When architectural designer Daniel Rowland, owner of Studio Fuse Design, set out to build a nature-filled family home, he knew that his bold vision depended on finding the right flooring solution. His search led him to Lazenby who, with a focus on sustainability and pushing boundaries, has been a market leader in decorative concrete for more than 30 years. “We’ve seen polished concrete soar in popularity recently,” explains Lazenby Sales Manager, Ben Young. “Whether it’s a Victorian refurb or a designer eco-home, polished concrete has come a long way from its brutalist roots.”
The Water Shed
As the founder of an award-winning architectural practice dedicated to holistic and biophilic projects, Daniel was undaunted by the prospect of rebuilding a tired 1930s West Sussex home with a water-logged garden. He opted to demolish the old house and rebuild The Water Shed using hybrid timber and steel frame construction, with Lazenby’s polished concrete running throughout the ground floor and outside.
Daniel was drawn to the dappled textures of Lazenby’s flagship product along with its subtle variation throughout the day. “The choice of floor was an incredibly important decision,” he says. “In the end, it felt natural to go with concrete.”
Diving In
The focal point of the scheme is an innovative naturally-filtered swimming pool that was once a stagnant drainage pond. “Our biggest challenges were creating the ambitious floating concrete plinth, which extends over the two-metre deep pool, and completing the installation while it was empty,” explains Ben
“We had to develop a whole new method of shuttering,” says Daniel. “You only get one hit at a concrete floor, so you’ve got to get it right.”
“Timing was everything,” adds Ben. “We needed to pull the shuttering off at exactly the right time in order to hand-trowel the surface to get the desired finish.” The result is a beautiful floating concrete plinth that Daniel and his family can use to dive into their pool.
Bench impressed
The gravity-defying theme continues inside the building with a series of benches, shelves and hearths that organically emerge from the floor or appear to hover above it. “We have a lovely floating breakfast bench along with a shelf for our wood burner,” says Daniel. “It just goes to show how versatile polished concrete is.”
Lazenby used another shuttering system to create this impressive effect. The contractor cast a discreet concrete upstand with an exposed steel re-bar tied into the steel forming the bench, creating a large overhang and the illusion of suspension.
A Grand Design
The Water Shed provides a bold vision for the future of polished concrete and its role in sustainable new-builds. “Our project is all about integrating architecture into the landscape and nature,” says Daniel. And, with a feature on Grand Designs, The Water Shed is already making waves. “I had Kevin McCloud saying it’s the best concrete floor he’s ever seen,” says the designer.
“To have someone like McCloud give our polished concrete his seal of approval is something that makes our team incredibly proud,” adds Ben. “Daniel and his family overcame so many challenges but they stuck with it and created something truly amazing. We’re thrilled to have been a part of their journey.”
For more information visit the Lazenby website.
