1970s House

Retro refit

An innovative retrofit project in Hertfordshire has led the way in considering how historic property can meet 21^st century needs.

This self-funded project by Scott Batty saw the architect turn over his own home to become an active tool to address the realities of housing refurbishment in the UK, developing strategies for improvements that minimise cost and inconvenience whilst delivering a more modern, efficient home.

Environ-mentally sound overcoat

The design aesthetic honours the 70s form, with a brickwork ground floor and timber-clad upper levels. Taking the concept of a “lifetime of living”, the space is maximised by opening, connecting and reusing as opposed to demolishing, while new insulation, cladding, heating and glazing provide an environmentally-sound “overcoat” for the home.

Flawless secret fix

Russwood products are used extensively throughout, with SILA Select® Siberian Larch board-on-board cladding selected for its maintenance-free longevity and natural weathering. SILA Select® also lends itself to detailing such as fascias, soffits, timber fins and fencing. Vertical Grain Siberian Larch is used for the external decking and fixed with GleitFix® which creates a ventilated gap between the decking boards and substructure preventing moisture trapping as well as giving a flawless “secret-fix” aesthetic.

With Russwood there’s a sense of a smaller, compact, friendly and efficient operation. I never felt as though I was being lost in “the system”. They became a partner for me to work with – someone who cares about the project. Russwood products invariably do what Russwood say they will do, cost what they say they will cost and arrive when they say they will arrive.