The Build

The layout and design of the cottages was carefully planned with the help of Derek Foord of DFA Architecture. This was followed by considerable discussion with the planners before building work could begin at Park Farm.
The concrete slab was quickly followed by the “SIP” panels to give a watertight structure. Sip’s or structurally insulated panels have great insulation properties and strength. Environmental benefit is gained with the fantastic thermal properties as well as the minimal building waste on site as they are built in a factory.
An aluminium standing seam roof was used to give some interest to the low pitch and blend in with the existing farm buildings.
Following considerable research it was decided to use triple glazed Swedish windows supplied by Swedish Timber products. Although they need to be ordered early in the project to allow time for delivery, they are quick to install and fantastically well made. Currently they are the most efficient window on the market when Krypton filled and using a soft wall between glass panels.
Following the environmental theme originally a 60 kW wood chip boiler was installed to manage the heating and hot water for the holiday cottages and nearby farm cottages. This was supplied and installed by Energy Innovations . This installation has recently been upgraded to 85 kw to cope with the load of an extra farmhouse. The “Gilles” boiler comes from Austria and has been proved well up to the job.