Softwood

Design and detailing

We can:

offer you guidance and support
ensure that responses to any of your queries are unbiased and in the best interest of the build
work with drawings created by either architects or clients
create easy to understand 3d models that enable clients to visualise, amend and adjust aspects of the frame design as it develops
help you avoid the need to engage with costly 3D software by offering you a weblink to view and share your model in Sketchup
share our engineering contacts, who are experienced in designing softwood timber frame buildings, helping to avoid costly mistakes
incorporate any necessary structural steelwork
contribute to the value engineering of your project
accurately quantify all structural and non-structural materials including timber, sheathing, cladding, plasterboard to avoid unnecessary and costly over purchasing.
supply lists of all metal fixtures that are required for frame erection

If your self-build timber frame project demands a softwood solution, Cullen Timber Design can use our experience in this area to help you. Softwood builds offer an economic and time efficient way of creating versatile buildings and structures, particularly single or two storey extensions to existing timber or masonry buildings. Softwood timber frame is particularly suited to adding a second storey to what might currently be a single storey masonry building. The aesthetic achieved using softwood can match the current look of a building or offer an interesting contrast to enhance your home.

We can:

Introduce you to a variety of timber component manufacturers, who can provide you with a fully CNC cut set of components which can be erected quickly and efficiently on site, not unlike a ‘giant Airfix kit’.
Respond to your preference with regard to metal web floor joists and gang nail roof trusses
Liaise with relevant suppliers of your choice
Enable your site workers to access a 3D model to fully appreciate the frame erection sequence and process
Provide A3 laminated drawings for use on site

Design management

Dollemore

A largely softwood house on the Isle of Wight which has employed decorative and structural green oak to provide interest.

Christie

A balloon frame house for a Finnish client which utilised a glulam primary roof structure as well as innovative tapered dovetail connections between the studs and the bottom plate which facilitated thei stick built, self build project in the UK.

Orchard House

A relatively straightforward two storey house using an open panelised system and gang-nail roof trusses.

Pivot House

A spectacular and complex design which required very careful detailing. Each rafter differs from its neighbour very slightly to create a warped roof surface. Manufacture was made easier by having all the components cut on a Computer Numerically Controlled machine to achieve very high degrees of acuracy.