Modern barn, kitchen link extension

The perfect design to offer a modern solution to a rural outlook

Big glass screens that slide open between the oak posts mean that the kitchen and dining areas have much more significant interaction with outside living and eating.  The family enjoy far reaching views of the sea and Dartmouth.

The timber frame approach gives a lightness and openness to the elevations which seem wholly appropriate.  Timber frames have supported barn structures for years.  The opportunity to take this idea and design a well engineered and modern take on such a structure has been hugely successful as a design response in this sensitive rural location.

Adam included the concept of an oak frame from day one.  The idea was to make the space contemporary, but with a supporting palette of natural materials to reinforce and complement the use of the natural oak.

A strong collaboration, with shared levels of precision, ensures success

This frame is not a large or complex, the success of the design is in its simplicity and meticulous attention to detail.  To achieve the contemporary take, the oak frame needed to be very much engineered and not traditional.  The design resulted in some complex consideration of steel flitch plates to achieve in-line/ flush connections between the timbers which then had to be engineered further to provide support for the modern glazing systems outside of the frame.  Consideration was vital for this particular design to minimise tolerances and movement, inherent with timber.  The team design effort with Carpenter Oak and an appointed engineer worked very effectively to make this a success.

Each of the oak timbers are planed to ensure exact width consistency.  The steel pignut bolts were designed to protrude a specified amount that repeats on the posts and trusses.  The pignut bolts fix the oak and steel work to the apex, eves and foot in place of traditional joinery.

“Having a frame designer and skilled craftsmen to work with us and offer their clear skills in these fields was invaluable, and the result speaks for itself” Architect and owner, Adam Benns.

To sequence construction, aid progress on site and provide weather protection for the frame, Adam wanted to construct the roof (which would be supported by the frame) first.  This sequencing meant exact levels needed to be coordinated and understood.  The Carpenter Oak team on site had to work in a manner that they wouldn’t usually to insert the frame from under a built and propped roof.

“The teams acceptance of the challenge and the successful result achieved in this respect is a testament to Carpenter Oak.” Architect and owner, Adam Benns

Big ideas for your small project?  Make the most of your space with a timber frame.

Interested in building your own extension?  Contact us to talk through your ideas.