Designing Timber issue 10 for online - Flipbook - Page 12
———— IN BRIEF ————
A NORTH SOMERSET 'ECO HOME'
WITH BRIMSTONE ASH CLADDING
Nestled in the North Somerset countryside, sits
a new timber-frame four-bedroom family home.
DHV Architects have created an impressive,
highly energy-e昀케cient home with an A-rated
EPC, clad with highly durable Brimstone
cladding.
A timber frame house with panoramic views
Previously occupied by a dilapidated chalet
bungalow, the site is on a hillside with expansive
views over the Mendip Hills. The house is a southfacing two-storey volume featuring a large openplan kitchen and dining area on the ground 昀氀oor,
with four bedrooms arranged across the upper
level.
The living areas open onto a patio o昀昀ering
uninterrupted 180º panoramic views from the
rolling farmland of the east to glimpses of the
Bristol channel to the west.
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The cladding is Brimstone, a thermally modi昀椀ed ash derived from UK woodlands. It is certi昀椀ed to
IN BRIEF
A single-storey outrigger extends from the
western end of the building, reaching out into the landscape while
providing acoustic shelter for the terrace from distant road noise. A
cantilevered canopy extends over the outrigger’s extensive glazing,
o昀昀ering protection from solar gain and contributing to indoor
thermal comfort.
Durability EN350-2 Very Durable (Class 1).
Clad with thermally modi昀椀ed ash
The elevations feature cropped limestone and Brimstone timber
cladding - a thermally modi昀椀ed UK ash - supplied by TDUK
members Vastern Timber. The limestone and timber are punctuated
by brightly coloured render panels.
The client and architect visited a local site, where the builder had
used Brimstone cladding, and were impressed with its appearance.
The cladding has now been in place for approximately 16
months. Its rich, full colour has weathered only subtly; change in
appearance has been minimal.
Energy e昀케ciency and building fabric
Achieving a level of energy e昀케ciency exceeding standard
regulatory requirements was a fundamental objective of the design
brief. The external walls are formed using timber frame, with a
continuous layer of insulation positioned externally to the structural
envelope.
This insulating layer wraps seamlessly around the 昀氀oor, walls
and roof, contributing signi昀椀cantly to the building’s thermal
performance.
The windows are triple-glazed composite units, featuring timber
frames with durable aluminium outer casements. Attention was
paid to airtightness, with each junction carefully constructed by the
contractor to minimise gaps.
A mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR) provides
continuous fresh air to all habitable spaces. A low carbon heating
system (air source heat pump), on-site renewable energy generation
(8kW of solar PV panels on the roof) and batteries enable the home
to achieve an A-rated EPC.
DESIGNING TIMBER
↑
The south facade is characterized by a prominent stone chimney
and a linear shading pergola above expansive sliding doors.
12
NOV/DEC 2025
