Making a mark in a traditional se ing
With parts of the building dating back as far as the 14th century, Beckside is a substantial stonebuilt house in the historic North Yorkshire village of Ripley, to the north of Harrogate..
The property is full of the character and charm which comes with such age, meaning any alterations or additions need to be handled with sensitivity and a respect for the existing fabric.
Such projects make up a considerable proportion of the order book for Yorkshire Oak Frames, with the company’s use of traditional materials and construction techniques resulting in a perfect match between old and new.
At Beckside, the homeowners – as with so many others – were in search of additional living space. The solution chosen comprises a lounge, overlooking the garden, with floor-to-ceiling glass on all three external sides.
Structurally, the lounge extension consists of an oak frame rising to a kingpost truss roof with purlins.
The roof is covered with stone tiles, echoing the rest of the property, while French doors give access to a stone-flagged patio and, in turn, the garden.
To achieve a rustic finish in keeping with the existing stonework, the frame timbers were left untreated both inside and out and then hand finished.
Both physically and stylistically the lounge provides a link between the house and garden, between indoors and outdoors, with natural light adding to the sense of space. A log-burning stove ensures it is an equally welcoming prospect on cold days and dark evenings.
Although jobs of this nature are very much the ‘bread and bu5er’ for Yorkshire Oak Frames, nevertheless they still provide great satisfaction for director Adam Walker and the team.
“I sometimes think if we could only do these kind of jobs, I would be perfectly happy,” says Adam. “It’s an opportunity to work with clients and existing buildings to make our mark on them, to use their ideas and our own designs to enhance what is already there, and that provides a lot of satisfaction.
“The new structure at
Beckside sits very well with the existing building, inside as well as out. It’s sympathetic to it, such as in the use of Yorkshire stone for the roof, but at the same time it adds a contemporary touch in the shape of the extensive area of glass.
“The clients are delighted with the result – and so are we.”
Based at Sicklinghall, in the lower Wharfe valley near Wetherby, Yorkshire Oak Frames is the region’s leading oak frame and structural carpentry business, using quality timber from sustainably managed sources.
Its locally-based craftspeople are drawn from an eclectic range of backgrounds and are united by a passion for the work they do and what they create.
n Carlshead Farms, Paddock House Lane, Sicklinghall, Wetherby LS22 4BJ. n 01423 209035 n www.yorkshireoakframes. co.uk