As the site of an old garage this required careful site investigation both because of difficult ground conditions and potential contamination.
Research determined this was the site of an old loading dock and complications included the adjacent lock which meant the site wall effectively retained the Kennet and Avon canal.
Investigations confirmed variable ground and the design solution was to underpin both retaining walls and incorporate them in the new structure. This avoided disturbing the canal and infrastructure buried in the adjacent towpath.
A grid of piled ground beams provided the necessary support for the hybrid timber frame and masonry structure.
Complex geometry and a pronounced cantilever dictated choice of lightweight construction above first floor.