The final episode of Channel 4’s latest Grand Designs series follows the experience of a self-builder employing a highly innovative and flexible build system which, in this instance, sees its high-performance elevations given a proprietary render system across Magply modified magnesium sulphate boards.
Screened on May 9th the story behind the two-bedroom property’s construction profiles the use of Boutique Modern’s PFC steel section and SIPs system to erect a highly energy efficient structure, which could have carried many different exterior treatments. The programme also reviews the neighbouring properties – already covered in previous episodes – which have been built as part of the far larger Graven Hill self-build project instigated by Cherwell District Council.
Lucas Shone of Boutique Modern explains: “Our build system is very adaptable to many types of residential property, providing a turnkey solution which we can configure to whatever a client might want. Often they come to us with designs which were intended to be traditionally built, or even modular, and we can interpret them as a computer based exercise, providing our own volumetric build-system, with a full choice of finishes”
Having undertaken some 130 projects already, we are also now launching our range of homes and moving into social housing. U-values are between 0.15 and 0.18 W/m2K and achieve an airtightness figure of 2 m3/m2/hour.
In the case of Plot 9 on The Street, where the planning permission permits completely free choice, the client wanted to have a rendered finish and we wrote a performance specification for the substrate board which required a fire compliance due to the proximity of the adjoining property.”
The 9mm Magply boards were fixed across a ventilated battened cavity across the outside face of the SIPs, ready for the render contractor to apply its self-coloured render finish, which includes a base coat, reinforcing mesh and top coat. A spokesperson for the render specialist added: “we use Magply on a number of our contracts as a render substrate board, it’s an easy board to work with and offers a fantastic substrate and is an approved board with a number of render manufacturers.”
The nine similarly sized and serviced plots along The Street were sold by Cherwell District Council for £100K each and provide a free-wheeling eclectic architectural signature for what is set to be the UK’s largest ever self-build development. There is also a Graven Hill ‘Plot Passport’ setting out performance guidelines for all the homes in order to direct performance standards and sustainability. Plot 9’s Boutique Modern building with its highly energy efficient rendered walls and sloped monopitch roof fulfil this ambition admirably.
