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Hi, I'm hoping to get some advice on a project I'm looking to start, I thought I'd start here in the General Building discussion first before moving to specific forums for detail. I am looking to construct and outbuilding, that will be used a Gym mainly, but could be other uses in the future (but not a dwelling). I already have some stables (that have never been stables) that I wish to extend from mostly because I want to convert one part of them into an Office, then build my Gym space off to the side. I have included some rough sketches on my thoughts, plus a photo of the existing building. You can see that I'd like to connect to the original building, which is Block/Render and a slate tile roof. Supporting points: - I'd like to keep the finish outside to Slate roof tiles and a rendered finish to match. - I'm keen for this to be a quick build and will be most likely during Nov-Feb. - Finishing the internals will be done by myself but the main construction of the building I'd like to outsource. - Cost of the build isn't necessary the driver, so if one type of build is 20% more, but 50% quicker, then I'm not that bothered. - My other worry is managing to find trades people for some parts of the build if I go traditional. - I wanted to have a door between the internals of the old build and new. - I don't have any specific requirements for thermal/U values, but naturally I will want it insulated either way so that the gym isn't baltic during the winter, nor a furnace in the summer. - In terms of location, this is in rural wales, but sheltered, so not likely to see extreme weather (other than the usual 364.5 days of rain we get). The questions I'd like some input are: 1. Type of construction - would people follow on with Block etc for easer, or could SIP's or any other modern material be used for the structural build, but still have the finish match on the outside? 2. Is it worth bothering with a modern material for such a small space? 3. Is having a mixed approach even worth it? Ie. Block walls and SIP roof (given the price of timber these days) 4. Roof style, any advantages/disadvantages over having the pitch one way or another etc. Any other thoughts appreciated.

What did you do last weekend? I have mentioned discreetly a few times that I am involved in moving a gym to a new unit. We finally got possession of our new unit on Friday at 5pm. This thread will have some pics and videos, which may or may not be in date order. We open again this afternoon at teatime, at least in part. The two owners are both under 30, which is good to see. I am one of the friends and family who put some finance in 3 years ago. The unit is about 6000sqft, and the gym is called Crossfit Hexis. The location is just off the A38 in near the M1 J28.. The planning and landlord-restoration process has been a saga taking almost a year; that is *after* a search which took about 18 months before that. The place is 1/3 of the front bay of a textile company known as The Sockmine. The history is that they moved some manufacturing to China some years ago, then moved it back as circumstances changed, but that still left 18k sqft of empty space, which has been largely unused since. Now we are a long term tenant (subject to Planners making silly Use Class decisions at some point) they have refurbished it to be 3 units of around 6k sqft, of which we have the first. The refurnished part is known as the Sockmine Business Park - which I quite like. I've learnt a few lessons over the weekend, which I'll point out. (Note to readers: Copyright is asserted and the pics below may not be reused without permission, licenses from individuals etc). A few pics of the unit: The new car park Our new shopfront (with boys toy) Views from opposite ends inside Shopfront from the inside. The wall on the left is new - this is a third of the larger building. Changing and showers - former dye-house judging by the number of coats of paint it required:

This is slightly off topic, but we are technically "self-building". I am involved in moving a (Crossfit) gym into a new unit. This is a photo of the unit pre-fit-out, and we will be having the far end in the pic when a wall has been built across. The left hand side is the front. Dimensions of our unit are 30m front to back by 18m side to side, giving a 5800 sqft rectangular space, with loos, showers, and changing rooms on the right hand side in this view. The eaves height is about 5m, and the apex height is about 9m. The facility will run potentially from 6am to 11pm six days a week plus special events on Sundays. The walls will be painted grey to a height of ~4.5m. The issue that I have got is a pair of normal self-build elephants that have appeared out of thin air at zero notice and are now standing on my foot, and I have a very few days to decide how to deal with it, and there is not very much in the budget - but what is needed will be found. Basic heating is gas and will be staying. Electrics are generally not an issue as Crossfit does not usually involve machines with power supplies. 1 - I need to replace the lights. The cable is staying in place. 2 - I need to run a water supply from the LHS where the new metered supply comes in to the changing rooms and showers. Water heating will be electric at the shower. Lighting For 1, which I think is the more straightforward, it is a case of rapidly sourcing the right LED lights for a gym lit from that height, getting them and probably paying the LLs refurbishment contractors to replace them when they take the old ones down to avoid messing about with big scaffold towers. Plus a need to think about certification if required. Can anyone advise me on light intensity, types and perhaps colour of light (warm or cool white?), and perhaps recommend a source? Water pipes etc For 2, it seems to me that I can run the water supply high or low, exposed or hidden. I need to decide: 2a - Type and size of pipe. I think I want plastic (JG Speedfit?) on a 100m reel, or perhaps 2x50m for ease of handling, so it is in one or two lengths only. 2b - High or low? Hidden or concealed? If I am running it at ground level (and therefore round at least one or two doors depending on which way we go) it will need protecting, perhaps by the type of plastic boxing in which was pointed out by I think @Onoff some time ago for bathrooms. I think that is complicated, and more expensive, but if I did it I would probably also run a pipe and conduit in tandem in the other protected space in the boxing-in product so I can get electricity anywhere later round the walls. I think I prefer to run it at perhaps 3-3.5m to go above doors and nto have things dropped on it, but not be stupidly high for ease of installation, and to leave it exposed so that any leaks or damage become immediately obvious. For wallball exercise spots we would need to install facing boards over the pipe. Not a problem. 2c - Do I need an accumulator or similar? We will be having 2 showers, with potentially one or two extra later, but if we grow to need them we will have more money to spend. Wrap-Up 3 - Have I missed anything? I would welcome comments on any of the above, perhaps especially from known gym users such as @Onoff and @jack or relevant pros. Any advice from anyone would be most welcome. Cheers Ferdinand