Devon
Lower Watchcombe Farm
Evolve provided structural engineering services for refurbishment works to this existing residential property in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The works consisted of modifications and repairs to the existing farmhouse structure and the construction of a new exposed oak framed garden room extension.
Challenge
Works to the private converted farmhouse residence included modifications internally to the existing timber roof truss to maximise floor to ceiling height at first floor as well as renovation works to the existing lean-too building and living room. The farmhouse was of traditional construction, with load bearing stone walls and timber joist floors.
Site discoveries revealed several unknowns, such as the condition of rotted timber pad stones or differences to the assumed existing original construction, due to subsequent unrecorded modifications. Further interesting constraints that Evolve and team overcame were with regards to environmental site constraints, with the ecology report identifying that the existing roof truss would be habitat for bats.
The property owners also would continue to live in the property which meant that the phasing of works needed to be considered to ensure the property could remain occupied throughout.
Solution
Evolve worked closely with the architect to deliver carefully detailed connections to the exposed garden room oak frame. The oak elements were specified as seasoned oak to remain in-keeping with the existing oak beams within the property, but also to prevent movement of the frame as the columns and connections would be exposed.
Several sketches were prepared and coordinated between Evolve and Mowat & Co. to express the design intent to the contractor for the design and build project. These collaborative sketches won the Engineering Clubs Sketch Competition in May 2021.
The capacity of the existing lean-too roof structure was assessed to upgrade the ceiling build-up, i.e. insulation and finishes to modern standards. Following these assessments, strengthening details were provided to minimise impact to programme and costs.
We worked collaboratively to review the impacts of unknown findings on the structural proposals and liaised with the contractor and architect to find resolutions. Works to the roof truss had to be coordinated around bat nesting seasons.
(CGI Image courtesy of Mowat & Co.)
