New Annex, West Cornwall
Replacing an old block built piggery sited within the curtilage of an older farmstead, the brief involves the construction of a single storey detached annex to provide 2 bedrooms and living space. The design responds to the site providing views of the immediate fields and garden with primary glazed façade facing south to maximise winter solar gains for passive solar heating. Larger over hanging roof to the south reduce the suns penetration in summer months thereby moderating the internal temperature.
In addition to the super insulation achieved with reclaimed sheeps wool and passive solar gains, heat is supplied by a masonry wood stove and 2 back up 1kw electric panel heaters which in turn link to the Solar PV array on the south facing pitched roof. Simple agricultural materials of timber and steel are used as external cladding. The project was self managed and self built by the family and completed to a high specification on a modest budget. A testament to ingenuity, skill and vision.