In February, the grass is returning to life. It’s very wet, but the new drainage solutions are already proving useful. The swale, which moderates rainfall, is working well throughout the winter period. The site has been drained and the public highway which used to flood badly has not flooded this year.
The swale also acts as a pond for the site in these wetter moments. We’ve worked with the wider estate to connect the existing network of ditches, springs, and weirs to the swale, ensuring there’s always fresh flowing water.
Now it’s time to remove the scaffolding and unveil the progress made beneath. Services are being installed and insulated, layered through the structure’s lattice joists. The ventilation system will bring fresh Herefordshire air from the outside in, while recovering the heat.
As we build up the layers of the building, it’s time for plasterboarding, with the wall linings being installed for this. Where there are rammed earth walls, these are left unfinished.
This layering also includes fitting the pocket sliding door kits. When opened, these doors can disappear entirely from the space.
Underfloor heating and hot water will be generated using air source heat pumps which are now on site and stored in the compound. This will be screened with oak and fencing from trees on site, processed by Whitney Sawmills.
