After getting almost all my design together with lots of help from the forums, (Design thread here: http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewt ... =1&t=21057), I've actually started construction!

So this thread will document my progress.
So I started with a concrete slab that I had laid in my garden at a time when I wanted to do a brick built studio. After working through my design and comparing costs though, I scrapped that plan and switched to timber frame. I also decided that the original slab just wasn't gonna cut it and wanted it bigger!

So my first job with the help of my father (semi-retired builder) has been to extend that slab.
I've dug and filled new foundations and today we finished blocking and bricking up to damp proof height.
Next job is to back fill to ground level and fill the new area with hardcore, then insulation and membrane ready to pour the concrete. I've raised the height of the damp proof by about 50mm so we will pour a smooth new continuous layer of concrete over the existing concrete, for a nice level floor.
I also decided against the engineering bricks I used on the original slab as I'm going to be shot-firing the timber frame sole plates directly into the bricks, so switched to concrete bricks. I'll render from ground level to dpc height and paint it to make it look the same all around