Summerhouse

A garden outbuilding in Hereford, designed by Andy Simmonds, built by Fraser Williams with apprentice, Raimi Wye. Complete Summer 2022.

Brief description from Fraser ‘ We built this garden room in the summer of 2022. I was the main carpenter working alongside apprentice Raimi Wye. Andy Simmonds provided a lot of practical support during the build – such as input on building details and construction techniques – and drew up all the plans. We started by clearing the area and installing giant ground screws, which would take the frame’s weight. Next, we assembled a wooden frame using locally grown douglas fir from Whitney Sawmills. Phew… the 6×6 posts were very heavy! Once the frame was in, we built the roof, sheathed the building, and continued through to the cladding. On completion around 12 weeks later, we gave a group ‘cheers’ to a charming structure which celebrated our work as a team and enshrined good environmental building practices. The living roof, cedar cladding and large double-glazed windows work in harmony to provide a beautiful perspective of our client’s garden, and, inside, a very special place to be. ‘

The summerhouse allows a home owner with a very modest terraced house to have a retreat at the end of their garden that is beautifully built, well insulated and draft-free – it’s essentially an extra room.

The post and beam timber frame uses locally-sourced douglas fir. This sits on galvanised steel ground screws, thus avoiding concrete foundations. The frame is insulated with wood fibre insulation. Interior is lime-plastered. The room has an air-to-air heat exchanger. The large window to the garden has fixed double-glazing, avoiding the cost of this being an opening light. The roof is finished with sedum planting.