What happened next?
When I set about writing the above entitled articles, the idea was that they would be a continuous story of how the work was progressing, and how this was changing our lives. As with most of these things personal circumstances changed and situations dictated that for the year to eighteen months after the third article a lot of time had to be spent away from France and, therefore, the project. As Robbie Burns said “the best laid plans of mice and men,,,,,,,,,,oft gan a glee” Well, at the very least our plans gan a gleed big time. My original thoughts with these articles was to make them into a diary of events that people could follow, if they wished, the progress of the barn as it developed. It has now become a retrospective of how and what we did .
Before I go any further a review of the first three articles, especially the first one, reveals a fact that needs up-dating. In October 2007, a comprehensive review of the planning regulations led to the implementation of new rules regarding planning and certificate d’urbanism requisites. This has simplified the procedures and given a set of parameters that allow people to understand what they can, and cannot do. It also gives a further guidance as to what is needed for all applications in a form that is fairly easy to understand. The requirement to use an Architects services for any development over 170 square meters of SHON still exists but the range of things the individual can do has been enhanced. In essence it’s simplified the jargon. (I think).
After we had received planning approval we set about laying out for the floor. The existing floor was 65cm higher from corner to corner diagonally. With this in mind a 20cm margin of concrete was cast all round the internal walls to finished floor height and a 25cm line was cast down the centre of the floor to this height. 1 meter cubes of concrete were laid as footings for the beam supports, to alleviate the “stiletto heel” effect. This gave us a frame of concrete to work within and 40 tonnes of gravel was barrowed in, flattened and levelled. The floor was then made up using a damp proof membrane, 65mm polystyrene and trellis reinforcing, followed by 100 mm of concrete. All done by hand. I had brought Julia (my better half) a concrete mixer for her birthday !! I think I overstressed the importance of keeping it clean as at the end of everyday it was washed and dried. Even today I am convinced we could use it to make cake mixture.
The next stage was to produce the openings in the building for windows and doors. This process involves props, temporary supports, walls dangling overhead and the construction of lintels. Through choice I would never, ever do these myself again. Builders call these part of the “gros-ouevre” and are exactly that. Heavy, back breaking and not to be undertaken lightly. My advice get quotes from professionals and let them do them. They can also take away the many tonnes of rubble generated. It just goes on and on building up the bigger the hole in the wall becomes !!!! On the subject of giving advice. This is the way I did my conversion. I cannot say it is the best way and any advice is given in good faith.
(extracts of this article have previously appeared on Frenchentree)