Brimstone ash chosen for North Somerset eco-house
Nestled in the North Somerset countryside, sits a new four-bedroom family home that manages to feel modern, yet deeply connected to its natural setting.
DHV Architects have created an impressive, highly energy-efficient home that has achieved an A-rated EPC while sitting harmoniously within its North Somerset landscape. The design is focussed on open plan living and offers uninterrupted panoramic views.
Blending Materials
The elevations feature a blend of local limestone and Brimstone ash cladding and brightly coloured render panels, giving it a warm, tactile character.
The choice of timber was especially important to the owner of the property, who were keen to use a natural, sustainable timber which would maintain its colour and appearance.
Finding the Right Timber
Initially, the design team explored other thermally modified timbers, including a tropical hardwood and an imported option from New Zealand, but decided it didn’t feel right to ship materials halfway around the world for a project so focused on sustainability.
Then our client saw examples of our Brimstone cladding that had been used on another project. A builder that the team works with had recently used Brimstone on another local project and shared photos on social media. The clients visited the site in person to see how the cladding was weathering and along with the architect, were impressed with its appearance. They felt that choosing a locally sourced timber aligned perfectly with the sustainable goals of the project, leading to the specification of Brimstone Ash.
Settling In
The cladding has now been in place for approximately fifteen months. When it first arrived on site, it featured a rich, full colour, which has since weathered subtly. Although signs of weathering are evident, the change in appearance has been minimal, unlike cedar, which typically undergoes a more dramatic transformation within just a few months.
Embedding in the Surroundings
The timber cladding complements the dark trees in the background and helps the dwelling blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, particularly when viewed from the open farmland to the south.
We worked with the main contractor to ensure the supply of the cladding went smoothly and the feedback from site was positive. We are delighted to hear from DHV Architects that the process was straightforward, and the clients were pleased that their choice supported a sustainable, local supply chain.
"The process was straightforward, and our clients were pleased that their choice supported a sustainable, local supply chain.
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Directory
For details of the teams who created this project, please visit:
Architect
DHV Architects
www.dhva.co.uk
Builder
Dovetail Design and Build
dovetail.ltd
