Matt Robinson with Seymour Green

visits...

Matt Robinson – Designing Sustainable and Beautiful Buildings

Date of Visit:              2/1/14

Location:                   South Helford, Nr Helston, Cornwall TR12

Contact No.:              01326 221 339

email:                       mat@build-art.co.uk

website:                    www.build-art.co.uk

Matt's involvement in design and building is from a landscape background.  He has connections with Green Build Hub at the Eden Project (http://greenbuildhub.info) and Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust (http://csbt.org.uk).

Landscape is his priority when it comes to building, supported ideally by using locally sourced materials and environmentally responsible services.  For example when it comes to sourcing timber, Matt would rather use local sawmills where he has established a long relationship with an individual than rely on an abstract system of certification, like the Forest Stewardship Council (http://www.fsc-uk.org).  He would far prefer to support local people and local businesses in his landscape projects (i.e. rural Cornwall and Devon) than international trade.  Using and working with thatching is another example, seeing as it would support the local fields.

The usual format is for the client to approach Matt, and then set the tone, which could be  by stating a wish for 'a greener house'.  There are many options to enable this sustainably.  Matt's style would differ from for example, 'Passive House' (http://www.passivhaus.org.uk), although he supports the principles of attaining a low ecological footprint, he feels this approach is far more processed, often using complex operating systems compared to the sustainable solution that Matt can offer.  The current focus on thick insulation has led to trends in controlling the environment without normal variability, and he postulates that this is perhaps out of synchrony with normal seasonal change.  Matt proposes the notion that the fabric of a house can influence behaviour of it occupants, and will ensure that it is design that is favoured over building physics for his sustainable building projects.

In essence, he favours low technology with high aesthetics.  Techniques that were traditionally once the common standard in the building industry have become less common now favouring those of mass production and technology at lower economic cost.  As environmental concern rises, the search for a 'greener' way of doing things does so with it.  Cob walls and thatching are just two such examples.  However, a sustainable build to this specification can be labour intensive.  It is therefore important that the expectation and cost implications of clients seeking a 'green home' building project utilising Matt's expertise are addressed. 

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has a Code for Sustainable Homes (http://www.breeam.org/page.jsp?id=86) as a recommended standard that provides a framework for quantifying sustainability of a building.  To this effect, Matt is also qualified assessor.

He works predominantly with building structure and materials, with emphasis on wood and earth where possible.  The materials used are what he terms vernacular, being natural, beautiful and simple.  The utilisation of light is also a current interest and demonstrated in his design and craftsmanship.  He speaks of the phenomenology of building, comparing the visual impact versus the 'feel' of a building.  Taking a cob wall as an example, the evidence of human workings on the cob exterior can be clearly seen.  However, being around it can also involve other non-visual senses.  To 'arch beauty in a minimal way'.

He is currently involved with at least 15 projects ranging from community projects, private extensions, greenfield site homes and the fascinating interfaith centre (www.dorkemmyn.org.uk).  This charitable project is seeking funding for construction at the County's Penmount Crematorium site 2 miles north of Truro, Cornwall.  The plea here is to get involved!

A walk around his workplace and surrounds reveals a cornucopia of craftsmanship and completed projects.  Utilisation of local materials, fine workmanship, attention to detail and sustainable methodology is evident.

Sinuous slated cob wall with row of pear trees.

Archway through, brick and cob.

Thatched and cob outbuilding utilising timber from 4 local fields.  Interaction with the landscape in aiming to attain a perspective of function.  For example the curves of a tree fitting in with a design plan.

Diamond slate valley as a way of doing the 45 degree junction.  This would be lead or glass fibre today.

Interest is in the markings on cob walls as evidence of low technology, demonstrating character in the construction.

17year old conical scantled slate roof using Trevillet Quarry slate, Tintagel, Cornwall.  Slates get smaller to top, and have a random width bewteen 11” to 6”. There is much more methodology to evaluate this!!

The Bridge.  6 years project from collection of materials with build time of 18 months.  Timber is West Country larch and oak.  The larch is from the Boconnoc Estate, Lostwithiel, cut using a water driven turbine saw mill form the leat. 

The curves are oak, as are the handrails.  There is glue laminated larch, and also the addition roof potentially doubling the life span of bridge.  The stays are salvaged from local yacht rigging, made from stainless steel.  The side panel is a stiff structure, and involved engineering input.  

In search of beauty, compromise sometimes necessary, especially when foundations are concerned.

Pentagonal building, with few limits to the scalability in size that Matt can make possible. 

Lesson in how to resolve polygons, adding in a lantern effect, and the foundations behind the concept of further work in radial building and later experience. 

Reflective diffuse light from the lantern was a revelation.

A landscape window, understanding in an unrefined state.  Materials that can slightly move twist or warp, in contrast to machined processed ones eg chipboard.

'Dor Kemmyn', An Interfaith Centre for Cornwall. This geometric design is based on radius proportions utilising polygonal concepts for the structure.  The bridge design is incorporated.  The elliptical shape in the roof is based on the vesica piscis.  This has mystical origins.  It will form part of the scantle slate lantern roof.  The side lantern design will utilise the diffuse lighting effect earlier, with the seasonal and diurnal changes in the path of sunlight .  The two columns are retained in the middle.

Cob bricks will be made onsite that will assist the community and faiths to become part of the building.  Estimate of making 6000 bricks, and there will be a touring mobile brick unit through Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust, that aims to visit schools amongst other venues.  The mix is a third of each of clay, sand and stone moulded into the frame depicted here.  Matt's impression that earth and thatch are powerful materials, and will be demonstrated by keeping some of the walls open to view the construct.  It is proposed to be a 3 year funding mission, that aims in the process to aid cross cultural understanding and promote a forum to hear people's different life stories.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Paul Bright from Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust and Matt Robinson for enabling this visit.

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