Making cold colder

Comfort is the enemy

With planning permission and building warrant approval in hand, work can finally begin more meaningfully on the Small Mission Hall.

However, before anything can start, I need to empty the building of everything – that also includes me! Got to be honest, this is probably going to be my least favourite task.

I knew this day was coming. Hence, I’ve been living mostly out of boxes and bags to simplify the process. Everything now needs to be packed and moved out to let the actual work begin.

This is why I had previously made the bus shelter and Bier store more usable all those months ago. These stores (plus my camper vans!) are going to have to become part store, part home whilst the construction work commences. A kind of quirky method to my madness!

Empty endings

It took a while (plus a bit of extra barn storage), but the building was slowly emptied out until only my Hobo Hotel was left.

After all the time spent sleeping in my little tent, it was time to finally pack it away (for now, at least). A strangely poignant moment. I guess this is the moment that things really begin to change.

Plan of action

In the construction phase of the project, I’m focusing on three main priorities.

1. Creating my design concept with the layout of the building.
2. Fitting the latest building standards level of insulation throughout.
3. Connecting basic utility services of running water and drainage to the building.

If I can get this all sorted, I might end up with something most people might consider a usable, habitable building, even if not cosmetically finished.

That’s not an issue, mind you, I’ve survived sleeping on a mat in a tent within the building without heating or running water, so even in an unfinished state, it would seem palatial to me!

Insulation investment

Currently, the cold, strong Hebridean winds simply whistle under and through the floorboards, windows and door. As well as being a requirement, investing in insulation is vital.

Its interesting to see just how much the insulation requirements have increased over time for the amount required in a building. Back in the day, it was say 25-50mm thickness, now it’s more like 150-200mm!

Heat Loss in a Building

• Up to 25% through the roof.
• Up to 35% through outside walls.
• Up to 25% through doors and windows.
• Up to 15% through ground floors.

My existing suspended timber floor has to be replaced with a new, insulated concrete floor. The rotten-framed, single pane galzing will get replaced by high-performance double glazing.

The level of insulation specified should mean heating requirements (and bills) will be minimal. This will make a massive difference to the warmth and efficiency of the building moving forward.

If my limited project funds allow, I would also love to also add some skylights to the roof. Adding both views/light to the mezzanine area whilst increasing the overall feeling of space in the building.

Top to Bottom

I’m no builder, but I will try to do any simple grunt work where possible. Before the proper builders can make a start, there are things I can and will need to do.

The original timber V-lining ceiling needs to come down, the floorboards need to come up, and then all the timber floor joists need to be removed.

When I initially removed over a tonne of plasterboard from the building, I left the timber V-lining on the ceiling. This was to notionally help try and keep an extra degree or two of heat within the building.

Those days are long gone. It all needs to be taken down now.

Along with over a 100+ years of accumulated silt-like grey dust, there was also a huge old disused Starling’s nest over the central ventilation holes in the ceiling.

As is my way, where possible, with the removed usable sections of the V-lining, I will try to repurpose them in some future aspect of the project. A bed, storage or kitchen units, not sure at this stage, but that can be a future challenge…

Kindness of strangers

I had rapidly run out of storage space. Fortunately, someone very kindly offered to collect and help store the lengths of V-lining for me.

Without various people’s help and encouragement, there would be no way I could have got this far. The kindness of strangers on the Isle of Lewis has been amazing!

Forced focus

Well, a good start has been made. I’ve managed to make the building colder and less habitable by taking down all the ceiling timber V-lining panelling.

Sometimes, things get worse first. Much, much worse!

Stay tuned, more big updates coming shortly…