i-Build june 21 by Red Hut Media Ltd

FOCUS:

SELF-BUILDS

RENOVATIONS

CONVERSIONS

DIY

EXTENSIONS

COVER STORY

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

J U N E 21 - I S S U E 83

www.crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Sally Storey from John Cullen Lighting offers her top tips on choosing a lighting scheme for your outdoor spaces and explains how to add layers and effects to create a wellbalanced design.

CASE STUDIES

INSPIRATION

MATERIALS

ADVISORY

SECOND-TIME SELF-BUILDER

HOW MANY PLANTS IS TOO MANY PLANTS?

GOT THE IDEA BUT NO GEAR?

CAN HELP TO BUILD HELPYOU?

Meet the Irish self-build family who have just finished their second house-building project

Six of our favourite faux plants to add to your ever-evolving indoor plant collection

Some of the tools and equipment that you’ll need to complete your self-build project

How the Governmentbacked Help to Build scheme will benefit aspiring self-builders

NEW Stovax Studio Air 2 Freestanding with White decorative trim

Fire Your Imagination

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ditor's Welcome

EDITORIAL: Rebecca Kemp

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Cover story:

Sally Storey, Creative Director at John Cullen Lighting, offers her top tips on choosing a lighting scheme for your outdoor spaces.

I-BUILD JUNE 2021

-Build readers are in for a feast for the eyes this month. In this edition, we bring you not one, not two, but three star self-builders and home renovators! From luxury living in the heart of London town to a complete building overhaul amidst the rolling hills of Lancashire and concluding with a stunning self-build in Ireland’s picturesque Donegal, this month we’ve talked to architects as well as firstand second-time self-builders. Beginning in London’s affluent Brook Green, we talk to Amrit Marway, Architecture for London’s Associate Director and Project Architect for a super-stylish, ultra-minimal home extension. Here, Amrit briefly explains the renovation process, and we look at some before and after shots of the two-storey, double-height addition. Turn to page 12 to find out more. Elsewhere, on page 24, Lancashirebased Joanna Fletcher gives us the grand tour of her Scandi/industrial self-build. Having come across the site 20 years ago, little did Joanna know that she’d purchase her coveted plot and build her very own family home.

Last but by no means least, Emily Bonar goes into detail about her new house. When Emily and her husband, Joseph, completed their first self-build project back in 2011, they thought it would be their last. However, flash forward 10 years, and the Bonars have just completed their second self-build project. Flick to page 18 to see Emily’s brand-new self-build home in all its glory. I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, if you’re coming to the end of your self-build and would like us to feature your home as inspiration for other budding house-builders, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. Alternatively, if you’re about to embark on your self-build journey and would be keen for us to document your progress, do get in contact.

Rebecca Rebecca Kemp Editor

@ibuildmagazine

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ditor's Picks

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ÖÖD HOUSES

June 2021 ADVISORY

INSPIRATION

Desired Designs:

Modern Folk Flexible and down to earth, the modern folk trend offers huge potential. If you’re a fan of vibrant yet modest colours and bohemian patterns, this could be the look that your home is missing. Basking in Botanicals Introducing plants into your home creates the ultimate sanctuary and injects a splash of colour in places where you may have issues deciding on a palette.

Viewpoint

Urban Sanctuary

i-Scape: Lighting

Rural Retreat

In this article, Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin, explains how the Government-backed Help to Build scheme will benefit self-builders and offers his professional advice on building your very own dream property. Sally Storey, Creative Director at John Cullen Lighting, offers her top tips on choosing a lighting scheme for your outdoor spaces. Here, she explains how to add layers and effects to create a balanced design.

Style Guide:

Ecclesiastical Elegance Here, we’ve collated a few ecclesiasticalinspired designs to complement both heritage buildings and modern properties. I-DEAS

i-Build: Pergolas & Canopies

Are you thinking of adding a pergola to your garden? Read Jacksons Fencing’s comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision on choosing the right design for your outdoor space.

CASE STUDIES

MATERIALS

Tools & Equipment

Self-build projects incorporate a range of elements, one of which being the equipment and machinery involved at various stages. Here, Tiger Plant Hire provides insight into some of the equipment required when building a home.

Designed by architectural and design studio ‘Architecture for London’, this refurbishment and two-storey extension in London’s affluent Brook Green has created generous volume for living and entertaining. When Emily Bonar completed her first selfbuild project back in 2011, she thought it would be her last. However, flash forward 10 years, and she and her family have just completed their second self-build project.

Impressive Innovation

This month, we talk to first-time self-builder and self-proclaimed Scandi/ industrial design addict, Joanna Fletcher, to find out more about her build journey. NEWS/PRODUCT GUIDE

Product Guide

i-Build rounds up the latest innovative products in the marketplace, designed with your self-build in mind.

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

DESIRED DESIGNS

esired esigns

©ANTIPODREAM

MODERN FOLK Flexible and down to earth, the modern folk interior trend offers huge potential. If you’re a fan of vibrant yet modest colours and bohemian patterns and textures, this could be the look that your home is missing.

here are a few key ingredients for a successful folkinspired interior. These include pattern, texture and colour – and lots of the latter! Warm shades – such as blood red, sunset orange and rapeseed yellow – and vibrant tones – like royal purple, cobalt blue and magenta – are all staples of the trend. Typically, these shades are combined to create heavily-embroidered textiles and other fabrics with a hand-made feel – such as crocheted or knitted

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

YOURS TO BUY

throws. Other common elements include felt scatter cushions, hand-woven statement rugs, tasselled accessories and, of course, dried flowers. Patterned, eccentric ceramics are another popular statement in folk-themed interiors – from coasters to beautiful kitchen china. The beauty of opting for this trend is the individuality on offer. Often when purchasing pieces that slot into this interior scheme, no two items are the same, meaning your interior will truly be one of a kind.

1. Resin coaster 10cm, Gisela Graham London, £10.99

6. Cushion Transylvanian Folk Embroidery, Mindthegap, £189

2. Blue ceramic pablo bottle, Heavenly Homes and Gardens, £22

7. Kate Black folk art flag cushion, The Shop Floor Project, £95

3. Recycled chindi folk rug, Homescapes Online, £29.99

8. Colourful folk art print cushion cover, Kapelki Art, £26

4. Bolga fan – Maui, Lola & Mawu, £28

9. Wall art print Transylvanian roots Folk Tiles, Mindthegap, £144

5. Wandering Folk wild romance cushion, Antipodream, £35

10. Heritage wallpaper – three-roll set, Lime Lace, £175

DESIRED DESIGNS

OUR BRAND PICK

he Shop Floor Project

The Shop Floor Project is an awardwinning online shop, founded in 2006 by Denise Allan and Samantha Allan (a mother-and-daughter team), with the aim to design, develop and source collections of the highest craftsmanship from makers and traditional manufacturers from all around the world – with an emphasis on British makers.

04 YOURS TO BUY

1. Raphael Balme leaping animals cushion cover, £95 2. Katrin Moye flower garland candle holder, £235 3. Ellen Hayward – black king candle holder, £120 4. Katrin Moye jug, £375

HOT PRODUCT

Send in the florals No folk interior scheme is complete without florals. In fact, if you’re keen on the trend but afraid to commit, this could be your entry ticket. You can easily interchange floral cushions and blankets with other accessories or have them as part of your scheme on more of a seasonal basis.

YOURS TO BUY

1. Lada Poppy red luxury linen, Olenka Design, £84 2. Dakota armchair Transylvanian roots Szekely Folk, Mindthegap, £1500

3. Wandering Folk emerald forest cushion, Antipodream, £35 4. Wandering Folk native wildflower picnic rug, Antipodream, £139

TOP TIP

Create a pareddown look? Simply introduce small, colourful and interesting accessories, such as the listed Bolga fan, into blank spaces. If you’re looking for a more bohemian look, hang and drape textiles – like the opposite picnic blanket – from wooden hooks next to your front door. Not only will this add a pop of colour and pattern to your entrance, but it’ll look neat and certainly worthy of your Instagram grid! I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

DESIRED DESIGNS

esired esigns BASKING IN BOTANICALS

Introducing faux and real plants into your home creates the ultimate sanctuary and injects a splash of colour in places where you may have issues deciding on a palette.

Hanging basket

Fabulous ferns

30cm faux maidenhair

pot, you can house this

Kinfolk Decor’s 105 x

Supplied with a plastic

fern hanging plant is

fabulous faux fern in

similar to a real hanging

your favourite planter or

fern. Beautiful and full in

even a woven basket for

volume, it looks great in

a more boho look. Either

a hanging plant hanger,

way, this artificial fern

and would look perfect

plant will bring a new

dangling from the ceiling

lease of life to your space. www.dowsingand

next to a mirror.

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Simple and stylish

Leave a trail

Holder is a simple

artificial trailing ivy plant

The Saturno Vase

Dowsing and Reynolds’

and stylish hanging

is incredibly lifelike.

frame for plants. This

With its trailing leaves

clever design takes

only 60cm in length, it’s

the form of a 3D circle

perfectly sized for any

supporting a ceramic

room, meaning it’s easy to

flower pot, creating a

transform your space into

look not too dissimilar

a garden of Eden.

www.dowsingand

to the rings around the

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planet Saturn.

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Atouch of greenery

Tropical species

trailing string of pearls

of a tropical plant to

Add this faux potted

Bring the lushness

to a plant display for

your styling with an

length and texture, or

artificial philo potted

place it on a shelf and

house plant. With its

let its leafy tendrils

large broad textured

drape. What’s great

leaves, it appears as

about this stunning faux

if it’s from a tropical

plant is that it looks

rainforest straight into

great all year round.

your home, but without

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I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

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I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

DESIRED DESIGNS

01 02 ECCLESIASTICAL ELEGANCE

Whether you’re converting a Grade I or Grade II Listed church into a contemporary home, or you’re simply a fan of ecclesiastical interiors, architecture and decorative details, there are plenty of ways to complement existing architectural features and incorporate designs into buildings that are lacking character. Here, we’ve collated a few ecclesiastical-inspired ideas to complement both heritage buildings and modern properties.

05 06 1. Gothic vinyl floor tiles – www.zazous.co.uk 2. Green Flutterby stained glass film – www.purlfrost.com 3. Indoor-outdoor Gothic arched mirror – www.coxandcox.co.uk

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

4. Window surrounds in Gothic style – www.redwoodstone.com 5. Geometric Victorian floor tiles – www.originalstyle.com 6. Quatrefoil outdoor mirror – www.coxandcox.co.uk

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LIGHTING URBAN SANCTUARY & ELECTRICALS

Luxury, minimal living Designed by award-winning London-based architectural and design studio ‘Architecture for London’, this refurbishment and two-storey extension in London’s affluent Brook Green has created a generous volume for living and entertaining. The lower ground floor previously suffered from low ceiling heights, insufficient natural light and convoluted access from the floor above. I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

URBAN SANCTUARY

timber stair now descends through a newlycreated, double-height space to form a dramatic entrance. The entire lower ground floor is finished in end-grain parquet blocks. Full-width timber-framed sliding doors lead to the garden, which is newly-landscaped in Portland Roach stone. A master suite has been created over the first floor, with a generous dressing room and en-suite bathroom. Full-height doors and cupboards celebrate the high ceilings at this level. Douglas fir joinery is used throughout the house to create a consistent colour palette, yet with subtly contrasting timber cut and grain varieties.

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

URBAN SANCTUARY

Fact file: Project architects: Amrit Marway, Matt McAleese Structural engineer: CAR Art: kaijabulbrook Location: Brook Green, London, W14

Here, we have a brief chat with Architecture for London’s Associate Director and Project Architect, Amrit Marway, about the renovation.

RK: What inspired the homeowners to take on this project? AM: They were a growing family

and actually had two children during the design and build process! The pair valued a modern layout for the future of flexible family life. This was their first renovation project. However, the family really enjoyed the process, so they worked with Architecture for London on a flat refurbishment following the house completion.

RK: How and why did they choose this property to renovate? AM: One of the homeowners was

born in the Victorian 1880 house and inherited it when their mother downsized. It really was perfect timing for them.

RK: How did you combine the original building’s style with the extension? AM: The extension uses a modern

BEFORE IMAGES

palette of materials, yet by combining them with the historic parts of the home, the two sit perfectly together. To finalise the design brief, the family went through a ‘design session’ process with Ben Ridley, Director of Architecture for London. This really helped them get their ideas down on paper.

RK: Finally, talk us through the design and build process. AM: It took six months to gain

the required permission for the project. The homeowners worked with us from start to finish. They felt it was very important to keep the architect involved to ensure a high-quality finished building.

www.architectureforlondon.com I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

URBAN SANCTUARY

FRONT

BEFORE

REAR

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

SECTION

BEFORE

AFTER

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

LIGHTING TOOLS & EQUIPMENT & ELECTRICALS

The equipment needed for a self-build Self-builds can be a great option for those looking to tackle a project head-on and create a home where customisation lies at the heart of it all. Building a home with this approach is not only a financially-sound solution but it also enables those that are involved to have complete control over the look, style and structure of what is likely to be a dream home.

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

elf-build projects incorporate a range of elements, one of which being the equipment and machinery involved at various stages. Tiger Plant Hire, a machinery plant hire and expert, based in Swindon, provides its insight into some of the equipment required when building a new home.

Getting the groundwork right

One of the initial stages in a self-build process is clearing the required area and getting the groundwork right, ready for the foundations. Excavators are the ideal equipment for preparing the groundwork, and the space and surface area required will determine the size of the excavator needed for the job. Small excavators and micro diggers are advantageous for the ability to fit into tighter spaces and are popular for digging foundations; however, these machines are limited by their digging power and bucket size. For projects where the accessible space is less of an issue, a larger excavator in the region of 2.5 tonnes or above will be beneficial in completing the work in a more efficient timeframe. Although, it is important to bear in mind that when involving larger excavators, an experienced operator should be employed. Despite an operator incorporating additional costs, in doing this, time and resources will be saved through efficiency and professional expertise. Additional criteria to comprehend, not only for excavators but most plant hire and machinery, is being covered by the appropriate insurance. Ultimately, when in possession of plant hire equipment, you are liable for unforeseen accidents or thefts. In light of this, plant insurance tends to be straightforward to arrange, and most insurance companies will be able to provide a quote.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

Telehandlers and trussmaster JIBs

Moving beyond the foundations and groundworks, telehandlers are a strong and sturdy piece of machinery used in construction to lift heavy materials to a specific height. Telehandlers are becoming increasingly popular as part of building projects due to the flexible telescopic boom and the versatile attachments that are available including cabins, buckets, forklifts and trussmaster JIBs. Telehandlers combined with trussmasters are extremely strong, being capable of lifting up to 300kg and tend to enable a project to go ahead without the need of hiring a crane.

More general equipment expected for a self-build

Transporting waste and excess materials

To complement your excavator, dumpers can be worthwhile machinery to include when large quantities of debris need shifting away from the initial groundworks. Similar to excavators, selecting the right size of equipment will save costs and increase the efficiency of the selfbuild. Featuring thick tread tyres and fourwheel drive systems, dumpers are capable of transporting materials even in the toughest of conditions. In addition to this, dumpers are typically available in a wide range of sizes, from one-tonne through to 10-tonne models, so no matter the size of your self-build, there is sure to be a suitable dumper for your needs.

Rollers for level and compact groundworks

A further piece of plant machinery to incorporate into a self-build is a roller. Capable of producing level and compact groundworks, rollers are ideal when it comes to landscaping, driveways and setting an aligned foundation ready to be built upon. These can be an advantageous piece of equipment to use towards the end of a project when the finishing touches to the surrounding areas of the property are required to be completed.

Self-build projects incorporate alternative equipment aside from the more heavy-duty machinery required during the initial stages. What’s more, much of this can be accessed from plant hire companies. Below are some of the other equipment that is likely to be needed at various points during the project: Cement mixers – compact, portable and straightforward to use. Cement mixers are versatile and capable of generating decent amounts of concrete well and at speed. For projects of a smaller scale, tip-up electric concrete mixers can be a suitable choice, whereas bigger projects would benefit from large dieselpowered mixers. Portable heating and dehumidifiers – keep internal areas dry and warm all year round with dryers and dehumidifiers. These can be particularly advantageous for removing moisture from the air, enabling rooms to dry completely and efficiently. Trailer hire – this can be an extremely handy hire to make, enabling you to transport increased amounts of goods and materials to and from the self-build site. Trailers are typically available in a variety of sizes and can be simply attached to the vehicle of your choice.

www.tigerplant.co.uk

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

RURAL RETREAT

The Self-Build Diaries:

Joseph and Emily Bonar

When Joseph and Emily Bonar completed their first self-build project back in 2011, they thought it would be their last. However, flash forward 10 years, and the Bonars have just completed another project. Having well and truly caught the self-build bug, two-time self-builder Emily talks to us about her family’s latest project and explains what made them want to do it all over again.

@ emilyindonegal Follow this self-build story on Instagram

Get three or four quotes for everything. Try to stick to your plan and don’t get led astray by beautiful pictures online. Try to do some of the work yourself and be creative with inexpensive materials. Work out an approximate monthly timeline and make sure you allow enough time to order things. I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

RK: What inspired you to embark on your own project rather than buying? EB: I definitely think my inspiration came from my dad. He used to work in the building trade. I suppose my love for building stems from him. When I was young, we’d go for Sunday drives, looking at houses, and he would show us the different ones he had built. I suppose it’s always the dream to create your own home, and we were just blessed that we got to do this twice. Our first self-build journey started when we broke ground in August 2011. We were gifted the site from my father-in-law. At the time, we never had any intention of building again. That was going to be our family home, and we worked extremely hard to complete the build in just a little over two years. We lived in a mobile house for four years and saved as much as possible. We had family and friends all roped in to help at different stages, and we even went on a tiling course and tiled the house ourselves. In 2018, we bit the bullet and decided to build again. This time it was our dream location – by the beach, a site that we talked about a million times over. The plot had an old dwelling, which was my mother-in-law’s old family home.

RK: What was the vision and inspiration behind your new home? EB: I suppose we were very clear from

the offset that we wanted to make the most of the views. We wanted a large apex window to maximise the stunning sea and mountain views to the front of the house. We also overlook a golf course at the back of the house, so it was important to focus there.

RK: How did you approach finalising your design brief? EB: The design process was a lot smoother than

I thought it would be. We had images of what we liked, what we wanted and took it from there. A friend helped us with our drawings and planning application process. We discussed our first selfbuild and what we would change. We told him what we wanted and gave him some pictures. He went off and worked his magic. From there, we probably altered the drawings five times until we were completely satisfied with our plan. We would sit at night with colouring pencils and markers, crossing out walls, changing layouts and also comparing room dimensions to rooms that we were in. The whole process, from the start of discussions to submitting our application, was three months.

RK: Did your project need to cater for any special requirements? EB: As our plot was an SAC (Special Area of

Conservation), we had to get an Environmental Impact Statement as part of our planning.

RK: How and why did you choose this plot? EB: We lived in a mobile home for four years beside this site and had endless conversations about it. Joseph’s uncle owned the plot, and he was delighted to see it been given a new lease of life, with the added bonus of remaining in the family. The location is fantastic, and the views are just spectacular. To us, it was the perfect plot.

RK: How long did it take to gain planning permission? EB: We submitted our planning in October 2018,

and further information was requested at the end of November 2018. We then resubmitted in July 2019 with the Environmental Impact Statement, a traffic study and made some minor alterations to improve the balance and appearance of our house. Overall, planning took 11 months, and we received notification of approval in September 2019.

RURAL RETREAT

RK: Were there any challenging aspects to the project and build? EB: Our two biggest challenges were

the weather in February 2020 and the lockdown in March. February was an exceptionally wet and windy month. There seemed to be one storm after another, and we had no builders on site. Then the weather picked up and worked recommenced. We had not long started on the roof when the first lockdown began. We had to close the gate to our site, and it was closed for 10 weeks.

RK: Did you project manage the build yourself? EB: I project managed both self-builds and absolutely loved it. With our first self-build, I kept a record book of all my contacts, quotes, suppliers, prices, monies spent and jobs that had to be done and when. This was like my building bible. Project managing and being a mum, wife and working full-time was hard work and stressful, but so worth it. I knew I would have to devote a significant amount of time and energy to the second build.

However, having my record book and building up a great relationship with some fantastic tradespeole from our first build made the second build so much easier to manage. It was interesting to compare prices from 2011 and 2020, although prices increasing wasn’t in our favour. I was fully confident in managing the build, organising trades, pricing and ordering materials, negotiating quotes, checking in on site every day with trades and making some onthe-spot decisions. I made sure to liaise daily with my tradespeople and to keep everyone in the loop of what was happening. Our blockwork started in January 2020, and we moved into our forever home in November 2020. As one of my tradesmen said: “If he wanted something on site for Thursday, I’d have it there for Tuesday.”

RK: How did you approach material and product specification? EB: The one area that we never

compromised on was insulation. It was essential to us with the two self-builds that we had well-insulated houses.

We made sure that we did our research, asked all the questions that we needed to and listened to the professionals. Concerning materials, I would ask the trades to make a list of what they required. From there, I would contact several suppliers and get quotes, negotiate prices and order.

RK: How long did the project take? EB: From the blockwork starting in

January 2020 to when we moved into the house in November 2020 was 11 months. Within this time, we lost four weeks to bad weather and 10 weeks to lockdown. Overall our building project was approximately nine months, which we are still surprised by. My tradespeople still comment on how smoothly everything fell into place. I originally predicted that we would be doing well if we were in the new house in 12 months, giving myself 18 months as a worst-case scenario. Looking back, I almost feel like the first lockdown benefitted us, as it gave us time to design our kitchen, organise windows and doors and make some decisions internally. I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

RURAL RETREAT

I also got quotes from tradespeople for jobs further down the line. I designed a feature wall for our open-plan living room, and I had time to spend on this. We also had time to think about the different room layouts. Once we came out of lockdown, we were full throttle, and I could concentrate on tiles, sanitaryware and the stairs.

RK: Did you remain within the original budget? EB: Keeping a log of monies spent

for both builds helped me keep track of our finances. Building our first self-build with no mortgage set us up financially for our second build. We had the funds from the sale of our house then for our second build. We came in €10,000 over our original budget, but this was by choice. We made some decisions during the build and decided to spend the extra monies – for example, triple glazing windows and quartz countertops.

RK: Please provide an overview of the finished space. EB: Inside, we wanted to kick it up

a notch, and our main focus point was our apex window. The layout was well-thought-out and organised, so we made the best use of every space. The vaulted ceiling in the open-plan living area added a little ‘wow factor’ to the large window. We wanted to create a spacious, warm feel in our home that was unique and personal. Our house needed to be practical and functional while remaining modern and bright. The bespoke feature wall brings warmth and cosiness, with soft lighting and an electric fire. We opted for tiles throughout the ground floor and added some patterned rugs for a bit of texture. The U-shaped kitchen layout with our island in the middle makes everything functional. We decided on light grey kitchen units with a dusk grey island. The white diamond quartz countertop brightens up the whole kitchen and adds a little sparkle. Meanwhile, our custom boot room at the back door provides ideal storage for outdoor attire and includes a seating area for removing shoes. Upstairs, we opted for carpets in the bedrooms to add a little cosiness. We created playful bedrooms for the children with their bespoke bunk beds while also focusing on storage. We went with modern designs and simple geometric shapes with our bathrooms and en-suites, keeping all sanitaryware white and going bold with our paint colour. I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

RURAL RETREAT

We are still working on our interiors, and some rooms are unfinished. We are looking forward to adding more furniture, textures and fabrics to our home to continue the flow of our personality throughout the house.

RK: How does the property respond to its surrounding landscape? EB: We considered if our build would be compatible with the surrounding landscape and existing buildings before planning. We discussed landscaping ideas and are trying to keep the character of the plot alive with the old stone walls.

RK: What’s your favourite thing about your new home? EB: It’s so hard to choose! I would

have to say the apex window (because of the views) and the feature wall. I had an idea for a feature wall back when we started our blockwork and began to draw out designs to suit the space. It was a collaboration between tradespeople. The carpenter had to build the frame; it was then plasterboarded, then the tiler applied the stoneeffect tiles on the back wall, and the electrician installed the spotlights. The plasterer then plastered it, and I painted it. I suppose I felt a great sense of accomplishment when I saw it completed; it was no longer a vision in my head.

RK: Would you do the whole thing again? EB: I enjoy being stuck in the middle of a building project so much. We have built our forever home, but I wouldn’t rule out another little project down the line if the opportunity arose.

RK: What advice would you offer to anyone looking to self-build? EB: Firstly start a record book and

work with trusted and recommended tradespeople. Word of mouth is critical, and don’t be afraid to look at previous jobs. Think about your interiors early on and your layout. Research your heating system and trust the professionals. Get three or four quotes for everything. Try to stick to your plan and don’t get led astray by beautiful pictures online. Try to do some of the work yourself and be creative with inexpensive materials. Work out an approximate monthly timeline and make sure you allow enough time to order things, e.g. windows and doors, concrete stairs, kitchen etc. Have clear deadlines when you want jobs completed, liaise with your trades daily and be visible on site regularly.

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

VIEWPOINT

Viewpoint B enBrocklesby

is Director at Origin

This is an absolute gamechanger for anyone with dreams of building their own property because it opens the option of self-building up to everyone for the first time in decades.

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

How the Help to Build scheme will empower self-builders Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin, discusses how the Help to Build scheme will benefit self-builders and offers his tips for building your dream property.

he recently-announced Help to Build scheme is set to revolutionise the way homes are built in the UK for the better. The Governmentfunded initiative will invest an initial £150m designed to make self-building more accessible and affordable, with experts predicting it could contribute an additional 30,000 to 40,000 new homes in the UK per year. This is an absolute gamechanger for anyone with dreams of building their own property because it opens the option of self-building up to everyone for the first time in decades. Since lending for selfbuild mortgages changed in the 1990s, self-build projects have only been accessible to those who had the funds available for the build itself, making this type of project out of reach for many prospective homeowners. Thanks to the Help to Build scheme, this is about to change.

The advantages

We are still awaiting the full details of the scheme from the Government. So, the nuances on who will be eligible and how long the scheme will last are still unknown. However, if executed well, we predict that the new scheme will have the power to shake up the housing industry permanently, and we will be incredibly surprised if the Government doesn’t end up adding to the £150m already invested.

This is largely down to the empowerment it will give to the individual homeowner. The majority of new homes in the UK are currently being built by large construction companies, which limits the choices available to buyers. Because of the scale of the projects, large new-build developments often become a tick-box exercise and tend to prioritise the number of bedrooms or bathrooms in a home over the functionality of the property. By contrast, when a home is built from scratch to a homeowner’s specifications, it can be tailored to their individual needs. Self-build projects also allow the homeowner the opportunity to fully future-proof their home, ensuring it works for their lifestyles now and in five, 10 or 20 years’ time when circumstances may have changed, such as children arriving or leaving home. This isn’t possible in a new build, and they can often be seen as the ‘first house’ or a ‘step on the ladder’ instead of the ‘forever home’. Self-build projects also allow much more scope for homeowners to make a sustainable choice. A self-builder is, by design, the project manager, and therefore makes all of the decisions over suppliers and products. So, homeowners can make the right choice for themselves. At Origin, all of our doors and windows are made from premium-grade aluminium, which is one of the most environmentallyfriendly materials for doors and windows. Big housebuilders sometimes prefer to install uPVC windows and doors to save on cost; however, they’re not built for longevity and durability and also aren’t as aesthetically pleasing. By designing a

VIEWPOINT

home from scratch, self-builders can not only choose the materials used for every element of their home, but also the systems, configurations, colours and finishes for features like their doors and windows, and choose the quality of build that will last for the time they’re planning to spend in the property.

Advice for self-builders

Self-build projects are one of the most exciting and fulfilling things that you can do. However, there are several considerations to bear in mind when setting out on a project. When it comes to choosing suppliers to build your home, be meticulous. At the end of the day, you are going to be living in the property, so you want it to be perfect. A self-build is a major project, so the last thing you want is to have to do it all over again or renovate further in a few years’ time because you aren’t happy. Ensure you are using credible suppliers with experience in installing the products you choose and that timeframes are clear. It is also wise to have a great architect on board. By this, I don’t just mean someone with vision and a creative eye, but someone that listens to you, your wants and needs. Often, when self-building a home, there can be a temptation to go as big as possible, but a quality architect will work with you and your unique requirements to create a home that is as functional as possible for your lifestyle. A local architect will also be familiar with planning regulations in your area.

My final key piece of advice to prospective self-builders is to ensure you are absolutely certain you have found the right area for your home before you commence the build. This requires thorough research. If the aim is to build your forever home, then take notice of things like local schools and catchment areas, even if you don’t have children yet, because if you do in the future, these things become important. The Help to Build scheme could not have come at a better time. The housing market may be booming

right now, but there is an estimated quarter of a million deficit in housing. In other words, demand outstrips supply. The Government-backed Help to Build initiative could turn this on its head simply by giving the power back to the homeowner to build their dream house in an affordable way. This is by far the most exciting thing to happen to housing in this country for decades, and we can’t wait to help bring some incredible self-build projects to life as a result.

www.origin-global.com I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

IMPRESSIVE INNOVATION

The Self-Build Diaries: Sam and Joanna Fletcher

This month, we talk to first-time self-builder and self-proclaimed Scandi/industrial design addict Joanna Fletcher. If you’re following Joanna on Instagram, you’ll be all too familiar with her and husband, Sam’s, positively inspirational home transformation and flair for clean-lined, super-stylish interiors. Here, we go back to the start of the Fletcher’s self-build journey and find out how it all began.

@ project_34_ selfbuild

Follow this self-build story on Instagram

I initially saw the property (one of four identical houses) over 20 years ago. At the time, I was taken back by the contemporary design – the houses’ large windows and mono-pitched roof designs. Overall, it was very different to the traditional red-brick terraces that you see across Lancashire. I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

RK: What inspired you to embark on your own project rather than buying? JF : It has been a life ambition. The prospect of

building our own home offered us the opportunity to create something unique with a house that is perfectly suited to our family’s needs.

RK: What was the vision and inspiration behind your new home? JF: The new property is a modern

reinterpretation of the previous 1950s postModern dwelling that stood on the site.

RK: How did you approach finalising your design brief ? JF: In all honesty, we had a very clear idea of the brief and materials we wanted to use.

RK: How and why did you choose this plot? JF: I initially saw the property (one of four

identical houses) over 20 years ago. At the time, I was taken back by the contemporary design – the houses’ large windows and mono-pitched roof designs. Overall, it was very different to the traditional red-brick terraces that you see across Lancashire.

RK: How long did it take to gain planning permission? JF: It took nine months altogether. 24

RK: Were there any challenging aspects to the project and build? JF: The site is located on a steep

valley site that had to be excavated. We removed over 1000 tons of rubble and created the sub-ground floor level, which is formed from a reinforced slab and thick concrete retaining walls wrapped in a tanking system. The rear of the sub-ground floor level is entirely underground and set back into the slope. The ground floor and first floor are constructed from structural insulated panels (SIPs). A particular challenge was the junction between the two different structures/materials and forming the roof deck and rainwater drainage.

RK: How did you approach material and product specification? JF: We wanted a simple palette of materials and colours, including: Burnt larch cladding COR-TEN steel Black satin aluminium for the windows, fascias and soffits Wetherby render in white with a touch of grey.

IMPRESSIVE INNOVATION

RK: Did you install any renewable systems? JF: No. The previous property was

already connected to mains gas and electricity, so we opted to retain this. However, we did design the underfloor heating (UFH) system so that we could switch to air source in the future.

RK: How long did the project take? JF: It took just under

12 months for the initial build to complete and for us to move in. We are currently working on the landscaping and lower ground floor rooms.

RK: Did you remain within the original budget? JF: No. The site, complex build and

bespoke nature of fixtures and fittings (stairs, kitchen, doors etc.) meant we went significantly over budget.

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IMPRESSIVE INNOVATION

RK: How does the property respond to its surrounding landscape? JF: It slots really well into the sloping site. The use of glass and black burnt cladding fits in nicely.

RK: What does the local community think of the new property? JF: Feedback has been very positive with people stopping to take photos.

RK: What’s your favourite thing about your new home? JF: The vistas across

the Ribble Valley are breathtaking – no matter the weather!

RK: Is there anything that you would have done differently? JF: Lots, but it was – and still is – a huge learning curve.

RK: Would you do the whole thing again? JF: Absolutely – if the right plot came up!

RK: What advice would you offer to anyone looking to self-build? JF: Check people’s work

thoroughly, and don’t be afraid to question anything you feel doesn’t look right. Try and learn from the trades so that you can absorb as much information about the build as possible. And, importantly, keep strong and believe in yourself! It’s certainly not an easy journey, and you will make mistakes. However, try and let those mistakes make you stronger.

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

IMPRESSIVE INNOVATION

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

I-BUILD - PERGOLAS & CANOPIES JACKSONS FENCING

Take cover Over the last year, gardens have become sanctuaries for homeowners craving a little escapism from the rest of the household or home-working setups. Although normality is now beginning to resume, many will continue to make the most of their outdoor spaces. In fact, in a survey conducted by Rated People, 64% of UK residents say they wouldn’t consider a home that didn’t have any outdoor space. Further, 47% of residents are said to be planning garden renovations this year, despite lockdown measures easing. Leigh Barnes, Retail Sales Manager at Jacksons Fencing, investigates further.

here are endless options available when considering a garden renovation. Once you’ve tackled the essential elements, including fencing, paving and turf, you can steer your focus to the more intricate landscaping details. Versatile elements, such as pergolas, are a brilliant addition to a garden. These outdoor structures – typically made up of vertical posts or pillars and crossbeams – can be used as the framework for a walkway, passageway, or to shelter a seating area. Their general purpose is to provide a focal point in a garden or outdoor space.

The sky’s the limit

Historically built from stone, brick and wood, pergolas have been seen in gardens since Roman times when the structures were projected from exterior walls and supported on one side by pillars or columns. Architects built pergolas in the Italian Renaissance to mimic the villas of Imperial Rome. Today, outdoor spaces are becoming increasingly creative, as various elements are combined to suit individual project requirements. Supposedly, pergola ‘law’ states that they should not have solid sides, but pergolas can be customised in any way you like. There are many different types of pergolas on the market, and selecting the right one for you can be I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

daunting. We manufacture three different types of wooden pergolas – single, double and corner. Still, you can also find metal or composite options on the market, depending on what your aesthetic preference is. Keep reading my comprehensive how-to guide below, designed to help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing the right product for your outdoor space.

What is the difference between a pergola and pagoda?

It is worth clearing this up first, as the two are often confused. The key difference between a pergola and a pagoda is the roof. A pagoda will have a solid roof that provides shelter from the elements. A pergola has crossbeams, but there is no actual roof that will provide shelter.

X marks the spot

This may seem all too obvious, but the placement is often overlooked in favour of other factors. You may have an exact idea of where you want the garden pergola to be installed, but I would advise you to consider the practical issues of where it’s placed carefully. For example, are the structures impacting any other area of your garden? What impact will it have on existing plants and wildlife in your garden? Will you lose a good relationship with your neighbour if the position of your pergola affects sunlight in their garden? Each garden will be different, and it also depends on how much focus you want to place on the pergola.

I-BUILD - PERGOLAS & CANOPIES JACKSONS FENCING

Adding a canopy is perfect for those who want a sheltered section in their garden to read books, entertain and relax in.

Climbing the walls

You can train numerous climbing plants to grow around your pergola, including honeysuckle, clematis, sweet peas, ivy and hydrangea. Different plants prefer different light conditions, so it depends which way your pergola faces. They are often placed in areas of full sun, so for this, we recommend honeysuckle, wisteria, flowering maple, white forsythia, grapevine and passionfruit.

Getting the good side

To maximise shade coverage for most of the day, consider positioning the pergola to intercept the sunlight before it reaches your seating area. Place it so the crossbeams orient north and south. As the sun travels, the crossbeams cast wide lines of shade under the structure, except around midday when the sun is directly overhead.

Anchor down

“To create a stable structure, we recommend securing the posts into the ground with Postcrete” Measuring up

You’ve taken the correct measurements, but have you double-checked them? Have you selected a pergola size that will be a tight fit, or have you allowed for a bit of wiggle room? These are things I highly recommend you do before committing to the purchase. Length, width, height and area size are all measurements you must have to hand before deciding to settle on a specific design. Knowing this information will stand you in good stead and make the installation process far more seamless.

Material world

The majority of pergolas are made from timber. If this is your preference, I would recommend you opt for timber that has been pressure-treated and is covered by a long guarantee. Nobody wants to invest in a structure that will rot at ground level, making it unsafe after a few years.

Form and function

Pergolas look stunning and can help set your garden apart when used as a focal point or surrounding a walkway, but they can also offer more usable space beyond garden aesthetics. Some designs double up in function as seating areas or as structures for vine-based plants.

To create a stable structure, we recommend securing the posts into the ground with Postcrete. Post holes should be approximately 300mm wide and 700mm deep and be filled with two to three bags of Postcrete depending on ground conditions. Note that the pergola posts will inevitably shrink and swell with changes in ground and weather conditions. As the installation proceeds, all pergola posts must be set vertically and remain in line at all times; otherwise, the pergola will not be structurally sound. You must use a good spirit level throughout the process to ensure complete accuracy.

Aim high

A pergola structure can be as wide as you like, as long as it’s built with enough timber struts to support the roof. The minimum height of a pergola should be no lower than 2m to provide enough headroom, though some pergolas can be higher. I’d recommend checking any site-specific critical measurements before assembly when thinking about the height of your pergola. Also, bear in mind that the taller the pergola, the more unstable it may become, making it harder to maintain. There really are countless options when it comes to selecting a pergola, making them the perfect addition for outdoor spaces of all shapes and sizes. Doing your research and carefully considering the placement and scale of the structure will help ensure the finished project is not only impressive but guaranteed to withstand all that Mother Nature decides to throw at it for many years to come.

www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

I-SCAPE - LIGHTING JOHN CULLEN LIGHTING

How to light up your outdoor spaces In this article, Sally Storey, Creative Director at John Cullen Lighting, offers her professional advice on choosing a lighting scheme for outdoor spaces.

arden lighting follows similar principles to interior lighting. Think about adding layers of light and then building up different effects to create a balanced design. However, the solutions are different. In small gardens, one tends to light the whole area like a room, and the outdoor space is treated as an extension of the interior space. With extensive gardens, knowing what to light and what not to light is essential. Consider the terrace immediately by the house as more of a room and then decide what to light beyond. A little light can go a long way at night, so select key focal points to be lit – ideally features that look good whatever the season. Sometimes these features can be surrounded by darkness, and in other situations, they can be illuminated by linking elements. These focal points could be sculptures, pavilions or trees. Evergreen trees are best for year-round focus, but some deciduous varieties can look pleasingly sculptural even once they have shed their leaves in winter. How they are lit will depend on their shape and size. What is essential in all gardens is to light something close to the house so that the eye is drawn outside the glazing. Then gaps are filled in with light to link the features. In large gardens, one concept is to light the immediate garden and then allow darkness to be celebrated before a key feature – like a sculpture, summer house or impressive tree – is lit in the distance.

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

When planning a large garden’s lighting, you can break down the key elements to consider into the illumination of paths, steps, sculpture, trees, walls, water and features. Do not be afraid of darkness, as this plays an integral part in a well-lit garden. Understanding the balance of light and shadow is a magical component in all lighting design. A large garden may have a variety of smaller paths around it or routes to different areas. Sizeable gardens often have various rooms within them: a terrace with a barbeque and dining area, a kitchen garden, a swimming pool, a formal planted area, or a woodland meander, perhaps. These all need treating individually according to what they are like and how open or enclosed they are. Lighting steps is obviously necessary from a safety point of view, but they can also provide dramatic or soft light for the garden. A path may be lit sporadically as a route finder, and the intensity of light should increase at the steps to ensure they are evenly lit. Garden sculptures can make a garden. They can be a centrepiece to a formal garden creating the focal point amid an ornamental box parterre garden, or located in a wild planting bed, either incidentally or as the central point. Whatever the style and position, lighting the sculpture by night is essential, as one can create a permanent lighting effect. When lighting up planting, you must adjust this by seasons, but a sculpture remains the same year-round. The small garden or courtyard in an urban environment should be considered an extra room and entertainment space. They provide a welcome extension of the interior space by day but can be forgotten at night – unless they are lit. They can act as an extra room, with exciting features to look at, so why block them out at night with curtains and blinds? A well-designed lighting scheme draws the eye outside to enjoy

I-SCAPE - LIGHTING JOHN CULLEN LIGHTING

the garden features in a new way by night. And if the interior has large expanses of uncurtained glazing, lighting the exterior close to those windows will prevent them from becoming a black mirror at night. Also, consider how your front garden will look at night too. This is the first impression that friends have when they arrive, so it sets the scene. A lantern on either side of the door creates a welcoming effect or a hanging lantern if there is a porch. A big don’t is to avoid security lights that are glary and wash the space with too much harsh light. Finally, outdoor lighting needs a sound control system. It should be switched on when required and linked to a daylight sensor to prevent daytime operation. To ensure your design can reach its full potential, you should consider the lighting design at the very beginning of a project before hard landscaping. The key to successful garden lighting, whatever the size, is flexibility.

www.johncullen lighting.com

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

LEGAL & BUSINESS PRODUCT GUIDE ADVERTORIAL: SIEGER ALUMINIUM SYSTEMS | CORKSOL | DRAKS | KEYLITE ROOF WINDOWS

SprayCork from Corksol is proven to reduce heat loss through walls by more than 30%

ew research from Corksol UK has

confirmed its innovative SprayCork

solution is proven to reduce heat loss

through walls by more than 30%, making it the ultimate choice for properties old and new. A high-performance, sustainable solution,

SprayCork offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional render systems and other

coatings. Breathable and weather-resistant, not only is SprayCork a

market-leading solution for thermal insulation, but it is also ideal for use in small spaces, where thicker layers would cause a reduction in room

size. The U-value of the 1890s solid-walled, Yorkshire stone test property was reduced from 1.58 to

1.10 – an incredible result for

www.corksoluk.com 01484 442420 info@corksoluk.com

a product applied at only 6mm thick.

New-build home in Buckinghamshire features Sieger full glazing package

The beauty of space in the home brought to life with Draks’ new website

lever, beautiful, design-

led wardrobe and room divider solutions from Draks are

renowned in the housebuilding and residential markets in

the UK, where hundreds of bespoke, quality installations have

This luxury new-build home in Buckinghamshire features a full glazing package from Sieger, including Sieger 120 bi-fold doors, slim casement windows, slim sliding doors and a Juliet Balcony with a casement door.

been completed over the past 25 years. A new, crisp, easy-

to-navigate website – www.draks.co.uk – has been launched to illustrate the company’s continued prowess today; and it reflects the sheer skill of the team in creating stunning

space-saving storage and room-dividing solutions for the

ultimate in stylish home comfort. Full of colourful photography,

omplete with a home gym and pool area, this high-end residential property is the ideal family home. With a combination of slim sliding glass doors and a large roof lantern, the kitchen and dining areas is flooded with natural light and provides uninterrupted views of the spacious garden. Traditional English home architectural elements can be seen in the classic red brickwork chosen for the external building finishes. The interior design went in a more modern and minimalistic direction, with a monochrome colour scheme. The light colours used for the floor and internal building finishes combined with the natural light from the glazing creates an incredibly spacious area. Flush thresholds and minimal framing on the sliding doors systems allows the interior and exterior spaces to be merged. With the doors open, the spaces become a large indoor-outdoor area, forging a strong connection between the home and the garden. In the master bedroom on the upper floor, Schüco casement doors were fitted with a glass balustrade to create a modern Juliet balcony design. This allows high levels of ventilation for the upper floor and floods of natural light to flow into the bedroom.

concise text, project testimonials and product information, the website delivers all the housebuilder, designer or homeowner needs to know when considering design schemes for storage solutions.

www.draks.co.uk 01869 232989 info@draks.co.uk

Raise the roof with Keylite’s expansive product range

veryone knows

that Keylite Roof

Windows (Keylite)

offers and manufactures roof windows, but what many don’t know is that Keylite also specialises in an extensive range of products, including lanterns, flat glass rooflights and solar-

enabled roof windows. For a flood of atrium-style daylighting, Keylite’s Roof Lantern is the most popular product in the flat roof window range. For windows installed beyond reach,

Keylite’s Electric Roof Windows are another popular choice among homeowners. On top of this, Keylite’s Electric Roof

Windows can be solar-powered – reducing energy costs, carbon footprint and ideal for installations where

a connection to mains

electric is not available.

I-B U I L D/ J U N E/21

www.keyliteroofwindows.com 01283 200158 info@keyliteuk.com

www.siegersystems.co.uk 01494 722882 sales@siegersystems.co.uk

PRODUCT GUIDE ADVERTORIAL: DR. SCHUTZ

Get summer ready with Dr. Schutz

Now that the days and evenings are becoming brighter, brown patios, green fencing and grubby outdoor furniture are just some of the sights we’re beginning to see.

o aid the dreaded task of exterior cleaning and maintenance, Dr. Schutz showcases three of its most popular products, perfect for transforming outdoor spaces.

Wood Refresher

Restore the natural colour of outdoor wood with an intensive cleaning agent for all wood surfaces, which have turned grey, with Dr. Schutz Wood Refresher. The product has good adhesion and a non-drip formula, making it easy for any surface to be refreshed.

Stone Care

Stone Care is a concentrated cleaner for the removal of dirt, grime, grease and other micro-organisms on stone and tile floors. This product benefits from a high coverage of 1000m 2/litre.

Intensive Cleaner

This product is a thoroughly-effective and powerful deep cleaner for the removal of dirt, grime, algae, moss, grease and micro-organisms from any outdoor surface. Garden furniture, decking, fencing, stonework, brick walls, garden ornaments, steps, driveways, paths, patios and concrete are just some of the surfaces which can benefit from using this cleaner. Stay on top of cleaning and maintenance this summer with Dr. Schutz. www.drschutz.co.uk 01296 437827 I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

LEGAL & BUSINESS PRODUCT GUIDE ADVERTORIAL: OSMO

Protect your garden house

Gardening is an enjoyable pastime for many people and has only increased since lockdown. It works wonders for your health and wellbeing, and you can even burn up to 400 calories an hour. With more and more homeowners taking up gardening as a hobby or renovating their outdoor space, there is a larger need for external storage space that can house garden furniture, tools and equipment.

ut how do we protect these wooden structures to ensure they withstand the summer and winter weather, as well as provide an aesthetically-pleasing feature in the garden? Alia, a London homeowner, explains how Osmo County Colour helped her achieve this. Once Alia had completed the internal renovations on her new house, the garden became her next big project. With large sliding doors at the back of the house looking into the garden, she wanted a modern alternative to a standard garden shed, so she invested in a log cabin. The cabin is made of interlocking softwood logs, so it was really important to ensure the logs were well maintained as warping could cause gaps between the logs and would damage the structure. “We weren’t aware of Osmo before this project, but as it was on the shortlist of approved manufacturers and after conducting our own research of all recommended companies, we decided

I-B U I L D/ J U N/21

to pick Osmo,” commented Alia. “We wanted a clean and modern look for the cabin that would brighten up a relatively dark corner of the garden, and Osmo had the colour choices that we wanted.” Alia opted for Country Colour White for the main structure, Country Colour Anthracite Grey for the window and door frames, as well as the roof trim, and Country Colour Light Grey for the interior. The Country Colour range promises premium durability and a rich colour, hiding the natural colour and grain of the wood yet maintaining the wood’s natural texture. The solution not only rejuvenates the wood but leaves it protected against the unpredictable British weather. It can be applied to a range of wood species, including oily and exotic materials. Based on natural vegetable oils, the finish allows the wood to breathe. Requiring only two coats, it can be applied using a roller or brush and has an approximate drying time of eight to 10 hours.

“We applied two coats of County Colour, and it has provided a solid, smooth finish and superior timber protection,” continues Alia. “We were told that it doesn’t crack or peel and is easy to apply and maintain, which I can confirm, it was. We are really happy with the end product. The cabin looks really special, and we’ve had lots of compliments on it.” www.osmouk.com 01296 481220 info@osmouk.com

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I-B U I L D/ M AR/21