top of page
Search

From Empty Site to Weather-Tight Shell in just 4 Months in Kellington

  • Writer: Office
    Office
  • 5 days ago
  • 2 min read

Updated: 21 hours ago


It has been an incredible four months on-site at the Kellington self-build project. Watching an empty site transform into a fully enclosed, weather-tight shell in just twelve weeks is a testament to the power of modern methods of construction and careful architectural planning.


Timber frame house with scaffolding
Rear view of the house with its covered balcony.

The Speed of Sustainable Construction


A primary goal for this project was to achieve a high-performance building envelope without the lengthy timelines associated with traditional masonry. By utilising off-site manufacturing and high-specification systems, the build reached major milestones in record time:


  • Foundation: The project started with an Isoquick insulated raft foundation system which provides a seamless thermal envelope beneath the entire footprint, eliminating cold bridges.

  • The Shell: Once the slab was ready, the Buildakit timber frame was delivered. The entire two-storey, three-bedroom structure including all internal walls and floors was erected in just one week.

  • The Envelope: To complete the contemporary aesthetic, a Lindas standing seam metal roof and wall cladding was installed, paired with high-performance windows and doors from 21 Degrees.

The Heart of the Project

Beyond the technical specifications, the heart of this project is the dedication of the clients, Terry and Jayne. Embarking on a self-build is a monumental task, and the pair have fully embraced the experience—complete with a caravan on-site to oversee the progress, just as every true self-build project should!

Self-builders on site
Terry and Jayne on site

Terry and Jayne have taken on a significant portion of the physical work themselves. Battling through the winter elements and challenging site conditions, his and Jayne's commitment has been instrumental in turning the architectural vision into a reality. Hats off to them!


A Modern Addition to the Village

While the design is unapologetically contemporary, a key focus was ensuring the house sat respectfully within the Kellington street scene. The feedback from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive; the building’s form and materiality are already proving that modern, sustainable dwellings can sit comfortably in a traditional setting.


New build house street view
The new dwelling as seen from Kellington Main Street

What’s Next?

With the shell now watertight, the project moves into an exciting aesthetic and energy-focused phase:


  • Solar Integration: The installation of solar panels on the standing seam roof to power the home’s low-energy systems.

  • External Finishes: Starting the installation of the composite cladding to the front and rear elevations, which will define the final look of the home.


This project remains a prime example of how sustainable, low-energy homes can be delivered with speed and precision. Watch this space for more progress on site


Watch the progress video below to see the 4-month transformation:


Project Suppliers and Contractors:


 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page