manage their properties and enhance safety.

In summary, the key characteristics of the "golden thread" include:

- Digital storage

- Secure management

- A single, reliable source of building information

- Accessibility for individuals requiring the information

- Timely availability

- User-friendly presentation

Each "golden thread" will be tailored to the specific building and its residents and occupants.
Regarding responsibility for the "golden thread":

During the design and construction phases, the duty to create and manage the information thread falls upon the dutyholder, which could be the Client, Principal Contractor, or Principal Designer.

During the occupation phase, the Accountable Person is responsible for coordinating, updating, and ensuring the accuracy and accessibility of the "golden thread." If the information cannot be located, the Accountable Person must provide a justification.

The Accountable Person may be an individual, partnership, or corporate entity, and there may be multiple Accountable Persons for a building. In such cases, the Principal Accountable Person assumes lead responsibility for the "golden thread."

For existing buildings, the accountable person must make reasonable inquiries to obtain the information necessary to assess and manage fire spread and structural stability risks.

During refurbishment, multiple dutyholders, including the Principal Accountable Person and Accountable Persons, may be involved, especially in cases where buildings remain occupied during the renovation process.

04/11/2023

Before starting on your design, you should have completed your preliminary research and know your budget. You can then follow this step-by-step guide to develop and finalise your design.

Designing a home usually involves working with an architect or designer to plan a new home, including:

- Developing a floor plan that shows room locations and layouts.

- Incorporating sustainable design principles (for example, good orientation) and features (for example, advanced glazing, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems).

- Deciding on construction systems, materials and finishes.

- Choosing inclusions such as appliances.

- Designing landscaping.

You can also use this design process to plan renovations, conversions or an extension.

02/11/2023

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has initiated the application process for the first Principal Designer Register, demonstrating its commitment to reshaping the culture of building safety.

In line with the recently published Building Regulations in August 2023, it is now mandatory for every construction project to include a principal designer.

The principal designer's role involves overseeing the planning, management, monitoring, and coordination of health and safety aspects, ensuring adherence to building regulations during the project's design phase.

The Principal Designer Register serves as a platform for RIBA Chartered Members to showcase their proficiency, subject to a rigorous three-stage assessment process. It offers clients the means to identify a suitably qualified Principal Designer.

Enhancing safety for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), the Register establishes a heightened competency standard for those working on structures exceeding 18 metres in height, comprising at least seven stories and accommodating a minimum of two residential units.

Jack Pringle, the Chair of the board at RIBA, remarked, “Demands for stronger building safety regulations and higher professional competence has never been greater – affecting not only architects but all those involved in the design and construction of buildings”

He continued, “The RIBA Principal Designer Register, the sector’s first competency database, provides professionals with a means to demonstrate appropriate professional expertise and, more broadly, to fulfil new Building Safety Act requirements”

“It’s a practical step in the right direction – a fundamental piece of work that supports the greater, industry-wide culture change to ensure the highest standards of building safety.”

To apply for the Principal Designer Register, Chartered Members are encouraged to submit their applications. The assessment process encompasses three crucial stages:

- A knowledge assessment
- Submission of written evidence illustrating knowledge, skills, and professional experience
- An interview phase

31/10/2023

Competent Person Schemes (CPS) are good for several reasons:

Simplifies the compliance process: A CPS allows individuals or companies who are competent in their field to self-certify their work. This simplifies the compliance process by reducing the need for third-party inspections and certifications, saving time and money.

Ensures compliance with building regulations: A CPS ensures that work carried out by competent individuals or companies meets the requirements of the relevant building regulations. This helps to improve safety and quality standards within the construction industry.

Increases consumer confidence: Consumers can have confidence in the work being carried out by a competent person, as it has been independently verified by a reputable scheme. This can help to reduce disputes and complaints, and can also improve the reputation of the construction industry as a whole.

Supports small businesses: A CPS can provide support for small businesses, as it allows them to compete on a level playing field with larger companies. This can help to promote innovation and competition within the industry.

27/10/2023

Mace has unveiled a fresh Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy, with a vision to put it into action over the next three years. This strategy delineates precise objectives aimed at positioning Mace as a leader in fostering inclusivity within the construction sector.

In the three years following the initiation of their initial Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion plan, Mace has made substantial headway in diversifying their workforce and nurturing a culture of inclusivity.

In continuation of this progress, the company is now aspiring to achieve even more ambitious aims. Mace's objectives encompass the attraction, development, and retention of a diverse workforce, the cultivation of a psychologically safe work environment, and an enhancement of diversity in leadership roles.

Mace is actively pursuing the incorporation of more women into senior positions. They have set forth several pivotal diversity targets to be accomplished by the close of 2026. These include elevating the proportion of women in senior roles to over 25% and ensuring that no less than 30% of board meeting attendees are women, in addition to a further 10% representation from underrepresented ethnic groups.

Mace is also striving to become the first construction company to engage in collaboration with their strategic supply chain partners to promote diversity and encourage these partners to adopt their own Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion strategies. The aim is to inspire innovative solutions for addressing diversity challenges by forging connections throughout the industry.

Furthermore, Mace has established a set of specific targets for the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion strategy over the next three years:

- Increase the representation of women in their global workforce to a minimum of 35%.
- Enhance the representation of employees with disabilities by at least 3%.
- Augment the representation of LGBTQ+ identified colleagues by at least 3%.
- Reduce the UK pay gap by a minimum of 10% annually.

25/10/2023

The bathroom remains one of the most popular renovation projects. Whether you are modernising an existing bathroom or adding a brand new one as part of a wider project, there are lots of things to consider. And while the DIY route can save on labour costs, you should seriously consider the time and difficulty involved before taking the job on. Here are some important steps to take when planning a bathroom renovation:

Set a budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend on your bathroom renovation project. This will help guide your decisions as you choose materials and make design choices.

Determine your needs: Consider how you use your bathroom and what changes you would like to make. Do you need more storage space? Do you want to replace an old bathtub with a shower? Do you want to add more lighting?

Think about the layout: Consider the existing layout of your bathroom and whether you want to make any changes. Moving plumbing fixtures can be expensive, so it's important to plan carefully.

Choose materials: Select materials for your new bathroom, including flooring, countertops, tile, and fixtures. Consider durability, maintenance requirements, and aesthetics when making your choices.

Hire a contractor: Find a reputable contractor who has experience with bathroom renovations. Get estimates and ask for references before making a decision.

Plan for the unexpected: Be prepared for unforeseen problems that may arise during the renovation process. Leave some wiggle room in your budget and schedule in case unexpected issues arise.

By taking these steps and planning carefully, you can ensure a successful bathroom renovation that meets your needs and fits within your budget.

Your Living Space