Croft Wootton Construction built this tall, eco-friendly home in Carpenters Lane, a quaint, semi-rural street a short drive from Hastings. Constructed partly of rammed earth, the elegant barn-style home was designed to provide optimal thermal mass while blending seamlessly into the surrounding environment.
We began construction in August 2022 and handed over the keys in December 2023.
Colorbond Nailstrip Cladding
The home boasts a Colorbond nailstrip cladding façade for a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. A favourite among our team, this stylish modern product is a joy to work with.
We fold each section down to the correct custom size so our team can make slight width adjustments as we work. That technique allows us to reduce waste, resulting in cost-effective and environmentally friendly outcomes. It also gives us better control when approaching windows and corners, resulting in a neater, more uniform finish.
Burnished Finish Concrete Floors
The home features burnished finish concrete floors throughout.
Unlike your standard polished concrete slab, the burnished slab must be completed in two phases. The labour-intensive process requires concreters to mechanically polish the freshly poured slab to create a lovely, subtle sheen. Later, towards the end of the build, we polish the slab again to create a shiny, eye-catching finish.
As it’s susceptible to inclement weather, one major challenge of constructing a burnished slab is keeping it sheltered throughout the build. Protecting the site from the elements became even more critical because we had erected a rammed earth wall through the middle of the slab.
To keep the site dry, we installed over-slab protection and laid ply sheets on the slab for machinery to drive onto.
5.3-Metre Internal Rammed Earth Wall
Running through the centre of the home is a 5.3-metre rammed earth wall. Constructed with a dense, high-specific-heat-capacity mixture of soil and water, this tall interior wall offers superb thermal mass.
Rammed earth absorbs heat during the hot daylight hours and releases it at night, helping the home remain at a pleasant, consistent temperature and reducing utility bills.
Building with Colorbond Nailstrip Cladding
Suitable for wall and ceiling cladding, Colorbond Nailstrip is a simple, no-fuss solution with a slick, modern aesthetic.
Nailstrip panels are designed to “snap” into place, making for a quick and efficient installation. No specialist equipment, clips, or seam locks are required. However, professional installation is essential to avoid problems arising from over-tightening the screws. Post-installation maintenance is minimal, and the long-lasting material naturally expands and contracts.
On the downside, Nailbond can cost more than other cladding options and isn’t great for projects with substantial curves or tapering.
Building with Burnished-Finish Concrete Floors
As no heavy-duty grinding is required, burnished concrete is a cost-effective solution for residential floors. The hard, low-maintenance surface is resistant to wear, stains, and spills. A final satin sheen creates its signature glowing finish.
But burnished concrete is pretty tricky to install. The slab must be meticulously cleaned, and a skilled concreter is needed to achieve a perfect pour and finish.
Like other types of concrete, the surface is cold and hard underfoot and will amplify sound. A few thoughtfully-placed rugs make a big difference.
