1½ Storey extension

We completed this extension some time ago (2008) and having chance to inspect the frame on a regular basis , we thought it would be good to write a little about the design and how it has settled over the last six years.

The primary criteria for this frame was to provide a lounge and an additional bedroom to a small one bedroom cottage. Given the cottage is heritage listed, it was necessary to make the extension sub-servant to that of the thatched house. With the thatch being so thick that did not leave much space for head height.

So essentially every inch of available height has been squeezed, from using oak common rafters for a thinner roof profile to reducing the thickness of the floor by using a unique and ancient reciprocating design. The design also explores many different framing options, such as down braces, common studding & ceiling joists. Hence the rather high density of timber:

oakframe
oakframe2

The central cross-frame in the workshop:

oakframeworkshop

So after many hours work and of arduous hand planing, the timbers were brought to site. Quite a few of the elements were joined ready for assembly with the crawler crane.

Primary ceiling joists:

parts

Wall frame; cross-rail, posts and braces:

parts2

The raising was done using a rather excellent crawler crane. Rather than being static, it  drives to collect individual components and delivers them to their location.

crane

Individual purlins dropped into their corresponding location (clasp purlin roof)

crane2

Reciprocating floor:

reciprocating

I also took the opportunity to make a time-lapse video of the occasion; This video starts with a quick whizz around 3D visual, followed by the time-lapse:

Inspecting the finished frame before the common rafters go on.

garyandharry

From a higher perspective!

high2
chamferstopssmall

PTO!…  **link**