An Interview with Kenton, Craftsman of the Koto cabins at The Point

Kenton Jones, the master craftsman behind the Koto cabins at The Point, has translated The Point and Koto’s vision into reality with his attention to detail and commitment to sustainability. 

Kenton Jones has been handcrafting premium kitchens, floorings, and furniture since 1977 and was the perfect partner for this project. His dedication to sustainable craftsmanship and exquisite design has helped shape Koto’s architect-designed cabins into an embodiment of environmental conscientiousness and modern luxury living. 

We caught up with Kenton Jones to delve into his story. In this interview, Kenton shares his journey, providing a behind-the-scenes look at a cabin build.

Q: How did you transition from making kitchens and furniture to modular buildings?

Kenton: “Instead of a transition, I see it as a return to our roots where our family business began. My father, a qualified architect, started a small design-build company after leaving university. He designed and built houses, then fitted them out with joinery products produced from our family farm. Eventually, the demand for kitchens and furniture led us to focus solely on joinery. 

Over the years, our business grew and specialised in kitchens, furniture, and flooring, using homegrown and Welsh timber. We even had some notable commissions, including projects for Prince Charles, a kitchen in Barbados, and a floor for Selfridges in London. 

In 2008, we became involved in an exciting prototype housing project with the Welsh school of Architecture and Coed Cymru, which led to the development of the ‘Ty Unnos’ timber frame system. This system allowed us to deliver timber frame packages to self-builders and participate in the IHP project with the Welsh government, which involved delivering a pilot scheme of six new houses. 

This marked the beginning of our journey into modular construction and fitting out houses with products from our joinery shop, just as my father did 40 years ago.”

Q: Could you tell us more about your dedication to using sustainable wood?

Kenton: “In the modern world, sustainability has become a marketing tool, especially in construction. Throughout the years, we have tried to promote and use Welsh and homegrown timber where possible in both the joinery and construction sides of the business. The unique thing about a piece of timber is that it tells a story of where it’s grown, milled, and subsequently turned into something for its final stage.

With our build system, we also felt that using natural materials for wall build-ups was essential to creating healthy living spaces. We use cellulose (recycled newspaper) insulation within the walls and the roof to help the frame breathe and create great thermal mass as well as acoustic benefits.”

Q: You worked on the modular holiday home featured on Channel 5’s Build Your Dream Home on North Uist. What was the most challenging aspect of this project for you?

Kenton: “As a company throughout the years, in whichever sector we were working in, we had a reputation of taking on projects that others said no to or can’t be done; we would always say yes and find a way of delivering. 

Our initial project with Koto involved launching a floating sauna into a lake with a tractor and trailer. Subsequently, we delivered large cabins into mature woodlands, manoeuvring them through tightly cropped canopies with crane installs. 

Theo, one of Koto’s founders, asked if I would be interested in building a house in North Uist, a remote island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The project was challenging due to high-spec finishes (13m smoked Oak veneer kitchen), technical obstacles (3m triple-glazed sliding doors), unpredictable weather, and the remote setting. The Covid pandemic added to the difficulties with material shortages, delays, and soaring prices. However, with the support of my amazing team and a special client, we successfully completed the project, which was a huge relief.

Mark Miller’s comment that it was the most beautiful house he had ever seen made it all worthwhile.”

Q: Moving on to Koto at The Point – what are this project’s most exciting design features, and what are the biggest challenges?

Kenton: “As with all our Koto projects, Koto at The Point cabins have a unique shape and building form that creates amazing spaces internally and externally. Each cabin location is positioned and rotated to have its own unique view of the beautiful Cornish coastal landscape and grounds of The Point. As you enter, the central door position of both cabin types gives a 180-degree vision of the calming living space and the inviting kitchen & dining area that offers the feel of arriving home on your first visit. 

I think this is incredibly special and rare for a holiday home. As for challenges, these are minimal. Once again, we have a great team working with us, from the hauliers and groundworkers to the local crane company. Everyone is on the same page about wanting to deliver the highest quality efficiently, something that is hard to find in modern-day construction.”

Q: These are not ordinary cabins. Can you elaborate on the quality of the build and what makes them different?

Kenton: “Our approach as manufacturers sets us apart. We focus on delivering houses to a Passive standard, bringing these high standards into all our builds. Unlike many cabin builders, we prioritise hidden layers of air tightness, vapour control, and structure breathability. We also take pride in using sustainable materials and overlooked building methods. Our modular construction process ensures that the entire structure is assembled in an internal dry environment, preventing any water ingress into the build layers. Even on rainy install days, our transport waterproof bags keep the roof dry until we can weld it.”

Q: Your modules travel a long distance to Polzeath. The lorries carrying them must navigate a narrow bridge and some challenging and winding Cornish countryside roads. How do you ensure a safe transit?

Kenton: “Once again, you can do great things when surrounded by great people; our hauliers are second to none for ensuring we get a safe delivery to the site. They have vast experience in moving large loads and how to navigate through heavy traffic on narrow roads. They will do the 8-hour drive to the site, and if the weather is looking better that day than the following morning when we should be lifting, they will get their hard hats on and help us do the installation in the evening to get welded up before the next day. Having a team like this that doesn’t have shut off time and will work through the night to get the job done the best way for everyone is paramount to our success.”

Q: Can you take us through the process from when the modules arrive onsite to handover to the client?

Kenton: “We split the delivery into a 3-week stage. The first week is the busiest. On day 1, half of our team installs the timber sole plates, while the rest of the team and the cabin modules are on their way. By 4pm, the cabin is usually onsite with the second team and the crane is setting up. We lift immediately or wait until the next morning, depending on the weather. The services are connected on day two, and module joints are boarded and filled. Day three involves laying the floor and completing the second fix joinery. Day four is for commissioning and final installation work; the second week is for the decorating team. The third week is for final sign-off and inspection from Koto before being handed over.”

Q: Lastly, how long does this process take, from when an order is placed to when an owner can move in?

Kenton: “From confirmation of the final specification of the order, we have a 4-week material procurement period followed by nine weeks of manufacturing and three weeks of installation. In total, it takes 16 Weeks from signing off.”

Kenton’s thoughtful approach and dedication to quality craftsmanship make Koto at The Point a labour of love. Each cabin is meticulously handcrafted and designed for modern living, reflecting Kenton’s passion for creating beautiful, sustainable spaces.

The Point at Polzeath offers an unparalleled lifestyle, with access to leisure facilities, excellent outdoor activities, and stunning natural surroundings. Contact us to find out more or arrange your visit.