Posted 10 November 2016 by
Keith OsborneWe continue our ongoing series of interviews with senior executives from Britain’s new homes industry by talking this week to Stuart MacArthur, founder of Living Oak, a company that builds luxury, timber-framed homes, conversions and extensions in the Home Counties.
Hi Stuart, please tell us a little about yourself and Living Oak.
I established Living Oak in 2010, when I realised the connection between nature and modern living. For many people, particularly those in urban surroundings, going back to nature is a rare feat. I discovered that by infusing a home with natural oak structure created a sense of calm and well being. An oak frame will stir ones emotions and give you a feeling that no other style of house will offer. I believe that buildings shape the way people interact with each other and this has become evident with some of the feedback we have had from our clients.
We specialise in the design and construction of bespoke, oak-framed luxury homes; modern barn conversions; large extensions, conservatories, luxury pool houses and garden rooms, combining a natural tactile product with traditional building techniques and innovative design.
What is it that characterises one of your oak-framed homes?
We believe in a less is more approach, with regards to the oak frame, to create exceptional living spaces that stir client’s emotions as they walk in to them. Often oak frame companies and indeed, new clients, will want to have lots of oak frame within a project, however we feel that often there is too much emphasis on the oak itself. Careful consideration of the other elements that surround the frame and the interior design enables us to create fresh and stunning spaces. This sympathetic approach and our bespoke one to one service is what sets us apart from our competitors.
Does a wooden frame have any compromises/advantages over other types of construction?
Timber frame is the norm in many countries and the most proven building system. Our projects are typically a hybrid of a true timber-frame building where we use elements of oak frame, some softwood frame and other standard construction materials.
Globally, timber frames are being increasingly used, even with some skyscrapers which reach to 20 storeys in height are being constructed from timber.
There are lots of advantages to timber-frame construction, but its best-known quality is its environmental excellence. The pressure to adopt more environmentally friendly measures is becoming more intense, with the government demanding that all partners in the building industry contribute to reducing the impact of development on CO2 emissions. To produce a timber-frame structure, you will emit less CO2 than a traditional brick build. The timber is taken from sustainable woods which means the trees are replanted to the level of re-growth.
What properties are you working on at the moment, and what is special about them?
We have a number of exciting projects at the moment including a Grade II listed barn near St Albans. The softwood exterior structure is being retained and we are creating an oak frame which will be dropped in sections, into the existing listed shell.
We are also in the process of creating a two-storey extension on a Grade II listed property in the Surrey Hills for our client, who is a prominent MP. The downstairs will form a glazed drawing room with lovely views over the Surrey countryside, whilst the upstairs will incorporate a cosy bedroom with a vaulted ceiling formed by the oak frame.
We are also creating a beautiful oak frame for a stunning 240m extension in a Grade II listed 17th-century house in the Surrey Hills and a vaulted reception for a large construction company’s offices, create a grand entrance and wow factor when customers visit.
How long does such a project take from start to finish?
It depends on the level of work required but typically it will take three to six months per project.
Do your customers have individual choice about many aspects of the design and specification?
Yes, absolutely. We work very closely with our clients and the planners to create a bespoke space which perfectly fits our client’s specification. Our approach is to listen to our client’s needs and requirements and to make constructive observations and suggestions to deliver a beautiful oak-framed home which stands the test of time.
What trends are you seeing in home designs and buyer expectations?
In terms of oak frame projects there has definitely been a shift to a perhaps more modern and fresh looking aesthetic with less bare wood visible. This, combined with the use of other natural materials and subtle colours produces natural looking spaces.
Have this year's huge political and economic changes had any effect on the property market?
This year’s political and economic changes have certainly impacted the property market, which for Living Oak, has been a positive one. We have new customers coming on board who were previously considering moving home and instead are choosing to stay put and improve their home. This saves on a range of costs such as stamp duty and adds value to their home, making it more saleable in the future. In some cases, our clients have also doubled the value of their property when adding a beautiful oak-framed extension.
What projects do you have in the pipeline and is there anything coming up that you haven't tried before?
We have a lot of very interesting projects in the pipeline including a client who has 32 acres of land just inside the M25 with some old listed oak-framed barns on it. She has asked us to develop the barns, convert an old squash court, develop the listed house and landscape the main site entrance. She wants the entire project developed under the Living Oak brand as she wants to raise the awareness of the project in order to sell some of the properties.