Lakeland Farmhouse, Cumbria

A partnership of steel and oak

With expansive glazing and few external walls to provide structural support, steelwork was utilised for its structural and aesthetic qualities. Exposed diagonal stainless steel bracing is visible in the side wall panels with a larger version at the far gable end.

Oak scissor trusses span the roof and contain hidden steel bed bolts. There was an option to patch the mortises, but these were left open as an honest feature of the trusses.

Striking and complex glazed gable end

A distinct element of the glazed gable end is the double mid plate that extends across its width. A thicker than usual oak beam was needed to comply with the level of bracing required. A single beam of this thickness would move considerably during the drying process, by using two beams, cracks and shakes are significantly reduced. The grooves between these beams provide a shadow gap feature that also minimises movement.

The complicated and successful interaction of steel and oak emanates from our comprehensive expertise and 30 years’ experience of crafting timber-framed buildings. Our collaborative efforts contributed to the 2018 LABC (Local Authority Building Control) award for Best Extension in the Northern Region.