Contemporary Cotswold New Build
The Rationel AuraPlus is offically marketed as a modern product; perfect for projects aiming for a contemporary design. We feel like this definition can be much wider. The AuraPlus is a flush composite window with clean right-angles and minimalist styling. As a result, we think the product works in almost any setting.
For this project in particular, you can see that the choice of traditional building materials show a desire for a more in-keeping newbuild home. Yet, the low-gloss aluminium of the modern AuraPlus works perfectly.
Perhaps the main feature area of the home: what appears to be a set of windows spanning the whole height of the house, and overall wider than it is tall. A glazed area such as this is often mistaken for curtain-walling – a very expensive solution. In reality, there is a steel beam separating the two floors: essential to provide structural support. But, this beam is clearly hidden. Our solution was to provide a length of aluminium, powder-coated to match the windows and installed flush with the window frames themselves. We think this has produced an elegant result.
A similar flush design is displayed in the 90 degree corner post. Rationel manufacture their own posts so that they can be sure the finished result of a bay or corner window will look perfectly in-line. Using a specifically-designed item with the same depth as the windows either side ensures that more complex areas come together seamlessly.
Continuing the theme of seamlessly coming together, a main front door to a home can make or break an aesthetic. A contrasting stand-out colour could be used to make the entrance area a true feature. Or, in this case, extending the soft Pebble Grey colour to the main entrance door maintains the home’s overall design without any unnecessary additions. We think Rationel panel doors especially are fantastic value for money: fantastic choice and quality with Passivhaus-suitable U-values.
The lift and slide door, also in the Rationel AuraPlus, presents a smooth sliding solution. A sliding door this size without a lifting mechanism can often be difficult to open due to its own weight – this is the main advantage of a Rationel lift-and-slide. Furthermore, the long handle can be turned at any point when sliding the door to place the sliding section back down and hold it in position.
