98Package Builds

When you mention prefabricated package build homes, people’s thoughts often steer towards the white, box-like structures of the past. Over the following pages, we showcase some inspiring projects that highlight how this hands-off build route can deliver a

Do you want a new home delivered on time and on budget without the DIY? This range of beautiful, bespoke homes highlights the benefits of hiring a turnkey supplier

modern eco

Location: cambridgeshire size: 200m2 buiLd cost: £600,000

The homeowners behind this project

took a huge risk when buying their plot – which had previously housed lock-up garages – without planning permission in place.

The couple knew of package company Baufritz and loved its energy-efficient approach. Working alongside their architect and Baufritz (baufritz.com), the couple finalised their design before visiting the Baufritz HQ in Germany to select their internal fit-out choices, built-in items and interior design details. The house was then delivered to site, to a fixed budget and completion date — the assembly of the house took a mere three days.

To save time on site, the highly insulated 370mm-thick wall panels were prefabricated in Baufritz’s factory with doors and tripleglazed windows fitted, and lifted into place on site with two cranes. The internal walls also came ready to paint, saving time on finishing.

The property has been finished in horizontal strips of larch which appear to wrap around the building, with frameless glazing puncturing the elevations to create a contemporary look. Inside, there has been a deliberate focus on energy efficiency as well as healthy living, with no MDF, PVC or polystyrene used. The paints and glues are also VOC and toxin free. Underfloor heating, a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system, solar PV panels, a 5kW woodburning stove and a hot water circulation pump have been installed, and the

house is recyclable if demolished.

traditional

Location: surrey size: 445m2 buiLd cost: undiscLosed Designed with Tudor influences

at the forefront of the brief, this impressive new build marries traditional form with modern-day high-spec finishes.

Looking to create an individual home that met their needs, the homeowners called upon Scandia-Hus (scandia-hus. co.uk) to deliver a home which was energy efficient, offered generous living and bedroom accommodation, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Working closely with the company’s design team, the homeowners chose a tailored model comprising five generous bedrooms spread over three storeys. There’s a large open plan kitchen diner with vaulted sunroom, a separate living room and snug, and a home office and media room on the top floor. All the principal rooms have an integrated audio system with speakers in the ceilings, while a gas condensing boiler, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system and solar panels also feature.

Externally, the home’s appearance is traditional – and proof that not all new homes need to be ultra-modern – with a palette of render, exposed oak and brick. The steep slope of the gables accentuate the Tudor style. The design and build route offered by Scandia-Hus suited the homeowners perfectly. After selecting the internal fixtures and fittings from the company’s range in their showroom, the home was then delivered to site and completed within just nine months.

contemporary

Location: Perthshire, scotLand size: 311m2 buiLd cost: £500,000

With its split-level zinc roof, balconies and crisp cladding materials – including render, timber and stone gabion walls, which envelop the house – this contemporary new home by Hanse Haus (hanse-haus.co.uk) cuts a dynamic shape against its rural Scottish backdrop.

After liaising with the design team at Hanse Haus, the owners flew out to Germany to decide on the final specification, choosing their flooring, windows, kitchen, bathrooms — and even their door handles! To schedule, the house arrived on a series of trucks from the German factory, and there were just 22 weeks from when the first truck arrived on site to when the family could move in.

Now in their finished home, the owners can enjoy uninterrupted views of the countryside thanks to expanses of glazing, with picture windows, patio and sliding doors all included. Voluminous ceiling heights also add to the drama of the contemporary interiors. Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the property boasts a ground source heat pump and an impressive 40 photovoltaic panels on the roof. As a result, the property actually generates more electricity than the owners use.

barn style

Location: cambridgeshire size: 283m2 budget: £340,000

With no building experience or even

DIY skills, but with an ambition to build their own home, Simon and Bibby Towler felt that going down the package route was the most practical option to create their dream home. After purchasing a plot, the couple approached Potton (potton.co.uk) with a brief for a traditional-style home with a contemporary interior, and landed on a barn-style design after being inspired by the company’s Wickhambrook Barn model.

Working with Potton’s self-build expert Tom Allen, the couple were confident their project was in safe hands.

“Tom’s experience on the technical aspects of construction was invaluable as we moved bifolds, changed window dimensions, amended layouts, and removed and replaced beams. We opted for the full insulation package from Potton and chose their external and internal joinery package which included the staircase,” says Bibby. The couple then hired Potton-approved tradespeople to carry out the groundworks and build.

A combination of brick and timber clads the external façade of the property, with aluminium-framed windows fitting to the desired agricultural aesthetic. Internally, a double-height volume with mezzanine landing is one of the more striking features.

detached property, Lynn and David Paynter decided it was time to embark on their long-held self-build dream. Working with German package company Huf Haus (huf-haus.com/uk), the couple set about designing and building their dream house.

As part of the company’s full turnkey build route, the couple flew out to the Huf Haus headquarters in Germany to decide on all of the finishes — from kitchen and windows to flooring, bathrooms and more. Work commenced on site with the demolition of the existing bungalow which occupied the parcel of land, and a pit was excavated to receive 700m of pipework, which would provide the infrastructure for a ground source heat pump. A month later, Huf Haus arrived with a team of German workers to begin the construction.

“The construction process was fascinating. They even brought over their own crane and driver! This was used to lift the pre-manufactured walls into place, complete with plumbing, wiring and glazing. Everything arrived on articulated lorries, after a long road trip across Europe from Germany,” says Lynn.

Within five days, the second floor was complete, and by day seven the building was weatherproof.

At this point, attention was focused on the interior fit out, which began with the pouring of cement screed on all floors, concealing the underfloor heating pipes.

Inside, varied ceiling heights help to zone open plan spaces, and full-height glazing offers views over the surrounding landscape. The end result is a modern home which has been built to precise standards for a complete hands-off approach.