Private Residence, Wantage

This impressive dwelling is set out over two floors, with numerous step-backs and cantilevered overhangs. The vast living space at ground floor is column free, thanks to hanged columns concealed in the walls at first floor, and principle spanning structure at roof level.

The GF walls are masonry in shallow strip foundations and parts are in steel framing, whilst the first-floor walls are timber construction. The swimming pool retaining box structure is formed in reinforced concrete.

To provide the necessary stability in a building with so few internal walls and large expanses of glazing we employed a mixed approach. Masonry shear walls and braced bays in the steel frame at ground floor, and timber ply-sheathed racking panels at first floor.

We provided structural and below ground drainage design for the project, specifying the attenuation tank, rainwater harvesting, and soakaway.

Architect: Nick Shipp Architects