LANSDOWNE ROAD CAMBRIDGE Private Client Architect: Donald Insall Associates	housing	next project
2007 Winner of Best One-off House in the LABC Built-in Quality Awards. "...the attention to detail in the project is astounding: construction of the house anticipates a potential future conversion for wider use, while good disabled access is provided throughout by DDA-compliant ramps being built into the structure."	A unique two storey house situated on the western outskirts of Cambridge. The house has a complex plan form set out as a series of curved facades of varying radii and centres, connected with projecting walls set out along radial lines. The striking monopitch curved roofs are clad in copper and supported by plywood decks on glulam beams. Vertical structure comprises 450mm thick cavity wall construction incorporating 200mm of insulation to provide a highly energy efficient building. Jointing and lateral restraint of the un-conventional curved wall construction required special detailing. A rationalised arrangement of precast concrete beams was devised for the ground floor construction; the first floor is of reinforced concrete to accommodate the complexities of the split level floor plan. A public surface water sewer running under the site had to be diverted outside of the footprint of the new house; the sewer also collected balancing flows from ponds adjoining the flat and low lying site. Start of the work on the building was delayed while measures were put in place to protect a colony of Great Crested Newts from the effects of the development. Principal: Tony Hayes Project Engineer: Mark Chapman