Keystone’s innovate bow lintel solution unlocks sweeping panoramic views on a self-build house in West Wales.

This meticulously planned self-build house, nestled in the picturesque coastal village of Borth in West Wales, that provides its owner with a breathtaking vantage point. An awe-inspiring 13.7metre curved-span panoramic window is a key feature of the upper floor, providing a captivating view of the surroundings. Despite being initially told that a lintel solution was not feasible, Keystone Lintels stepped in to make the impossible possible.

Recognising the significance of personalised solutions, Keystone’s technical team, backed by 25 years of expertise, successfully engineered a structural steel solution that not only accommodated the curved structure but also handled the unusual loading conditions, bringing the client’s vision to life.

The house occupies a prominent location on the cliff overlooking a beautiful stretch of beach below. By adopting a self-build approach, the client was able to create a bespoke home, tailor-made to individual lifestyle requirements. This unique dwelling demonstrates the importance of delivering a bespoke service within the lintel industry. Keystone needed to accommodate the impressive features of the property, while also considering the unusual loading conditions, which ultimately provided a means to achieve the personalised design.

The house required bespoke structural steel solutions to accommodate the fluctuation of internal and external curves above each opening. The curved perimeter of the living room needed a continuous lintel to achieve the 13.7metre span opening. Keystone was delighted to work with the client to find a solution to make this exciting design a reality.

An innovative solution
Keystone’s dedicated team of engineers worked closely with the client to develop the bespoke solution necessary for the curved opening. This included a site visit to ensure all measurements were accurate with minimal tolerance. The company provided a combination of straight and bespoke bow lintels, ensuring the radius specific to the opening. For both buildability and logistical purposes, the 13.7metre span special lintel needed to be delivered in five separate components and fixed together on-site via a bolt-up connection at each end of the lintel.

Keystone’s intelligent design fitted and aligned perfectly with the contours of the building, facilitating the continual curved opening. Keystone was available throughout the process to offer comprehensive technical support. It also provided a fast and efficient delivery service, ensuring that the bespoke lintels were available in days, not weeks.

The client self-builder Lee Jenkins said, “I was unsure if the vision I had for this project was even possible, but Keystone’s team of engineers offered a creative and effective solution, ensuring an incredibly personalised touch to the building.”

Bow lintels, such as the one found on this project, are truly striking. They are arched on plan instead of elevation, and can often be seen on many living room bay designs. While they achieve a unique, cohesive aesthetic capable of accommodating curved structures, they are engineered to withstand unusual loading conditions, ensuring quality is not compromised.

Collaborative and bespoke service
For designers seeking creative freedom, Keystone Lintels offers a range of specialised products and services to cater to any project’s needs. The company prides itself on innovation and providing products and services with distinctive character. To maintain its position as an industry leader, Keystone strives to meet the bespoke visions of architects and specifiers by creating buildings that boast unique beauty and design.

Over three decades, Keystone Lintels has crafted special lintels that allow architects and designers to incorporate architectural elements, intricate forms, and accent details that reflect true individuality. With a broad product range to spark creative visions and a customised service delivering robust engineering and unparalleled quality at each step, Keystone Lintels makes the exceptional attainable.

In unison with its special range of lintels, Keystone provides a host of complementary services that include free scheduling and specification, customised design, and on-hand technical expertise. The comprehensive range of bespoke services exemplifies Keystone’s unwavering commitment to its products and customers and serves to highlight why it is a market leader.

Contact Details
For more information, please visit the Keystone Lintels website.