Architects Datafile (ADF) – June 2019

£20,000-

3

it being cheaper, however because of the

climate and conditions it would have needed

a specialist sub-contractor: “Different trades

always add to cost of ‘affordable’ housing,”

he says.

Externally, the geometric form of Integra

house is complemented by a near-monotone

specification of material for the external

envelope – the building being almost entirely

shrouded in larch strips, interrupted only by

the glazing and dark steel frames holding

them in place. The house sits on a timber

platform, providing a sort of terrace which

wraps around its periphery. Internally, the

building houses two floors: The ground level

covering the entire expanse of the plan –

except for some intrusions at both ends of

the building; and the first floor houses three-

metres-wide ‘attic’ space extending along the

total length of the building.

At ground level, the southern side of the

scheme houses a open-plan kitchen and living

area, a utility room and concealed storage

space, while at the northern side two

bedrooms and a bathroom are situated.

When entering the building through the main

entrance situated on the house’s western

elevation, the user enters a hallway which

provides access to these two wings, as well as

a generous staircase leading up to the first

floor attic space. This houses a bedroom plus

WC, a modest study, and further storage

areas towards the northern side, while a void

on the southern side turns the living area

below into a double-height space, while

providing the client with the flexibility to add

a fourth bedroom later on if desired.

Structurally resourceful

The innovation that Integra House

champions has to do with its structure.

“Standard normal timber frame become so

expensive due to energy efficiency and

airtightness requirements,” says Deveci,

adding, “I could afford much more roof

truss.” The architect says he “interrogated

himself” on why a robust, laser-cut

product using good quality structural

timber like a roof truss couldn’t be used for

the walls, floors and the roof. So, by using

ABOVE
Foundation junction detail (suspended timber floor)
wood wool insulation; wall U-value = 0.08 W/m^2 K /
floor U-value = 0.19 W/m^2 K

38PROJECT REPORT: SELFBUILD & CUSTOM BUILD PROJECTS

WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK ADF JUNE 2019