The build strategy for David Sheppard’s Hedge House is simple, logical and modular. This makes for an easy and quick build – and a building which will adapt to a variety of configurations and possible uses.

The construction method for Hedge House is unconventional but very simple and within the capability of any good building company. In David Sheppard’s own words:-

“The ground floor is made up in a block and beam slab supported between a steel frame and screw piles (this foundation method avoids excessive excavation and refuse to land fill). This will form a levitating platform above the ground from which to build. The whole fabric of the house, all walls, floors, ceilings and roof are made in brick and wood. Rather than building from the ground up, this building is constructed from end to end in repeated frames down the length of the whole building’.

Each frame is composed of vertical and horizontal members in wood or brick 215 x 100mm sections alternating in materials down the length of the building. Each section of wood or brick is roughly the same length, so the building is modulated in its construction and aesthetic.

Each brick section is made like a beam, used vertically or horizontally, with pre-tensioned steel reinforcement located in the holes of the engineering bricks that hold the brick and mortar layers together. We envisage that this can be prefabricated off site to achieve accuracy, quality and reduce building time. Each section can then be crane lifted into position, starting at one end in repeated modules of brick, wood, brick, wood … down the whole length of the building.

We suggest building the internal side of the external walls first, where the frame is a repeated 215mm wide section of wall, floor and roof until you achieve a building length of 53.0m. Once this is complete, the composite insulation and membrane covering should be fixed making the building watertight.

Repeat the framing process for the external skin, alternating between frames of brick and wood cutting the window openings as you progress. Top with a planted green roof will complete the process.”