This is the latest, more flexible, more spatially varied version of the Growing House, including double-height spaces and a roof terrace. The multi-layered Sketchup model, complete with animated views of five possible versions, is now ready to download, free. The Growing House updates the traditional English cottage by making it more flexible and by improving its energy performance. With a little forethought and some new but simple technologies like open web joists and GRP dormers, the traditional cottage becomes a customizable, flexible and extendable modern house. First time buyers can start with a basic ‘shell and core’ and extend it in stages - upwards, rearwards and sideways, or by the addition of optional extras like bay windows and porches. In the meantime, they can rearrange the spaces inside the house by moving or adding partitions and bathrooms with complete freedom. The house lends itself equally well to traditional or modern methods of construction. The SketchUp model includes five versions of the Growing House Mark 2, but many more are possible. It is important to realise that these are not alternative house types, but a single flexible and extendable house shown at various stages in its growth. This flexibility is made possible by a simple, cheap and readily available technology: long span, open-web joists with plywood floor decks. Careful positioning of the service core ensures that every part of the house, including its extensions, can be connected up easily. High levels of thermal insulation and air-tightness, heat recovery ventilation and solar thermal water heating ensure that the Growing House meets the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Contact Crowstep Architecture on info@crowstep.co.uk if you are interested in purchasing working drawings for The Growing House. In meantime you can download the Sketchup model free of charge.
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