Month: April 2012

As mentioned in previous progress reports, I've been working a fire-guard to go around the flue that runs through the second bedroom. The purpose of the guard is to stop anyone (small children) and anything (paper, clothing etc.) from accidentally coming into contact with the flue when a fire is burning and the flue is hot and thus getting burnt or setting alight. I couldn't find an off-the-shelf (or hearth) solution that fit the bill so decided to make my own from perforated sheet metal, aluminium 'L' shaped strips and a wooden base. The parts are all attached together using…

...finishing touches...continued (slowly)... Hhmmm, wondering exactly what I did achieve in March... Painting the door frames: I made a start on this back in February and some slow progress in March. I've chosen a simple white painted door lining, frame and architrave that I think looks good partnered with untreated, natural oak doors. I used an 'eco' soya oil paint (I think the brand is eco2, but it's not entirely clear from the packaging) for the first trial doorframe - the one between the kitchen and the utility room - but I wasn't happy with the finish. In fairness the…

The efficient, shiny world of construction in 1923... Our engineers are healthy and virile, active and useful, balanced and happy in their work, our architects are disillusioned and unemployed, boastful or peevish. This is because there will soon be nothing more for them to do. We longer have the money to erect historical souvenirs. At the same time everyone needs to wash! Our engineers provide for these things and so they will be our builders. Le Corbusier, Towards a New Architecture, 1923. ...architects can still be "boastful or peevish", but judging by the majority of what I see our engineers…

With the National Planning Policy Framework still fresh and being ruminated over, one theme that is never far from thought is sustainable development. With the term now enshrined in planning law, what does it mean? The NPPF document opens with this: International and national bodies have set out broad principles of sustainable development. Resolution 42/187 of the United Nations General Assembly defined sustainable development as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs*. The UK Sustainable Development Strategy Securing the Future set out five ‘guiding principles’ of sustainable development: living…

While reading up on the response of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) I came across this quotation that is particularly pertinent to the current state of the economy, planning climate and the challenges faced by rural communities: "It is a matter for serious thought that at periods of financial stress it is always beauty that is sacrificed upon the altar of expediency." Sir Patrick Abercrombie, co-founder of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. Sir Patrick Abercrombie seems a fascinating character, however there isn't much information about him available on-line,…