October '09
Locally grown timber
Situated in the Scottish Highlands, this nearly completed timber house is composed of three hexagonal areas plus a sun room which extends segmentally out of one of the hexagon sides. The framework is of local Douglas fir and the rain screen of wany edged larch, also locally grown. Much of the timber had to be milled specially for the job because of the limited range of dimensions available in Douglas fir from timber merchants. There is 200mm of insulation to the walls , floor and roof. The roof is turf on an Oldroyd membrane.
Almost all the work was done by Andy and Peter. The design drawings and building regulations and planning applications were done by Peter along with the services, including the underfloor heating. Being a joiner (and musical instrument maker), Andy has done a beautiful and creative job of the rest of the work which features some fine uses of local wych elm such as in the front door.
This well crafted front door is made of local elm
The main living area takes up the central hexagon with a large main bedroom above it.
To the sides of the living room are another bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and utility room.
Heating is by a Wamsler 157 boiler with 11.5kW output burning wood. It backs onto a 600 litre heat store which serves the underfloor heating and domestic hot water. The stove is fired for a few hours approximately every three days in winter.
Waste water goes to a septic tank and the effluent from the tank is further treated by three reed beds; two vertical and one horizontal.
Considerable thought has gone into future proofing the building in terms of wiring. By building cable ducts into the timber framework, particularly behind skirting boards, all cables are accessible for upgrading. (see also Service Ducts)
Wych elm was also used for kitchen and bathroom furniture and for the stairs.
local elm used to good effect on bathroom furniture and the staircase
