Architect keeps a roof over his family's head with Hyspan reports Carter Holt Harvey  Christchurch architect Harvey Duncan, of Ian Cumberpatch Architects achieved a complicated residential extension, incorporating Hyspan structural beams into an existing roof while adding a new roof at the same time. All this while maintaining the roof's pitch and allowing the clients, his in-laws, to continue to use their living space throughout construction. Hyspan was a new discovery for Duncan but is now a permanent member of the family.
Ian Cumberpatch Architects undertake a variety of projects including commercial, industrial, hospitality, educational and medical and specialise in quality residential work. This project was a renovation of what had been a three-bedroom holiday home, extending the living space and transforming the house into a residential home. However, this particular job was a challenge and not just because the owners were also the architect's in-laws. The 1970's Queenstown home boasted a low sloping 15 degree pitch roof typical of the era, the roof requiring extension to allow for renovation and extension of the home's living area while maintaining the character and structure of this roof. With its exposed timber rafters, ridge beams and angle, the roof demanded a structural system allowing for a new sloping ceiling and visual appearance of supporting beams. Harvey Duncan did his research, looking into timber and steel options. He found glue laminated beams more expensive, macrocarpa would most likely twist and warp and steel would be more difficult to connect to and place in position. Only LVL, the Hyspan roof beams had the strength and performance for this application. The beams were ideal for roof extension of an already existing structure, a common requirement for many Australian and New Zealand homes. For this project, one major element that swayed Duncan toward the LVL was the ease of use of the material on site. The beams were lightweight but could also be nailed, bolted, cut and shaped on site and as needed. This ease of workmanship meant adaptability. The other parameter of the job was that the living space be maintained. The Hyspan structural system, cutting holes in the existing room and simply putting the beams in place, allowed for continued use of the room. There was no need for the use of a crane either due to the lighter weight of the beams. Duncan had wanted to avoid the use of cranes because it would have been difficult accessing the site. Again, the basic method of construction that Hyspan allows meant the crane was not necessary. The result? The in-laws could continue to live under the roof and the final extension is "fantastic" says Duncan. "I love timber," he says, "It was nice to work with timber." In fact, four members of the family built the framework for the extension in a few weeks over Christmas. The quick turnaround from order to delivery, another feature of the "Carter Holt Harvey" service, also helped bring the project in within time and cost. According to Duncan, the material arrived from the North Island to him in the South within a week. All in all the construction was relatively straightforward and everyone was very impressed with the result. And most importantly the in-laws. Only one year ago Duncan explains he was not even aware of Hyspan and some of the newer LVL products from 'Carter Holt Harvey'. However, when he discovered Hyspan and compared it with cut timber, he could immediately see how useful it would be. With larger, deeper sections, the Hyspan was inherently more stable, with less of the movement of cut timber. It was also more cost effective as it would be easier to work with on-site. Hyspan is now an automatic choice for Duncan and he has selected it for several up and coming projects. "I selected Hyspan because you can consider greater spans than natural timber allows," explains Duncan, "I am about to use Hyspan LVL in my own house." In more ways than one, it seems Hyspan and LVL have become permanent features in Harvey Duncan's life. 
For further information contact:
Carter Holt Harvey
phone: 1300 658 828
fax: 02 9468 5890
web: www.chhpanels.com.au
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