Plaistow.

New Dwelling, Plaistow, West Sussex:

Overview: We were instructed to produce a substructure-only design, featuring the foundations and ground floor construction, to enable a timber-framed house to be built on top.

Details: Typically, on projects of this nature, the timber frame superstructure is designed and installed by a specialist manufacturer. This specialist had particular requirements regarding the construction of the ground floor, therefore, we worked with them to ensure that a coordinated solution was produced.

The combination of shrinkable soils and mature trees on-site led to a detailed review of the ground conditions to ensure the foundations were appropriately designed to accommodate ground movement.

Laboratory soil sample testing was completed and the results were reviewed, which led to the specification of heave precautions and deepened foundations on this particular project.

Architect: Dovetail Building Consultants Ltd

Groundworks Contractor: BVMH Groundworks

Timber Frame Designer: Dan-Wood