It is a show home for Gladman’s revolutionary new building methods, yet also a family home. It is an angular piece of modern architecture in a conservative, suburban setting. And it is a self-build of exceptional quality that took just 65 days to complete, from laying the foundations to screwing in the final lightbulb.

“When you look at traditional new houses, you always have to compromise,” says Gladman. “Our intention was to create a living space that suits the occupier.”

Gladman, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the construction industry, had another aim, too: “I believe modern construction can be better. When we came to design the property, we thought about how we, and our friends, would want to live and went from there.”

The inspiration behind Gladman’s building system was the post and beam frame pioneered by Walter Segal, the architect and self-build enthusiast. “I looked at his system and the Huf Haus [a German pre-fabricated housebuilder] system, which has big beams bolted together,” says Gladman. “I thought there had to be a simpler way that results in a clean line and isn’t difficult to clad over. We worked with engineer Peter Ross from [the engineering company] Arup. It took over five months to come up with the concept.”

The heart of the building system is the glulam (glued laminated timber) post and beam frame, which has a unique, single type of simple connector, similar to but much stronger than those in self-assembly furniture.

“Once we worked out how to get the strongest possible frame and the connection, we tested the frame to destruction from a building regulations point of view,” says Gladman. “Finally, Arup approved the design and we were ready to get started on the build.”

First, the couple had to find a suitable plot. They came across the perfect location in Danbury, a small town in Essex, about 20 minutes’ drive from Chelmsford. “It’s a good-sized plot in a good location,” says Medhurst.

The plot, which cost £250,000, is in a suburban area, between a church and a small cottage. The idea of such a bold property getting planning permission in such a location must have been daunting, but the couple have nothing but praise for the planners.

“It took about eight months to get planning for the house,” says Gladman. “We were lucky that the planners were keen to see sustainable development. They got behind the idea of the build system. In fact, they stated that the first designs weren’t bold enough. They were constructive and helpful.”

Gladman managed the build, which cost a total of £300,000. Having designed the system, it was his responsibility to see it through to completion. He worked with two carpenters and a labourer to put up the whole exterior. “These guys loved the work,” he says. “It was a new system of building to them but they took to it quickly.”

Before the frame could be put into place and tested in situ for the first time, the foundations had to be laid. “There were very simple, solid but minimal foundations. We would dig a cubic-metre hole in the ground, fill it with concrete and put in a steel beam,” explains Gladman. “We would then make a plinth up with a slightly stronger mix and that’s what the post rested on. We used a laser level to level them all in, so everything is spot on. The site is then covered with reject stone to keep the area nice and dry.”

The glulam post and beam frame, made from Scottish larch and manufactured in Lincoln, was erected using scaffolding and telescopic fork-lifts. The frame was first assembled on the ground and lifted onto the foundation pads; the connection beams were bolted onto it; and the next part of the frame was bolted onto it; finally another connection beam was bolted on, making sure the frame was rigid.

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