Design, Planning & Build
Client Design Brief
The first step in designing any oak building is to take a comprehensive and detailed brief from the client. This process should be open, exploratory, and free from the immediate constraints of budget, allowing for a fuller understanding of the project’s potential. A site visit will assess not just the physical environment but also the broader context such as landscaping, access, views, and relationship with the main house.
An effective brief encompasses both short-term and long-term aspirations. Clients may initially focus on practical needs—garages, workshops, or storage—but a well-considered design will anticipate future uses, such as additional family accommodation, or workspaces. By engaging with an experienced architect early in the process, clients can refine their objectives into a coherent plan that balances aspiration with feasibility.
Design Benefits
Good design is the foundation of a successful project, and in the case of oak timber frame buildings, it is particularly crucial. A well-designed ancillary building should be comfortable and where necessary integrate with the main house and landscape, considering factors such as orientation and natural light. The setting of the building plays a significant role in the overall success of the design. Considerations such as views, privacy, and how the building interacts with existing garden spaces are key. Landscaping can be used to soften the visual impact of a larger structure while also enhancing its usability. A well-placed building will complement the main house, rather than compete with it.
Longevity is another critical factor in design. A well-conceived oak frame building will not only meet present needs but will also remain adaptable for future uses. Structural integrity, spatial efficiency, and detailing contribute to a design that remains functional and attractive over decades.
Photo: Design Elevations For Planning
Planning Applications
Navigating the planning process is a key aspect of any building project, and oak frame ancillary buildings are no exception. Engaging a planning specialist early on can significantly improve the likelihood of a successful application. For buildings within the curtilage of an existing home, a householder planning application is typically required. However, if the proposal involves a change of use in the land or the use of the building – a full planning application may be necessary, which is more complex and costly.
Understanding local authority requirements is essential in shaping the design. Some councils have specific policies regarding outbuildings, including restrictions on height, footprint, and proximity to boundaries. Planners may also request additional supporting information such as ecology surveys, tree assessments, flood risk evaluations, and surface water management strategies. Preparing these in advance can prevent delays in the approval process.
Photo: Timber Frame Design Model
AONB, Conservation & Listed Buildings
Planning applications that involve sensitive aspects are best handled by companies with in-house architectural design and planning consultancy experience. Bringing both professional skill sets together is crucial in developing the right design proposals where listed and conservation officers are involved. In house capability ensures the architect designing the buildings takes on board the planning consultant’s recommendations and therefore any constraints or preferences the officers require are built into the design. The value of this approach often prevents long drawn-out planning processes.
An intelligent and capable in-house design skill in oak framing will often save costs indirectly. Furthermore, timber framing has excellent flexibility, for example glazed aspects can be future proofed into the subframe should there be planning constraints, these features can then be dealt with through planning at a separately long after the building is established. Other design lead solutions can mitigate the volume of the building where planning constraints apply, without preventing the client from achieving their aspirations on usages.
Timber Frame 3D Design
Once planning permission is secured, the project enters the detailed design phase. This is an intensive period where the architect, contractor, and specialist oak frame manufacturer collaborate to finalize all construction details and costs. During this stage, every aspect of the building is refined, from structural connections to materials, insulation, and services. This process aligns with RIBA work stages, particularly the technical design and construction planning phases, ensuring that all drawings and specifications are complete before work begins on-site.
Oak frames require specialist manufacturers with expertise in traditional craftsmanship and modern precision engineering. Selecting an experienced oak frame company is essential to achieving the best results. These specialists will ensure that the frame is fabricated to exacting standards before being transported to site for assembly.
Photo: Oak Framed Building Model
Interior Design
Once the full design of the oak framed building has been established, the output of this is will accurately set the direction for interior design. Floor plans and cross sections will be produced from the 3D model to facilitate an accurate set of drawing where interior spaces can be detailed.
Various aspects such as running of service in and around the building, w/c bathroom and kitchenette spaces can be set out accurately with the correct clearances for standing heights, manoeuvrability and appliances that may all be determined in a coordinated fashion.
Detaching the design accountability of the oak frame design from the interior spaces may often lead to issues where clients are left attempting to figure out the best floor plan layouts, or particularly in room above cases where the roof impedes certain fit out items such as shower cubical clearances that are often best placed to the side of the roof space to maximise floor plan efficiency.
Conclusion
Designing oak frame ancillary buildings is a rewarding endeavour, offering both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits, particularly when incorporating room above living spaces. However, achieving the best outcome requires careful planning, expert design, and collaboration with experienced professionals. By considering site context, engaging in a thoughtful design process, and working with specialists at every stage, homeowners can create a durable, adaptable, and visually stunning addition to their property.
Photo: 5 Bay Oak Framed House
“Design & Build Solutions For Oak Framed Buildings”