Cheshire is known for its rich history, cultural attractions and picturesque countryside. With a wide variety of spa breaks, wellness retreats, charming rural cottages and boutique hotels visitors have a variety of places to choose from.
The owners of The Nook have embraced this with the creation of a 15 lodge exclusive holiday retreat.
Getting the client back on program to meet the finance milestone, whilst retaining quality was the brief. To achieve this we needed a production line method. Outerspace’s flexible approach, made it possible to phase the project, with installation teams split into specialisms, (floor, walls, roof), along with third parties subcontractors, such as screw pile installers and scaffolders.
Each team had a clear line of communication with the next and their relevant supplier. Understanding how each other worked, meant materials were supplied in a just in time manner and phases handed over without remedial work required. In the depths of winter, with at time torrential rain, high winds and a water logged site, the team delivered on time.
A significant capital outlay and impact on cash flow, choosing the best construction method for your project requires a lot of consideration. In our Steel vs Timber vs SIPs BLOG you can read more on this matter, with the conclusion being;
Each method has its advantages and is suitable for different types of projects depending on specific needs and priorities.
Steel: Best for projects requiring durability, strength, and large, open spaces. Ideal for commercial and industrial buildings.
Timber Frame: Most suitable for residential projects, especially where cost, sustainability, and design flexibility are priorities.
SIPs: Excellent for energy-efficient homes and projects with a focus on rapid construction and long-term energy savings.
This project is a worked example of steel vs SIPs construction, and how sometimes if your initial approach is looking like the wrong one, you need to make an early change.
The Nook wanted to appeal to couples, families, and parties, so a mix of one, two and three bed designs were completed. Coordinating with our structural engineer, glulam’s were installed to achieve the elevated pitch roof ceilings and large open plan living.
SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) offer excellent thermal performance, reducing energy consumption and costs. They provide high strength and structural integrity, speeding up construction due to prefabrication. SIPs also offer superior insulation and airtightness, which enhances energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
A sedum roof installed by ANX, is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant sedum plants. It provides natural insulation, reduces stormwater runoff, and enhances biodiversity. Sedum roofs also improve air quality, lower urban heat island effects, and offer aesthetic benefits while being lightweight and easy to install on various building type
A commercial project, steel frame was chosen for its durability and competitive price. Built onto a grid of screw piles, all elevations were in steel. Four projects were completed, however, the installation time was taking far longer than expected. Labour costs were spiralling and it was apparent early on the financing milestone was not going to be met; this would have be catastrophic for cash flow, jeopardising the whole scheme.
Having already evaluated different construction methods during the pre build phase, the client had other solutions deciding before the fourth project was finished to move to SIPs.
Floor, external walls (and internal), and the roof was completed with SIPs from Outerspace. Based in Wrexham, only 40 minutes from The Nook, and producing some of the best SIPs kits in the U.K Outerspace were the ideal supplier for The Nook.
A luxury destination, the client wanted high performing snug buildings that were warm in the winter, cool in the summer with low energy consumption. Far exceeding the U’ Values required for a new build the client chose panels with values of 0.15 for the roof and 0.18 for the walls and floor. ANX installed the Sedum roof coverings and joinery taking the buildings to watertight stage.
SIPs panels were supplied by Outerspace Group. ANX supplied a core team to deliver the SIPS installations, services engaged were;
Services Engaged
SIP Installation | Sedum Roof | Joinery Installation
Able to meet their deadlines there was only a minimal over run of the project, the client was able to continue on schedule.
If you have a tight deadline to open your holiday retreat, then please get in touch.