Glan Dulas
[Oak Extension]
This bespoke extension project for Paul and Jane was centred around transforming an existing stone outbuilding into a beautifully connected and functional living space. Their vision was to partially dismantle and extend the original structure before linking it seamlessly to the main house to create an additional room that felt both practical and naturally connected to the existing property. A key part of the brief was to create a calm space where Paul and Jane could relax while remaining closely connected to their garden and the views from their hillside spot.
While the finished result appears effortless, the project itself was technically demanding from the outset. Set into a steep hillside with extremely limited access, every stage of the build required careful planning, problem solving, and a hands-on approach. The completed extension now sits comfortably within its landscape, combining traditional materials, handcrafted detailing, and thoughtful design to create a space that feels as though it has always belonged there.
The site presented significant logistical and structural challenges. Located on a steep hillside with no direct access, every material, tool, and piece of equipment had to be transported by hand across a road and up a long flight of stone steps. Working within such a confined environment required precision, patience, and careful coordination throughout the build process.
Structurally, the project was equally complex. The existing masonry retaining wall had developed a significant belly due to pressure from the hillside behind it, meaning stabilisation and rebuilding work was essential before construction could progress safely. Working closely with both a geophysicist and structural engineer, a new retaining wall solution was carefully designed to secure the bank while respecting the character of the original building.
Once the groundwork and structural challenges had been resolved, attention turned to the oak frame itself. Despite the relatively modest scale of the extension, the frame included several highly detailed and technically demanding elements that made the project particularly rewarding to create. The frame was traditionally hand crafted using time-honoured techniques, celebrating the natural beauty and strength of the oak while creating a structure designed to last for generations as the original house has done.
One of the most distinctive features was the geometry of the linking structure, where the roof intersected the main roofline at 113 degrees rather than the more conventional 90-degree junction. These unusual details required careful planning and precise craftsmanship to ensure the structure remained elegant, balanced, and structurally sound.
As this was a full-build project, we oversaw and completed nearly every aspect of the construction process. Beyond crafting and erecting the oak frame, the team completed the roofing, insulation, plastering, slating, lead work, glazing, and bespoke joinery, ensuring we paid close attention to all the little details.
Particular care was taken to integrate the new extension naturally with the original stone structure, allowing old and new materials to complement one another while preserving the character of the site. The completed building combines traditional craftsmanship with modern performance, creating a warm, functional, and energy-efficient living space that doesn’t detract from the original building or look out of place in its hill side setting.
Following completion of the extension, we were later invited back to enclose the existing stone porch at the front of the house. The new enclosure was carefully designed and built to tie in seamlessly with the extension, using complementary materials and detailing to ensure the addition felt cohesive with both the original property and the newly completed work.
It is not often that you encounter consummate professionals, who are not only experts in their field, but who are also thoroughly decent and pleasant individuals. Robin and Jody clearly love their work, take great pride in doing a good job and go the extra mile to get things right. We were particularly impressed, and to be honest surprised, by the extra touches that they added to our wonderful extension. Indeed, we were so pleased with their work that we have employed them again and once more are delighted with the end result. I have no reservation in recommending ‘Vincent and Parry Timber Framing’.
- Paul Smith
