Kevin and I were watching Grand Designs’ Kent Eco Arch episode with a little bit more interest than usual because it was billed as a “sustainable” build. But what caught our eye wasn’t the green aspects (which were hardly discussed anyway), it was the amazing design. The most striking feature of this build was a parabolic arch, made of thousands of locally hand-made clay tiles stuck together with plaster of paris, which sets very quickly. Called a timbrel vault (link is really worth following!), it’s an old-school lo-fi way to create amazing structures. Developed in the 14th century in the Mediterranean, it’s also called a Catalan vault, and the technique produces some of the most spectacular vaults known to man.
Richard and Sophie Hawkes’ vault is simple compared to some historic vaults, but it’s sweeping elegance is striking.
The vault is designed to have gravel and earth spread over the top of it, in the central channel, so that it will grow up to be a living roof. The grasses and flowers will help insulate the house and, I’m sure, please the local bird population.
Inside the vault is stunning. The stills here don’t do justice to the moving images in the documentary, which I’m sure themselves are a pale imitation of reality. The ceiling, with it’s warm clay glow, is beautiful. It gives a sense of age and history to what is otherwise a very modern design.
They used the same technique to build their staircase too – creating half a parabolic vault which then supports the stairs, each made of tiles and topped with a wooden tread. The Low Tech Magazine’s article has a diagram showing how it works.
Much as I love Grand Designs, rarely do I see a build that totally changes my thoughts about what I want. I have been pretty set on the idea of a green oak frame house now for a long time, but suddenly I’m looking at this timbrel vaulting and thinking how amazing it would be to have that for a ceiling. I’m not sure if one could combine oak frames and timbrel vaulting – it would take a pretty amazing architect to come up with a design that didn’t look like a hotchpotch.
Timbrel vaults, and vaults with a similar look, are something I’ve admired for a long time. I’ve always wondered how on earth they stay up, and that sense of the ceiling floating above you in a very Douglas Adamsian manner, (i.e. in exactly the same way that a brick doesn’t), is awe inspiring. Just take a look at all the photos on the architect’s Tumblr site – gorgeous. Is it a game changer? I don’t know yet!
“prednisone stopped taking side effects” Prednisone Long Term Effects difference between lexapro and celexa
accutane timeline, Buy Generic Cialis symptoms of zoloft working
lipitor drug cost New Drug Levitra “prednisone stopped taking side effects”
difference between lexapro and celexa Cipro Indications accutane timeline,
symptoms of zoloft working Cialis Soft Tab lipitor drug cost
“prednisone stopped taking side effects” Propecia Canada Cheap difference between lexapro and celexa
accutane timeline, Zoloft Abuse symptoms of zoloft working
lipitor drug cost Zoloft Alcohol Liver “prednisone stopped taking side effects”
difference between lexapro and celexa Cialis Lawyers accutane timeline,
symptoms of zoloft working Symptoms Of Zoloft lipitor drug cost
“prednisone stopped taking side effects” Nexium And Gall Bladder Disease difference between lexapro and celexa
accutane timeline, Order Levitra symptoms of zoloft working
lipitor drug cost Lexapro Side Affects “prednisone stopped taking side effects”
difference between lexapro and celexa Cialis No Prescription accutane timeline,
symptoms of zoloft working Prednisone Tablets lipitor drug cost
“prednisone stopped taking side effects” Lasix Dosage difference between lexapro and celexa
accutane timeline, Lexapro Medication symptoms of zoloft working
lipitor drug cost Accutane Reviews “prednisone stopped taking side effects”
difference between lexapro and celexa Who Should Not Take Nexium accutane timeline,
symptoms of zoloft working Accutane Side Effects lipitor drug cost
“prednisone stopped taking side effects” Lasix No Prescription difference between lexapro and celexa
accutane timeline, Cialis Viagra symptoms of zoloft working
lipitor drug cost Prednisone Poison Oak “prednisone stopped taking side effects”
difference between lexapro and celexa Rx Cialis Low Price accutane timeline,
symptoms of zoloft working Side Effects Of Lipitor lipitor drug cost
“prednisone stopped taking side effects” Clomid From Canada difference between lexapro and celexa
accutane timeline, Cialis Murah Klang symptoms of zoloft working
lipitor drug cost Stopping Zoloft “prednisone stopped taking side effects”
difference between lexapro and celexa Prednisone Drug accutane timeline,
symptoms of zoloft working Buy Cheap Cialis lipitor drug cost
“prednisone stopped taking side effects” Cialis Faq difference between lexapro and celexa
accutane timeline, Clomid And Twins symptoms of zoloft working
lipitor drug cost Lexapro Alcohol “prednisone stopped taking side effects”
difference between lexapro and celexa Zoloft Withdrawel Affects accutane timeline,
symptoms of zoloft working Generic Cialis Cheap lipitor drug cost
“prednisone stopped taking side effects” Prednisone Withdrawal difference between lexapro and celexa
accutane timeline, Lipitor Instructions Side Effects symptoms of zoloft working
lipitor drug cost Generic Cialis Tadalafil “prednisone stopped taking side effects”
difference between lexapro and celexa Buying Cialis accutane timeline,
symptoms of zoloft working Zoloft Withdrawl lipitor drug cost
“prednisone stopped taking side effects” Lipitor And Isoprenoids difference between lexapro and celexa
accutane timeline, Discount Levitra symptoms of zoloft working
lipitor drug cost Buy Cialis Online “prednisone stopped taking side effects”
difference between lexapro and celexa Accutane Attorneys San Diego accutane timeline,
symptoms of zoloft working Lipitor Muscle Weakness lipitor drug cost
“prednisone stopped taking side effects” Liquid Cialis difference between lexapro and celexa
accutane timeline, What Is Prednisone Used For symptoms of zoloft working