Case Study – Lakes Bespoke New Build, Ings, Windermere
Here at Wolfe we are proud to have been appointed the primary contractor and designer of this beautiful newly built Lakes detached home. Its March 2025 and we are now coming up to being water tight having worked through the tough winter months of the year to get to this stage.
Below is the story so far, which I’ll update as we work through the interior phase of the project…
Where Are We?
We are based between Coniston and Ulverston, but work across the Lake District. For this particular project, if you’ve driven from Kendal to Windermere (or via versa, on the A591) in the last 4 months you’ll have seen the Wolfe team hard at work on this one.
It started with our customers home, though it had its own charm, just not being what they needed for their retirement. They wanted a well insulated, thoughtfully laid out property utilising modern technology to create an energy efficient, yet characterful property. This could never have been achieved with the original property, so whilst the location was perfect the existing property fell short. So the old came down and we set to work building our customers new dream home.
Some complexity of design to achieve these ends was not shied away from, and as the walls came up and the space took shape it was clear the space really worked.
From The Ground Up..
Once the intricate layout was mapped to ground, foundations dug and poured, the block work was also laid with precision, skill and good pace by the Wolfe team. As the original property we replaced was finished in a rough cast render typical of the area, the same look was designed for our build, with block work and rough cast K-Rend agreed.
Made-To-Measure Trusses and Easy Joists
Made to measure trusses, positioned by crane were carefully installed once block work was up to wall plate. See the link below for the 3D imaging of the truss during truss design phase..
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/24-06-025-truss-order-579e0c967c6a47ebb03f3608d1d46e24
Green Slate Headers and Reclaimed Roof Slates
To bring some local natural stone into the mix, for each window and door head, solid stone headers were sourced from our stone masons own green slate quarry above Coniston. This worked particularly well with the reclaimed green slate roofing, to make the whole build really tie back into the natural landscape in which is occupied.
Project Renewables
Once we were watertight, next came the renewables in partnership with our local specialist. This was carefully designed to suit perfectly the home we were creating and the needs of our client.
This included :
PV (Solar) Panels
Situated to the rear roof elevations to maintain the lakes look of the fully reclaimed slate roof to the front elevation. Generating electricity for use, charging battery back up and allowing potential for resale back into the grid.
Heat Recovery and Ventilation System (HRVS)
Providing fresh filtered, temperature controlled air, with facility for carefully off site monitoring by our specialist supplier and installer, to ensure optimal temperature and efficient running as well as running cost analysis, (however minimal this cost might now be!).
Air Source Heat Pump
This was selected on this occasion over ground source, with lower upfront costs and great performance, also attracting £7,500 Government grant claimed on behalf of our customer.
Underfloor Heating (UFH)
This wet system was installed to the ground floor, and with HRVS system, further heating to the first floor was effectively not required, heat (and cool) being circulated throughout the building.
Windows and Doors
Aluminium windows and doors are now ordered and will be coming soon to site for install.
We look forward to updating you soon, and completing the rest of the project for our customer.
Give us a wave next time your passing!
Thanks
Tim
Wolfe Design & Build (MD)