Louise Villas was our most challenging project. Back garden land was excavated 5 meters down, 10 meters deep and 30 meters wide to allow the construction of a retaining wall and raft foundation to be created. The raft foundation was made to support the build of the 6 new houses. This was a significant engineering project that involved several skilled contactors and was a true logistical achievement.
108 muck away lorries of chalk were dug out and removed from site, 70 tons of steel fabrication laid, 36 lorry loads of concrete poured and 3 months of labour was needed to produce this impressive and unusual structure. Not only did this provide a solid foundation for the construction of the new build houses on a steep gradient, but as importantly, it enabled us to provide a fire escape route for all the new houses in compliance with building regulations.
The houses eventually would become ‘upside down town houses’ with far reaching views. We wanted each house made from a timber frame to be energy efficient and constructed from a renewable source. Making the houses ‘upside down’ was decided this way too make most use out of the steep gradient of the land whilst enhancing the look of the local area and its surroundings. This also allowed us to add more internal square footage to the properties while providing level rear gardens and natural sunlight to the open plan kitchen and living area. Along with a rear entrance and fire escape to the kitchen.
Louise Villas was named in memory of a very special lady.
