Embarking on his first self build project, Norrsken client Charles designed and project managed his three-storey ICF home build, blending modern features with traditional Georgian styling. 

We caught up with him about his project.


 


Project Background


Can you tell us a bit about your self-build project and your overall vision for the home? How did you refine your ideas, and what did collaboration with your architect look like on that?

As a property lawyer with experience in residential developments, I'd witnessed both the rewards and pitfalls of construction firsthand. The experience taught me that I knew I wanted a hands-on approach, so I opted to project manage the build myself, and I had a lot of input in the design of the home, too. 

The initial design was one I sketched out on graph paper with a pencil and then passed to an architectural technician for more detailed drawings and renders. 

Focused on thermal efficiency, I opted for an ICF (insulated concrete form) construction for its superior insulation and dimensional precision compared to timber frames. Interestingly, the technician hadn't worked with ICF before, but their commitment to learning about the project ensured the creation of accurate plans.

Collaboration with an architect played a role in the initial planning stages, but I’ve found that you don't need to engage a full-fledged architect for a well-designed home. Most people really want a simple house – they don’t want funny angles and strange shapes; it makes the build more expensive and actually ultimately less energy efficient. Simplicity is good for most people’s purposes, and definitely from an energy efficiency perspective.




Georgian influence: the front of the building takes stylistic inspiration from the historic homes in the neighbourhood. 

Design & Vision

What aesthetic vision or style guided the project's design?

The project's design was guided by two key influences: 
We had to consider the historical buildings around us in designing the house. The Grade II-listed house next door needed to remain ‘primary residence’, as it were, in the road. We also have some 17th-century stables on the property, and we wanted to echo some of that character in the overall design. So, the front facade takes its cues from the Georgian style of the neighbourhood. 

But for the back of the house, we went for something completely different. We opted for a contemporary look to really take advantage of the view. We have decorative glazing bars on our windows on two sides of the building, but we wanted to have clear sightlines across the rear of the property to maximise the views with no obstructions. 



Our final design is a contrast between historical reference and contemporary functionality. 




"Simplicity is good for most people’s purposes, and definitely from an energy efficiency perspective."



Project Images


The existing bungalow on the plot was demolished.
  Countryside views at the rear of the site.
  The steeply sloping site was landscaped to construct a third, lower floor at the rear of the property.


ICF blocks arriving onsite. 

ICF structures allow for precision and efficiency. 


The day of the concrete pour: at this point, all ducting and services had to be in place in the ICF structure. 



"There’s a perception – a misconception, really, that PVC is good enough, and that alu-clad timber is only for Passive House or equivalent projects."

Energy Efficiency Feature #1


Function: Triple glazing provides superior thermal insulation, reducing heat transfer through windows. Aluminum cladding on the exterior enhances weather resistance and durability.

Benefit: Significantly reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling the house.




ICF construction allows millimetre-precise dimensions, so windows could be specified with minimum tolerances.



Finding the right windows

What were your key priorities when it came to window selection for your new build?

When choosing windows for my self-build project, three key priorities guided my decision-making:

Energy Efficiency: 
This was a major focus for the entire build. I was initially considering a Passive House standard build and, although I opted not to go down this route, finding the design brief rather too restrictive for my purposes, I still wanted to achieve a very thermally efficient home and follow the principles of Passive House.

Airtightness: 
Given that I planned to use an MVHR (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery) system, achieving a high level of airtightness was crucial. Triple glazing, with its superior thermal insulation, plays a significant role in minimizing air leakage through the windows. It was a big part of achieving the sort of standard of build we wanted. 

Budget: 
While energy efficiency was paramount, staying within budget was also important. 


What initially drew you to Norrsken when searching for a window supplier? What stood out to you about the products?

During my initial research into Passive House, I encountered a Passive House consultant, who recommended Norrsken windows.

I actually initially hesitated to consider Norrsken because I thought the premium product would be out of our budget range, so it was a pleasant surprise to get a quote that was more affordable than we were expecting – not even as much as some double glazing suppliers were quoting to do the corner-to-corner detail in the living area. 

People don’t think about alu-clad timber triple glazed windows and triple glazing. There’s a perception – a misconception, really, that PVC is good enough, and that alu-clad timber is only for Passive House or equivalent projects. I would have expected to pay double the final cost for my windows.

"Getting superior construction and great thermal performance without breaking the bank, along with the exceptional service I received, made Norrsken windows a standout choice for windows."




The front facade of the house is Georgian-inspired, taking its cues from the surrounding houses. 



The Window Specification

Can you talk us through the specific window styles and configurations you chose for your home?

We selected several different window and door styles and configurations to balance the look we wanted with energy efficiency considerations and, of course, the budget. On the (contemporary) rear façade, to get the most out of our surroundings, we used:

Sliding Doors : At just over 3m wide, the S315A sliding doors in our communal family space offer clear views across the rear of our property.

Corner Window : A structurally open corner with a fixed glass unit creates a seamless visual connection to the outdoors. We opted for the S307A profile door and sidelights over the bifold doors we had originally planned for two reasons: 
  • Cost-effectiveness - triple-glazed French doors were cheaper even when compared to double-glazed bifold alternatives.
  • Weather-tightness concerns on the exposed facade, with less risk of air leakage compared to bifold doors with multiple moving parts.
French doors : We chose the S309A glazed door combined with a Juliet balcony on the third floor of the house. These offer floor-to-ceiling light and open up the master bedroom to the countryside views.


Indoor-outdoor flow: a structurally open corner with Norrsken French doors and sidelights brings the feel of the outdoors into the family's living area. 


In the rest of the house we chose outward opening windows, as well as glazed, stable (partially glazed) and panel entrance doors. Fixed (non-opening) windows dominate the design for several reasons:

  • Aesthetics: Fixed units offer a sleeker, more minimal look with less bulky frames compared to opening windows. We chose the P31T in a fixed profile for our curved window on the front façade to fit the traditional feel we were going for, and the P31A (an alu-clad model of the same window profile).
  • Energy Efficiency: With fewer seals and potential air leakage areas, fixed windows minimize air leakage for superior thermal performance.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: These units are generally 30-45% cheaper than opening versions and kept the overall window budget under control.
  • Ventilation: With an MVHR system providing controlled ventilation, a high number of opening windows was deemed unnecessary.




Energy Efficiency vs Style

How did you balance your desired aesthetics with the need for energy efficiency when making your choices?

It’s important to emphasise to people considering their own self-build project that, if you are clever with the design, you don’t need to bust your budget. We balanced the cost of MHVR with windows, using more fixed windows to lower the cost and still get both the look and performance that we wanted. 

From a design perspective, we found Passive House too restrictive – for example, it limited the amount of glazing on the south façade, and meant incorporating shading into every south-facing window. Using the PHPP and having a designer all added to the cost. So that was a compromise we made, both for design and, in part, for cost reasons. 

I was generally aware of wanting to be energy-efficient – I made lots of trips to the NSBRC – but I didn’t want to pursue energy efficiency ‘for its own sake’, as it were. Things had to make financial sense, too. For example, we have three-phase electricity and solar. Our solar panels are in-roof, sitting flush with the roof and replacing some of the tiles. This makes both financial and energy-saving sense: the upfront cost of the solar was worth it because we both saved money on the roof tiles we’d have had instead, and we generate more than enough solar electricity to cover our needs in this four bedroom house. 

"If you are clever with the design, you don't need to bust your budget."

Energy Efficiency Feature #2



Function: Continuously replaces stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, recovering heat from outgoing air to pre-heat incoming air. 

Benefits: 
  • Up to 90% heat recovery - minimizes energy loss during ventilation.
  • Individually controlled units ensure efficient ventilation in specific zones.
  • Decentralized system offers flexible installation and easier maintenance compared to centralized MVHR systems – units are individually serviceable and replaceable
  • Cost-effective solution for new builds. While decentralised MVHR is sometimes perceived as a retrofit product as a wall-mounted system with no central ducting system, it’s cheaper than centralised MVHR.

Planning & Installation: 
Planned all ducting and spaces into the ICF before the pour. 
Flexible installation possibilities: in or beside the window reveal


"Being on-site all the time made a huge difference."

Energy Efficiency Feature #3




Function: Emit radiant heat directly warming objects and people in the room, unlike traditional systems that heat the air first. 

Benefits: 
Efficiently heats occupied areas, reducing wasted energy.
Integrates well with the home's solar power generation, so heating costs are covered by solar. 
Responds quickly, providing instant heat when needed.
Cost-effective to install and operate, especially as a backup heating source.

Charles says:
 "I knew we wouldn’t need much heating, if any [because of the fabric efficiency of the home], and that’s been the case... We’ve only had four of them on.. it seemed a waste of money to install whole-house underfloor heating that requires a day to heat up and a day to cool down once you’ve switched it off.”




Cost & efficiency: In-roof solar panels save cost on both roof tiles and electricity usage. 

On the other hand, some of the electricity we produce is currently technically wasted: we didn’t opt for battery storage because it wasn’t financially justifiable for us. The initial cost was too high to be recouped over the short to medium term in energy savings. (I’m waiting for V2H bi-directional charging to become more standard!)

So: it’s important to choose energy-efficient products and investments that are also within budget. Through thoughtful design and strategic product selection, it is possible to achieve an energy efficient self-build and get the look you want. Prioritizing cost-effectiveness doesn't have to compromise the quality or functionality of your project.


How would you describe the overall experience of working with Norrsken on your project?

From the very beginning, they showed a real interest in making sure the windows worked perfectly for my project. They even went above and beyond by designing custom window thresholds that fit seamlessly with the bespoke cavity closers I had created. This ensured the windows were airtight and the installation process went smoothly.

The entire Norrsken team was incredibly supportive throughout the whole process. Tim, the salesperson, was very knowledgeable and helpful. Nigel, who was also involved, truly went the extra mile to ensure I got the desired result with custom thresholds designed so that the windows and cavity closers would fit perfectly. Finally, Richard, the installer, was also very dedicated to making sure everything was done to the highest standard.


Are there any challenges you faced during your build?

There were definitely some challenges we faced on the build. You know how it goes – the builder calls the architect, a detail in the plans is unclear, and suddenly you're stuck with a problem that nobody can quite solve.

Thankfully, being on-site all the time made a huge difference. I could jump in and clarify things before misunderstandings spiralled or an on-the-spot ‘this will do’ solution was created. It's not about micromanaging, of course. You can't watch every step of the process. But by being present for key discussions, raising any issues clearly, and then stepping back, I could ensure everyone was on the same page. That way, problems didn't snowball and delays were kept to a minimum.






Key Takeaways

What advice would you offer to others considering a similar project?

Be there. 
This might be the most crucial piece of advice. You simply can't outsource your presence on-site. While a project manager can be helpful, they can't replicate the level of detail and oversight a homeowner can provide. Being there allows you to clarify ambiguities, address issues promptly, and make sure you get the details you actually want.

Do lots of research.
 The more you understand every aspect of the project, the better equipped you'll be to make informed decisions and anticipate potential challenges. My research not only covered materials and construction methods but also helped me choose reliable contractors like Norrsken who shared my commitment to quality.

Understand that there will be issues.
No project, no matter how meticulously planned, is perfect. There will be bumps along the road. The key is to embrace these as learning experiences and focus on finding solutions. 




Energy Efficiency Feature #4


Function: These create a continuous thermal insulation layer in the cavity between the inner and outer walls of the ICF construction. 

Benefit: Minimizes thermal bridging and heat loss through the walls, improving overall building envelope performance.

Energy Efficiency Feature #5

Airtight tape around windows

Function: Creates a near-airtight seal around window frames, minimizing air leakage. 

Benefit: Prevents drafts and uncontrolled air exchange, improving building envelope performance and energy efficiency.


Case Study: Live! Interview

Charles is available as a mentor to assist those undertaking self build projects. 

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed by the task ahead of you or simply want an independent person on the end of the phone at important junctures in the project, you can contact Charles on 07799 0006770 or at selfbuildmentor@gmail.com. 

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