Jewell House, Cambridgeshire

Desire for a large open-plan, eco-efficient property led to the Jewells’ designing and building their own home.

The house and annexe – comprising a garage with studio and gym above, are constructed using our 140mm timber frame system.  The timber frame design features I-Joists and loose-cut vaulted ceilings.

To achieve a 0.18 W/m2K U-value, the system uses 150 mm of rigid PIR in the wall and roof panels, and an additional 30 mm polyurethane insulation on the inner face.

The flexibility of timber frame also enabled the couple to design and build in engineered timber frame panels which could be removed to allow for a kitchen extension – a solution to the plot’s predetermined footprint which compromised the kitchen area.  A single storey extension was completed two years after the family moved in.

Read more about the Jewell’s self-build in Build It (May issue)