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November 2021 £4.40

GRAND DESIGNS

TV HOUSE EXCLUSIVE!

–

THE INSPIRATIONAL TIMBER-CLAD PAVILION

GRANDDESIGNSMAGAZINE.COM

LESS IS

MORE HOW THIS MINIMALIST HOME MAKES THE MOST OF ITS I DY L L I C S E T T I N G

ADVICE ON BUILDING A PL ANET- FRIE NDLY PASSIVHAUS

MAKE SPACE

BY CONVE RTING THE CE LL AR

SIZE , SHAPE , ST YLE AND FIT — FIND YOUR PE RFEC T SOFA

A Perfectly Coordinated Shaker Kitchen

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Contents

November 2021

Regulars 10 SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE

With this amazing offer you get 13 issues of Grand Designs magazine for just £29.99 13 EDITOR’S LETTER

19 KEVIN McCLOUD Our editor-

at-large celebrates the rewards of the autumn season 154 MY GRAND IDEA The virtue of a slow-build in a woodland setting

15 News 15 ARCHITECTURE UPDATE

New and inspiring projects 119 KITCHEN UPGRADE The latest designs, surfaces and appliances 137 BATHROOM EDIT Stylish new additions for the smallest room

154

137 MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 5

CONTENTS

Homes 23 TV HOUSE EXCLUSIVE

How several members of one family collaborated to build a beautiful home in the Fens 35 RENOVATED CITY SEMI

A once-divided Victorian property has been turned back into a stunning house 49 SOMERSET SELF-BUILD

This brick-clad pavilion takes full advantage of its idyllic countryside setting 63 UPDATED TERRACE One Capetown couple made great use of the space in an extended suburban house

63

35 Projects 75 GRAND BUILD The method and

107 BUYER’S GUIDE TO SOFAS How to

benefits of building a Passivhaus 83 GRAND GUIDE Ten homes that have overcome challenging sites

pick the ideal size, shape, fit and style 125 PROJECT KITCHENS What to look for when choosing a new worksurface 141 PROJECT BATHROOMS A round-up of the latest tap and shower designs, with tips on finding the best quality and new product innovations

95 PROJECT CELLAR CONVERSIONS

Expert advice and design ideas for turning a basement into valuable extra living space

83

125 6 NOVEMBER 2021 /

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T H E U LT I M AT E DESIGN

BUILD

Octagon have developed an unrivalled reputation for designing and building magnificent, one-of-a-kind homes in some of the country’s finest locations, as well as restoring listed properties and completing major renovations and extensions.

020 8168 0251 | OCTAGONBESPOKE.CO.UK

EDITORIAL

GO ONLINE Find more from Kevin McCloud and our exclusive TV house tours, plus inspiring self-builds, real-life extensions, conversions and home-improvement projects.

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EDITOR K AREN STYLIANIDES ART DIRECTOR TONY PETERS CHIEF SUB-EDITOR MATT GL ASBY CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ALICE WESTGATE DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR VICTORIA PURCELL CONTENT PRODUCER PAISLEY-ROSE TEDDER EDITOR-AT-LARGE KEVIN McCLOUD

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All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices and information correct at time of going to press. Grand Designs magazine is published by Media 10 in association with Channel 4 and FremantleMedia Limited trading as Naked. Grand Designs is a registered trademark of FremantleMedia Limited. Based on the television programme Grand Designs, produced by Naked West (a Fremantle label) for Channel 4. Licensed by Fremantle (fremantle.com) ©2021. ISSN 1742-0695

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• Subscribing is the only way to get your hands on a print copy • Plus, get two free Grand Designs Live tickets worth £20 each VISIT granddesignssubscriptions.com/OGDN1021 OR CALL 01858 438792 and quote OGDN1021 This offer expires on 14 November 2021. The price applies to UK Direct Debit subscribers only. Grand Designs Live is a biannual event taking place in London and Birmingham. A free ticket to each Grand Designs Live show will be included for print subscribers inside the May and October issues each year. Please note the issue including the free ticket is subject to change. For full terms and conditions, visit granddesignsmagazine.com/terms-conditions

EDITOR’S LETTER

T

he basin tap in my bathroom has been dripping. I look at the manual sent by customer service and take the tap apart with the aim of removing the limescale that is most likely the cause of the problem – or so I’ve been told. My tap doesn’t look like the one in the manual, but I disassemble the bits, clean them, and then put everything back together again.

The dripping is a bit worse now. There’s nothing for it but to keep the isolation valve off and call a plumber. I realise that in the grand scheme of things this is a very, very minor problem. But it did remind me of the value of buying a good-quality design with a decent warranty, and keeping the manual.

By – genuine – coincidence, there’s a guide

to taps and showers on page 141, which includes useful advice on product labelling and warranties.

Compared to fixing a broken tap, tackling a Passivhaus project seems like rocket science. But, as outlined in the Grand Build feature on page 75, it doesn’t have to be as challenging as it sounds. As with anything to do with building a home, hiring the right team is half the battle. The article includes information on finding an expert designer and contractor, and provides an overview of the Passivhaus process. Protecting the planet’s precious resources by saving energy, which also reduces utility bills, is just one of the many reasons for self-builders to consider taking a Passivhaus approach.

COVER PHOTO DAVID BARBOUR

K AREN ST YLIANIDES , EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHY JEFFERSON SMITH

@StylianidesK

Gretta Funnell’s self-build project was very much a family affair. Turn to page 23 for more

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 13

An award winning architecture practice with a reputation for quality, design excellence and customer service. We design bespoke spaces to live, work and play tailored to your dreams.

www.studio11architecture.co.uk 01553 970033

NEWS

Architecture update Original projects to inspire your own self-build or renovation

A barn reborn

Flint Architects has created a new annexe alongside a 1700s Grade II listed three-bedroom cottage, which is set back from the high street in the village of Steeple Claydon, Buckinghamshire. The two-storey, 150sqm addition was built on a site that had once been home to a barn.

An iroko timber link forms a new entrance and leads to the open-plan living space, with two en-suite bedrooms above. The walls and roof are clad in black corrugated steel as a nod to the building’s agricultural past.

The project cost £350,000. (flintarchitects.co.uk)

As part of his proposal for increasing the number of self-built new homes, Richard Bacon MP recommended that the government make changes to the Right to Build legislation.

The changes aim to support more competition and innovation in the housebuilding industry, as well as getting the UK closer to netzero. Search Richard Bacon at gov.uk to read the report.

Top notch This mansard loft extension creates a restful retreat at the top of a four-bedroom Victorian terrace in the conservation area of Clapton, north London. Emil Eve Architects planned a bedroom lined with bespoke joinery, a full-height dressing area, an integrated window seat and an en-suite shower room. The £168,000 project also included a jet-cut aluminium balustrade overlooking the rooftops. (emileve.co.uk)

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 15

NEWS

Architecture update Sustainable future Visitors are invited to book tours of the first ever UK homes fuelled entirely by hydrogen. The two Gateshead houses, built in partnership between gas distributors Cadent and Northern Gas Networks (NGN) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), showcase hydrogen-fed boilers, hobs, cookers, fires and a barbecue, which produce no carbon at the point of use. (northerngasnetworks.co.uk).

Decorative detail

Self-build hero

It’s a wrap Congratulations to Alma-Nac Architects, one of 54 winners in the 2021 RIBA National Awards for architecture. As a solution for a 1950s detached two-storey home set within a Victorian street in a conservation area of Brockley, south London, the practice created a new insulated brick thermal envelope.

The architects designed a three-storey, 233sqm, six-bedroom house, wrapping it around the retained external walls of the original building, which were upgraded to modern standards. By adapting the structure, 12,670 bricks and around 12.85sqm of concrete were re-used. The new additions are made of a lightweight mostly timber structure. (alma-nac.com)

16 NOVEMBER 2021 /

MAGAZINE.COM

Architect Walter Segal (1907-85) worked in Berlin, Egypt, Switzerland and Mallorca before settling in post-war Britain, where he designed the self-build housing estate Walters Way in Lewisham, south London. Walter Segal: Self-Built Architect by Alice Grahame and John McKean (Lund Humphries, £45, out now) explores his unique approach to architecture, including an explanation of how his timber-framing method opened up the possibility for easily assembled, planet-friendly building. The book includes illustrations from Segal’s personal archive and new photography from Taran Wilkhu. (lundhumphries.com)

WORDS CAROLINE RODRIGUES PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS SNOOK, MARIELL LIND HANSEN, NOVAK HILES ARCHITECTS, JACK HOBHOUSE

New bespoke tiles link this three-bedroom end-of-terrace house in a conservation area in Balham, south London, back to its Arts and Crafts roots. Novak Hiles Architects (novakhilesarchitects.com) devised a frieze for the exterior wall of the 18sqm extension, designing tiles decorated with bracken leaves that were handmade by H&E Smith (hesmith.co.uk). The raised pattern contrasts with the smooth zinc cladding. A glazed pocket door in the hall allows for a view right through the house. The project cost £110,500.

As award winning architects and designers we aspire to create extraordinary buildings and spaces for our clients, sometimes from the most difficult of design briefs. Central to our philosophy is that good design should reflect the needs of our clients and respond to the surrounding environment.

Pushing the boundaries of design we are able to achieve timeless, highly innovative and sustainable projects. We offer a complete design service from initial advice through to the completion of your project.

We complete works all over the UK and internationally with construction budgets from £250,000.

Please take a look around our website and email us or call with your new project enquiry for a free consultation.

Tye Architects t: 01525 406677 e: nicolas@tyearchitects.com w: www.tyearchitects.com

new builds

extensions

conversions

The tree house of your dreams.

Working with wood can bring a wonderful natural texture to your whole home. And with Maxlight glazing you’ll enjoy big beams of beautiful natural light too.

Leaving you to sit back and enjoy the view.

Platform 5 Architects Photography: Alan Williams

EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

Kevin

McCloud Whether you fancy the Beauty of Bath or a Kentish Kiss, an apple is a gift that keeps on giving, says our editor-at-large

Y

ou should be reading this around the middleto-end of October 2021, when Grand Designs will have run its course on Channel 4 and House of the Year will be starting soon – or may have done so already. Think of both these series as autumnal fruiting trees. Every year we nurture, prune and feed them so that a fresh and delicious crop of juicy new programmes matures, ready for plucking around the time of the equinox.

The diversity of projects – both in the core series of Grand Designs and House of the Year – is also as varied as the offerings from our orchards at this time of year. Just as we have visited perhaps 400 homes across the years, there are about 6,000 named varieties of apple, all descended from one wild type that was crudely cultivated in Kazakhstan tens of thousands of years ago – I’m told that Kazakhstan means ‘Mother Apple’. It’s thought that perhaps there might be as many as 15,000 distinguishable apple varieties worldwide, mostly unnamed, suggesting an extraordinary wealth of experiences to be had from one fruit.

I don’t think there’s a Mother Apple variety to buy in the UK. If there were, it would probably produce a small, hard, green fruit the size of a tomato, just as its ancient antecedent would have done.

When it was growing in the wild, it would have been gathered by humans living in small, hard homes too. As it is, the names of apples in English

are as varied, mouthwatering and astringently tongue-twisting as the fruits themselves. One favourite of mine is Golden Knob (you have permission to giggle), a very small apple covered with a rich, bronze russeting.

It stays on the tree long after the leaves have fallen, to be picked at Christmas, and tastes intensely of pineapples. I also like the popular Bramley’s Seedling as much for the cooking apple as for the tree itself, which must be one of the most lush and robust of all. The original was a chance product of a pip planted by Mary Ann Brailsford as a girl in her garden in 1809. That same tree is still in the same garden in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, and it is hard not to think of her as an inadvertent pioneer, the chance creator of a billion delicious apple pies.

There are other knobbish names that are worth seeking out, not for the tree or the fruit, but just for the sense of humour the fruit-grower will have applied when it came to christening their prized new variety. There are plenty of worthy names out there, of course, and a few romantic ones too such as Court Pendu Plat, Beauty of

One favourite of mine is Golden Knob (you have permission to giggle)

Bath or Tydeman’s Early Worcester. But how could you resist buying a tree with the name Nontit Bastard? Or Village Bike? These names I’m sure will have been a reference to the fecundity of the pips in propagation. Sadly, they’re not available to buy as trees, although I’m on the hunt. You’ll have to make do with Slack-ma-Girdle – a loose, unbridled tree with an adaptable, free-and-easy fruit that’s good for cider and eating.

When people ask me how it is possible that we continue to find original projects for GD, or how we find the wild, woolly and wonderful homes in House of the Year, my answer is always the same: no human story is identical to another and no location is exactly the same as another. The corners of the world we occupy are infinite in variety and we are all different, and so our buildings continue to be different too, especially our homes. Each is like a new pip, as though the pairing of a site with an individual’s good, fertile imagination sparks an original idea into place. The magic in this spark is that each time it darts in a different direction.

The same is true of an apple.

Take a fruit and bury it, and chances are a tree will grow. The fruit it bears

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 19

EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

Toby and Libby Leeming built their Suffolk home around an oak tree

There are around 6,000 named varieties of apple in the world

Apples share, with vernacular architecture and regional accents, a connection to a place and regional accents, local apple varieties and the orchards made from them have long been overlooked, are threatened or have been lost.

This is why, on any housing scheme, a new orchard can be such an important way for a community to root itself into place. It’s also why the charity Common Ground (commonground.org.uk) has devoted decades of work to the re-establishment of ancient orchards around the country. As a result, Britain has a thriving culture of apple-growers and enthusiasts. Look up the apples for the county you live in and you’ll probably find someone growing those trees. There is no finer present for a street, a friend or a building.

ARE YOU PLANNING A ?

TV’s Grand Designs is looking for exciting projects to feature on the programme.

Does your build fit the bill? To apply, please visit granddesigns.tv

20 NOVEMBER 2021 /

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PHOTOGRAPHY MAREK STUDZINSKI, JEFFERSON SMITH

may be nothing like that of its parent or parents – two parents may not be needed if the parent tree is self-fertile.

In fact, the new tree may be nothing like any existing variety anywhere in the world. It may be blue and triangular. It may, like Dabinett, Brown Snout or Foxwhelp apples, be high in tannins and sugars, and be eminently suitable for cider-making. It may be the 15,001st new variety. If you give it a name, it may be the 6,001st known named variety. From it, growth wood can be carefully sliced off and grafted onto a rootstock apple to grow a clone from your new variety. Do this again and again and you can populate the world with examples of your tree and its new triangular blue fruits. Just remember to give it a good name.

Discovery is already taken.

You could do worse than to incorporate a place name. Fair Maid of Taunton, Hereford Beefing and Yarlington Mill hark to the great cidermaking traditions of Somerset and Herefordshire. In 2015 Tesco shopper Jacqui Lalling won a competition to name a new variety from Kent that the store was stocking, which she saucily called Kentish Kiss. So Slack-maGirdle and plant a Kentish Kiss on my rosy apple cheeks.

Full marks to Tesco, too, for promoting new varieties and championing the provenance.

Apples are local things. They share, with vernacular architecture and regional accents, a connection to a place. Some are better suited to damp valley conditions where clay abounds; others like it cooler, high and windy.

And, like vernacular architecture

HOMES TV HOUSE

A family affair Several members of a close-knit family pooled their resources to design and build this minimalist, open-plan home WORDS JAYNE DOWLE PHOTOGR APHY JEFFERSON SMITH

A planter in front of the entrance contains willow trees, cordylines, heucheras and grasses MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 23

HOMES TV HOUSE

IN BRIEF –

LOCATION Near Ely, Cambridgeshire TYPE OF PROPERTY Detached single-storey house BEDROOMS 3 PROJECT STARTED Autumn 2019 PROJECT FINISHED August 2021 SIZE 187sqm LAND COST £125,000 BUILD COST £450,000

G

retta Funnell has built her own piece of paradise in the Cambridgeshire Fens. Her new home is a spacious and airy single-storey house called Sayang, which means ‘the most loved’ in Malay.

Gretta, 60, who is a teacher, and her late husband Ray spent almost 20 years living and working in Malaysia. But following Ray’s sudden death in 2019, she returned to the UK at a loss to where she should put down new roots.

Gretta’s elder sister Mary Gris, 63, and her husband Fernando, 64, proffered an invitation to come and live with them

in a village near Ely. After the collapse of their business in the 2008 financial crash, they were forced to downsize to a caravan in the garden, renting out their house to pay off their debts. Gretta’s new home was to be an adjoining caravan, and she accepted the offer with gratitude.

‘I’ve known Fernando since I was nine years old,’ she says. ‘He was at school with my brother and used to come and stay with us during the holidays. Mary and Fernando have been together since the age of 14, so we have all grown up together. He’s always been part of the family.’

Shortly before Gretta returned to England, Mary and Fernando had begun

LEFT The generously overhanging roof is clad with Douglas fir, which has been charred to make it weatherproof BELOW To reference Gretta’s former home in Malaysia, the house has a wall of glazed doors and windows

This spacious and airy single-storey house is called Sayang, which means ‘the most loved’ in Malay

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 25

ABOVE The kitchen features charcoalgrey units, built-in appliances and quartz worksurfaces, with slim Chart chandeliers providing task lighting for the island

26 NOVEMBER 2021 /

working on plans to build a new house where the two caravans stood. It would then be sold, allowing the couple to pay off their debts and move back into their family home.

‘Soon after my return, I realised Ely would be a good place for me to settle,’ says Gretta. ‘I asked Mary and Fernando whether I could buy the plot myself. And they said that would be amazing.’

The local authority gave permission for a home to be built on the site providing it was no higher than the caravans. Unable to find a prefabricated house design that she liked,

MAGAZINE.COM

Gretta turned to her nephew for help. Mary and Fernando’s son Carlos, 36, has a degree in architecture and is creative director of his own design studio in London.

‘When I told Carlos I wanted the house to be streamlined and contemporary, he was really surprised,’ says Gretta. ‘He thought I would go for something much more traditional.’

Carlos drew up designs for a minimalist, open-plan home. Built on a steel frame, it features lots of glazing and an overhanging roof made from structural insulated panels

HOMES TV HOUSE

‘When I told Carlos I wanted the house to be streamlined and contemporary, he was really surprised’

(SIPs) that support a roof garden. The exterior cladding is Japanese-style charred wood known as shou sugi ban.

Fernando, who had worked as project manager in corporate roles but never in construction, agreed to take on the job.

He marshalled a gang of independent tradesmen and dealt with delays caused by the pandemic, which included a shortage of Douglas fir for the cladding. Despite this, Carlos says the 18-month build progressed smoothly. ‘It was 90 per cent inspiration and 10 per cent disagreement,’ MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 27

ABOVE In the recess next to the glazed doors is a cupboard brought from Malaysia ABOVE RIGHT The focus of the living and dining area is a contemporary electric fire set into a faux chimney breast RIGHT Large-format Italian porcelain floor tiles measuring 600x 600mm have been laid throughout the house

28 NOVEMBER 2021 /

MAGAZINE.COM

HOMES TV HOUSE

F L O O R PL A N

EN SUITE LIVING AREA

BEDROOM

DRESSING ROOM

KITCHEN

STAIRS TO TERRACE

DINING AREA

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

UTILITY ROOM

BATHROOM GAMES ROOM/STUDY

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 29

30 NOVEMBER 2021 /

MAGAZINE.COM

HOMES TV HOUSE

ABOVE Gretta’s bedroom has a tropical feel thanks to the jungle-print bed linen and exotic planting in the garden LEFT A freestanding bath with a floormounted tap sits in front of the window in the main bathroom.

Blinds provide privacy

he laughs. ‘Most of the time, my dad was stepping out of his comfort zone and showing me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. He was back on site only a few days after having knee replacement surgery, which was inspiring.’

Fernando also learnt a lot from the process. ‘My advice for anyone taking on a job like this would be to draw up a careful budget, have it approved by a quantity surveyor and then review it regularly,’ he says. ‘Making a detailed spreadsheet means that you can manage it carefully and be eagle-eyed with suppliers.’

Gretta admits that there were a few stressful moments along the way. There was a mix-up with the windows, which led to extra costs. ‘But the biggest stress was having to cut down Fernando’s beloved old apple tree,’ she says. ‘There was no way we could build the house without felling it,

but he was very upset. I did buy him a new one to make up for it.’

Although Sayang sits perfectly in the Cambridgeshire countryside, it has definite echoes of Malaysia. ‘The big windows, the tiled floor and high ceilings are the main elements that remind me of our home there,’ says Gretta. ‘Then there’s the overhang, which gives shade on a sunny day and, unless you’re very unlucky with the direction of the wind, allows you to sit out and watch the rain too.’

Mary and Fernando are pleased to have settled back in their own house, and Gretta, who is now working part-time at a primary school, is delighted with her new home.

‘Sayang has become everything I dreamed it would be,’ she says. ‘It’s a very happy home where I will create many new memories in the years to come. I feel sure that Ray would have loved it.’

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 31

HOMES TV HOUSE

Plans for the roof terrace include raised beds and seating.

Gretta planted a soft border between her home and Mary and Fernando’s next door

S U PPL I E R S – PROJECT TEAM STRUCTURE FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Carpentry and cladding installation Kitchen and utility room Wren (wrenkitchens.com) Design Carlos Gris Studio (carlosgris.studio) Kings Carpentry (07810 743088) Bathrooms Port Plumbing (portplumbing.co.uk) Landscaping Grow Gardens (growgardens.co.uk) Floor and wall tiles Checkalow Tiles (checkalow.co.uk) Architectural detailing support Tony Walton and James Rixon Shou sugi ban cladding Exterior Solutions (exterior.supplies) SIPs SIPs Building (sipsbuilding.co.uk) Living room electric fire Ivett & Reed (ivettandreed.co.uk) (rixon-architecture.com) Structural steel Ian Cross Services Internal doors Armada Door Hardware (armadadh.com) Engineer JMS Engineers (jmsengineers.co.uk) (iancrossservices.co.uk) Front door Express Bi-Folding Doors (expressbifolds.co.uk) Internal decoration Avis Decorators Glazing Maxlight (maxlight.co.uk) (avisdecorators.co.uk) FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Block and beam insulation Kingspan (kingspan.com) Electrician Theo Bailey (07973 725150) Sofa, dining table and beds Reeds Furniture and Bed Centre Internet, alarm system and security cameras Roofing Norfolk Flat Roofing Solutions (reedshomestore.co.uk) BM Aerial & TV Services (01353 863922) (norfolkflatroofing.co.uk) Kitchen island lights Christopher Wray (christopherwray.com) Heating Eco Installer (ecoinstaller.co.uk) Drains and septic tank Drainstore (drainstore.com) Plasterer DBH Plastering (dannyhatleyplastering.co.uk) Blinds Sunrise Blinds (sunriseblinds.co.uk)

32 NOVEMBER 2021 /

MAGAZINE.COM

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HOMES LONDON

High ideals A four-storey house divided into two flats has become a single home updated with an elegant Corten steel-clad extension

The contemporary three-storey glass and steel addition contrasts with the Victorian brick façade

WORDS REBECCA FOSTER PHOTOGR APHY STALE ERIKSEN

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I BELOW A concrete staircase is one of the focal points of the remodelled house.

Craning in a pre-cast structure would have been tricky, so it was cast in situ instead

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n 2016 entrepreneur Andrew Bredon got the chance to tackle his dream renovation project, something he’d spent a long time looking for.

‘I’d been hunting for the right house for several years,’ he says. ‘Few places with the bones of what I wanted came up for sale in east London.’

Andrew, 43, and his wife Lotti Benardout, 36, who is a professional musician, focused on Georgian and Victorian properties as they had the big rooms and high ceilings the couple were after. ‘When this house came on the market, we were attracted by what we could do with it,’ explains Andrew. ‘Though it was in good condition, it hadn’t been updated for around 20 years.’

The four-storey building was divided into two flats, which the couple planned to turn into a single home. And by converting the two apartments into one house they would pay just 5 per cent VAT on materials and labour, rather than the standard 20 per cent.

Andrew set about tracking down the right architecture practice for the project. ‘I wanted to use a local firm, and found DeDraft via Pinterest,’ he says. ‘I was fairly

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HOMES LONDON

IN BRIEF –

LOCATION Hackney, east London TYPE OF PROPERTY Victorian semi-detached villa BEDROOMS 3 PROJECT STARTED November 2016 PROJECT FINISHED March 2020 SIZE 225sqm PROPERTY COST £2.4 million BUILD COST £600,000

During the build, the sash window in the lower-ground floor family room was taken out to allow the excavated earth to be removed

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 37

HOMES LONDON

Handleless cabinets, inset sinks and an induction hob create a sleek, minimalist scheme in the kitchen RIGHT A sunken outdoor dining area has been incorporated in the garden, where Andrew’s mother took charge of the landscaping

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HOMES LONDON

The building was divided into two flats, which the couple planned to turn into a single home set on the aesthetics, but needed an architect who could take the lead on the technical aspects.’

The couple had a series of must-have items on their wishlist, including a new double-height space at the back of the house. ‘The ground-floor kitchen was cut off from the garden, so Andrew and Lotti wanted to create a better connection from inside

the house to the outside,’ explains Grant Straghan, a director at the practice.

Andrew and Grant developed the plans together, deciding to rebuild the outrigger rather than extending further into the back garden. The lower-ground floor was excavated to allow for a sunken patio at the rear, then the ground floor was partly cut away to create a doubleheight space. The extension is clad in Corten steel, which makes a clear distinction between the new-build and the original London stock brickwork.

‘From a planning perspective, there was a precedent,’ says Andrew. ‘Our next-door neighbour had done something fairly similar, so I wasn’t too worried.’ But it wasn’t all plain sailing. ‘Hackney council is more progressive than some boroughs, but the process is still

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 39

HOMES LONDON

The balustrade is a seamless concrete structure which has been ground back to expose the aggregate RIGHT A rooflight from Glazing Vision helps to illuminate the rebuilt outrigger

F L O O R PL A N S

DINING AREA

WC VOID

DINING ROOM

UTILITY ROOM

EN SUITE KITCHEN BEDROOM FAMILY ROOM WC

LIVING ROOM STORAGE

BEDROOM BEDROOM

LOWER GROUND FLOOR

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GROUND FLOOR

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FIRST FLOOR

EN SUITE

SECOND FLOOR

THIRD FLOOR

Much of the couple’s art was chosen specifically for the house, including the Guillem Nadal piece above the dining room fireplace

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The fireplace in the ground-floor living room was refurbished, with new hearth stones added to replace the damaged existing ones

HOMES LONDON

somewhat subjective,’ he says. A few design tweaks were required before the couple obtained consent. ‘We had to introduce an extra column in the extension to break up the expanse of glazing,’ says Grant.

Things weren’t made any easier when the relationship between the couple and their builder started to sour.

‘Once construction began there was a lot of underpinning to do, which made for quite a slow build,’ explains Grant. ‘Structurally, the project was complex because the back of the house was being rebuilt and they were making level changes. I think the builder underpriced the job initially, which came back to bite him later when he realised how involved it really was.’

‘Structurally, the project was complex because the back of the house was being rebuilt and they were making level changes’ The contractor walked off the site with six months to go, leaving Andrew and Lotti high and dry. No other firms wanted to take on the partially finished work. But Andrew didn’t let that deter him – he became the project manager and hired individual trades to complete the build. The couple were also hands-on when it came to procuring materials, even travelling to Belgium to select the marble for the kitchen island.

After a challenging 18 months, the project was finished in time for the first national lockdown. ‘The house has massively enhanced our lives,’ says Andrew.

‘I’m a real foodie, so I love the kitchen. It’s a fantastic space in which to be a messy chef.’

He also acknowledges the lessons that were learnt along the way. ‘I’d do a lot more due diligence on the building firm next time,’ he says. ‘If you’re going to spend 12 months working with someone, you’ve got to have the confidence they’ll deliver what you want.’

Despite the problems, Andrew has not been deterred from taking on another scheme in the future. ‘I can imagine doing another build in the next few years,’ he says. ‘My next goal is to find a patch of land and build a house from scratch.’

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HOMES LONDON

ABOVE AND LEFT In the en-suite bathroom tadelakt lime plaster is paired with a marble basin and countertop.

A freestanding tub and luxury brassware add a touch of opulence RIGHT Andrew and Lotti’s bedroom spans the width of the entire first floor. Bespoke joinery along one wall creates an unbroken link with the en suite

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HOMES LONDON

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HOMES LONDON Smoked oak flooring adds texture in Andrew and Lotti’s bedroom

S U PPL I E R S – PROJECT TEAM Architect DeDraft (dedraft.co.uk) Structural engineer SD Structures (sd-stuctures.com) Building Control ACT Surveyors (actsurveyors.com) VAT consultant Landmark PT (landmarkpt.com) STRUCTURE Windows and doors IQ Glass (iqglassuk.com)

46 NOVEMBER 2021 /

Corten steel supplier Eltherington (eltherington.co.uk) Corten steel cladding installer Adam Carter (07804 193858) Roofing Cure It (cureit.com) Rooflights Glazing Vision (glazingvision.co.uk) Fire suppression Quenchfire (quenchfire.co.uk) Fire curtain Coopers (coopersfire.com)

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FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Kitchen and joinery McCormack Joinery (mccormackjoinery.co.uk) Flooring Arbony (arbony.com) Lighting Apparatus Studio (apparatusstudio. com), AlexAllen Studio (alexallenstudio.com) Tadelakt Tadelakt London (tadelaktlondon.co.uk) Marble and stone Hullebusch (hullebusch.be) Sanitaryware and brassware Porter (porterbathroom.com)

Ironmongery Joseph Giles (josephgiles.com) Brick pavers Chelmer Valley (chelmervalley.co.uk) FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Vase Faina (yakusha.design) Charlotte Perriand Meribel chairs Antiqbr (01666 502888) Vincent Van Duysen Atelier table St-Paul Home (home-st-paul.com)

Glass EauZone Framed Wet Room Panel Gold Mesh. Shower Tray Universal Linear. Brassware Swadling Brassware Absolute. Finish Brushed Brass.

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HOMES SOMERSET

The far pavilion The pared-back design of this new home was devised to complement its stunning rural setting WORDS CAROLINE EDNIE PHOTOGR APHY DAVID BARBOUR

The new-build house sits unobtrusively in the landscape, and has discreet solar panels on the roof

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IN BRIEF –

LOCATION Near Minehead, Exmoor, Somerset TYPE OF PROPERTY Single-storey detached house BEDROOMS 3 PROJECT STARTED March 2018 PROJECT FINISHED January 2019 SIZE 270sqm, including separate gym and artist’s studio BUILD COST £480,000

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HOMES SOMERSET

hen Paul and Vivienne Lower found a house for sale in 2013, they were attracted by its sheltered location. It stood on a hillside in Exmoor National Park, hidden from view by leafy hedgerows and tall trees. ‘The site is two minutes’ walk from the village, but it’s completely private,’ says Vivienne. ‘Even people who had lived in the area all their lives didn’t know of it.’

The couple, who are both in their fifties, had recently retired from careers in the video-gaming industry. ‘We were based in London for most of our working lives, but have been holidaying in this part of Somerset for around

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20 years,’ says Vivienne. ‘We used to have a second home in the area, so we’ve got friends nearby and we wanted to make a permanent move to Exmoor one day.’

The house they bought was a chalet-style bungalow built by the previous owners. ‘We couldn’t decide what to do with it,’ says Paul. After weighing up the practicalities and cost of upgrading the property, they concluded that knocking it down and starting again was the only way to create a home more suited to the beautiful landscape.

Paul and Vivienne began searching for an architect familiar with designing for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and found Glasgow-based Daniel Bär. ‘He shared our thoughts on architecture and design, favouring

The house nestles into the contours of the hill and has pale brick walls to minimise its visual impact

MAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2021 51

Paul and Vivienne chose a white kitchen with handleless doors from Ikea. It’s teamed with oak worksurfaces from a specialist supplier LEFT The dining table sits beside a run of sliding glass doors giving views of the garden

The couple concluded that starting again was the only way to create a home more suited to the beautiful landscape a contemporary, restrained look with an emphasis on space and light,’ says Paul.

Daniel produced preliminary drawings and the couple made a minor change before a detailed submission was presented to the local planning authority. ‘If a design is deemed to be outstanding then it is looked on more favourably,’ says Daniel. ‘As we were seeking planning for a replacement building, the new house could be no higher than the original, but we were able to increase the footprint by 10 per cent. The process was long, but we had a great case officer without whom it wouldn’t have been approved.’

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HOMES SOMERSET A run of built-in storage hides the TV, with recessed shelving beneath to display artwork and sculpture BELOW The glazed pivoting front door is sheltered by a porch.

A black lacquered timber panel disguises a store cupboard

Paul and Vivienne stayed at their London flat throughout the build. ‘We came down every month for a site visit, but the whole process was remarkably problem-free,’ says Paul. ‘Our builder worked really well with Daniel, and that made everything very simple.’

The timber-frame structure took ten months to complete. Clad in white brick, it features large expanses of glazing and a single-ply membrane roof that includes several rooflights. ‘It is essentially a pavilion,’ Daniel explains. ‘The front and back walls of the property are a mirror image of one another. When the two sets of glass doors on opposite sides of the building are opened, you are basically under a roof in the garden.’

Because it’s sheltered by the hill and close to the sea, the site has its own microclimate that helps to promote outdoor living. ‘It never gets too hot or too cold,’ explains Vivienne. ‘Even in the winter we rarely switch on the heating as the sun’s warmth through the glazing is sufficient. We have a ground-source heat pump and 54 OCTOBER 2021 /

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Paul and Vivienne’s bedroom is in one wing of the house and has its own patio and outdoor seating area to take advantage of the morning sun

F L O O R PL A N

LIVING AREA EN SUITE

EN SUITE

BEDROOM BEDROOM BATHROOM BEDROOM UTILITY ROOM

KITCHEN

DINING

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LEFT Rooflights ensure the guest en-suite bathroom is bright and airy. The vivid green mosaic-tiled walls offset the white fittings RIGHT There are two guest bedrooms at the opposite side of the house from Paul and Vivienne’s room. The photograph on the wall is by Sarah Foskett

‘Even in the winter we rarely switch on the heating as the sun’s warmth through the glazing is sufficient’ solar panels, but we pretty much forget about them.

It’s an extremely practical and energy-efficient house.’

Inside, the layout is very straightforward. An openplan living, dining and kitchen area is flanked by two bedroom wings. Paul and Vivienne’s en-suite bedroom is to the east, with two guest rooms to the west. When required, both wings can be shut off from the living space by pivoting doors.

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Simplicity was also a theme when it came to the material choices. ‘The white bricks make the house disappear against the sky, so the building has minimal impact on the landscape,’ says Paul. The interiors have plasterboard walls and concrete floors, both of which are painted white. This creates a gallery-like effect, reflecting the green of the surrounding landscape and the light, which bounces in from the water feature outside and changes throughout the day. ‘We felt we didn’t have to paint the walls in different colours,’ says Daniel.

‘The sky and the landscape add all the interest.’

The design of the house has been such a success that it is held up by planners as a positive example of how to build a contemporary home in the national park. ‘If you want to make the most of a countryside plot, build the simplest house possible,’ advises Daniel.

HOMES SOMERSET

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S U PPL I E R S – PROJECT TEAM Architect Daniel Bär (danielbararchitect.com) Structural engineer SF Structures Scotland (sfstructures.com) Contractor Ware Construction (wareconstruction.co.uk) Quantity surveyor Gates Consultants (gatesconsultants.co.uk) STRUCTURE Bricks Wienerberger (wienerberger.co.uk)

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Windows Fenster Architectural Glazing (fensteruk.net) FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Kitchen Ikea (ikea.com) Kitchen worksurfaces Norfolk Oak (norfolkoak.com) Woodburning stove Spartherm (spartherm.com) Light fittings Astro Lighting (astrolighting.com) Paint Little Greene (littlegreene.com) Built-in furniture, shelves and doors Ware Construction Bathroom tiles Kinorigo (kinorigo.com)

Duravit bathroom sinks CP Hart (cphart.co.uk) Showers Victoria Plum (victoriaplum.com) FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Sofas Camerich (camerich.co.uk), Knoll (knoll.com) Beds Camerich, Habitat (habitat.co.uk) Curtains Stella Creations (stellacreations.co.uk) Artworks Ann Farley (annfarley.com), Sarah Foskett (sarahfoskett.com), Hassel Smith (hasselsmith.com), Saatchi Art (saatchiart.com)

HOMES SOMERSET

ABOVE A Hassel Smith painting hangs on Paul and Vivienne’s bedroom wall, with works by local artist Ann Farley over the bed RIGHT The couple’s en suite features pale green tiles to reflect the surrounding landscape. The large painting is by Vivienne

MAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2021 59

HOMES SOMERSET

Daniel designed a water feature that is set into the tiled terrace and reflects light back into the house

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ADVERTISING PROMOTION Skyhouse in Sussex is an A+ EPC-rated property producing more energy than it consumes

A SMART MOVE Use technology to increase your home’s energy efficiency with this advice from Baufritz Creating an energy-efficient home poses a set of challenges which can be addressed by using smart technology.

All houses need to breathe. Once all the draughts and thermal bridges have been removed, different approaches are needed to manage ventilation. The inclusion of a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system manages air flow while minimising heat loss. By including sensors within the house you can make sure that ventilation is efficiently managed.

Modern houses can optimise solar gain by using the sun as a heat source.

But in summer, when the sun is strongest, there is a risk of overheating.

By including a smart shading system, which can be programmed to reduce the effect of the sun, it’s easy to maintain the ideal temperature.

During the colder months, when solar gain is at its lowest, all but the most energy-efficient houses require

additional heat sources. As long as a house has excellent insulation, ground- or air-source heat pumps can deliver zero-carbon heat.

By including solar power and photovoltaic (PV) panels in its houses, Baufritz offers an alternative approach to reducing a building’s energy consumption. A normal domestic PV should deliver around 3.5kWh of electricity per year, which is roughly 50 per cent of the average household’s consumption. Providing your house is energy-efficient, PV can generate more than enough electricity for your needs.

As homes have become more digitalised, smart devices can work together to control the systems required to run them. It is very important to bear this in mind when designing your new home. Think of it as a single integrated ecosystem, and include a services layer built into the fabric, then the sky’s the limit.

TOP Smart technology ensures the homeowner is in control ABOVE Services should be built into the fabric of a home ● For more information, call 01223 235632 or visit baufritz.co.uk MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 61

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HOMES SOUTH AFRICA Liani and Jan Douglas at the front of their renovated house with their dog Frank

Taking a different angle From the front, this Victorian house seems unchanged, but at the back a realigned roof and wall of glass signal a space-enhancing transformation WORDS ROBYN ALEX ANDER ST YLING SVEN ALBERDING PHOTOGR APHY WARREN HEATH/BUREAUX /LIVING INSIDE

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HOMES SOUTH AFRICA

IN BRIEF –

LOCATION Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa TYPE OF PROPERTY Semi-detached Victorian cottage BEDROOMS 3 PROJECT STARTED February 2018 PROJECT FINISHED September 2018 SIZE 140sqm BUILD COST Around £100,000

S

uccessful renovation projects strike a careful balance between maintaining a building’s character and incorporating modern interventions. A prime example is this recently renovated home in Green Point, a densely developed suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. ‘When we found the house back in 2012, we thought it had a beautiful old soul,’ says Liani Douglas, 40. She and her husband Jan, 42, run an architecture and design studio, and they both felt inspired by the property. ‘But we knew that any changes made in the future had to preserve that feeling,’ she adds.

A single-storey cottage dating from the late 1800s, the house was built by one of the city’s early commercial developers, but had been rather neglected. Its interior had undergone an assortment of alterations over the years, and Liani and Jan saw the project as an exciting opportunity.

‘We decided to live here for a few years before making any changes,’ says Liani. ‘We wanted to understand things such as where the light falls at different times of the day and at different points in the year. It was a good job we waited because, if we’d started straight away, we might have done things very differently.’

ABOVE A piece by South African artist and comics creator Anton Kannemeyer hangs over the sideboard in the dining area LEFT The Stonekeeper-MMXVI coffee table by Douglas & Company is made from powder-coated steel and marble

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The ground floor includes seating, dining and cooking areas within an open-plan layout.

A new staircase leads up to the snug/office

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HOMES SOUTH AFRICA

F L O O R PL A N S DECK

COURTYARD KITCHEN BEDROOM

BEDROOM

SNUG/OFFICE DINING ROOM VOID STORE ROOM

VOID

LIVING ROOM

STUDY

VERANDA

COURTYARD

LOWER GROUND FLOOR

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GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

HOMES SOUTH AFRICA

ABOVE The mismatched chairs include vintage pieces, a slatted Douglas & Company prototype in ash and a black steel bench RIGHT Liani looks towards the small, enclosed, brick-paved courtyard that leads off the kitchen

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HOMES SOUTH AFRICA

‘We wanted to understand things such as where the light falls at different times of the day and at different points in the year’

ABOVE The final twist of the stairs is made from powder-coated steel, creating a graphic, sculptural element that draws the eye upwards

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Their carefully considered interventions began with raising the angle of the rear section of roof.

‘We left the ridge in the same place, but angled the roof differently, allowing us to add a level at the back,’ says Liani. This new space, which overlooks the living area and the rear courtyard, serves to bring in natural light. It includes a snug, which doubles as a home office, and sits alongside Liani and Jan’s bedroom and bathroom.

The ground-floor layout is typical for a Victorian cottage, and the couple kept it largely unchanged. ‘We retained the floor plan downstairs to stay true to the house, but we enlarged some of the doorways to link together the living area, dining space and kitchen,’ MAGAZINE.COM

Liani explains. There is also a small bathroom on the ground floor, plus a further two rooms that can be used as guest bedrooms, one of which leads out onto the enclosed courtyard at the back of the house.

Liani and Jan restored all the wooden floors and reused the roof trusses that were removed during the alterations, turning them into a screen wall for the staircase, timber posts in the living area and kitchen shelves. Original features such as the fireplace, which was rescued from under layers of paint, were renovated too.

From the outside, the front of the house appears almost unaltered apart from the addition of the two dormer windows, which blend well with the Victorian architecture. The couple did renovate the veranda, but were careful to maintain its proportions and the decorative wrought-iron railings.

Liani and Jan filled the house with many of their own furniture designs. ‘We like to play with colour and form,’ says Liani. ‘But there is a serious undertone because we also want our furniture to stand the test of time. Our architectural style goes hand in hand with this approach, and so they complement each other. But whereas the construction industry is a slowly turning wheel, taking a couple of years for ideas to come to fruition, furniture design is much more immediate.’

The two disciplines merge at certain points in the house. ‘One of our pieces of furniture looks like part of a staircase – it certainly has echoes of the staircase we added to the house,’ Liani says. ‘And we translated the design of the handles on the sideboard in the dining room into the new kitchen cupboards. It was good to be able to road-test some of the concepts and materials in this way.’

The full-length glazing on the new south-facing upper level has opened the rear of the cottage to an unexpectedly charming urban rooftop view, with Signal Hill rising up beyond. ‘The house was special even before the renovations,’ says Liani. ‘But now it is a real delight and an immense source of joy.’

A built-in vanity unit in the upstairs bathroom is made from steel and topped with laminated timber reclaimed during the renovation

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Liani and Jan’s bedroom features a glazed wall with sliding doors and a simple black metal balustrade

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HOMES SOUTH AFRICA Opening up the sliding doors on the new level allows Liani and Jan to enjoy the views over the surrounding rooftops to the countryside beyond

S U PPL I E R S – PROJECT TEAM Architect Douglas & Company (douglasandco.co.za) Building and plumbing DGM Construction (dgmconstruction.co.za) Engineer Gadomski Consulting Engineers (gadomski.co.za) Joinery Holz Cabinetry (holz.co.za) Solar heating Northface Solar (northfacesolar.co.za) FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Kitchen taps Crestial (crestial.com) Kitchen sink Blanco (blanco.com)

Bathroom tap Isca (lixil.co.za) Bathroom basin Cotto (cotto.com) Stove and hob Smeg (smeg.com) Track lighting Spazio Lighting (spaziolighting.com) FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Dining room table, hanging lamp, slatted dining chair, drinks trolley, sideboard, coffee table, outdoor table and standing lamp Douglas & Company Steel Quaker bench Gregor Jenkin (gregorjenkin.com)

Sofa Weylandts (weylandts.co.za) Alvar Aalto armchair 26 Artek (artek.fi) Hay J110 chair Créma Design (cremadesign.co.za) Fox cushions Donna Wilson (donnawilson.com) Cisne globe lamp LEDS C4 (leds-c4.com) Terracotta vase Country Road (countryroad.com.au) Artworks Abigail Harper (abigailharper.net), Anton Kannemeyer (antonkannemeyer.com), Gabrielle Raaff (gabrielleraaff.com), Morné Visagie (mornevisagie.com)

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 71

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PROJECTS

PHOTOGRAPHY FERNANDO MANOSO

This ingenious house was built on an infill site in east London. Turn to page 83 for more

How to build a Passivhaus

10 houses on tricky plots

Basement conversion ideas

Buyer’s guide to sofas

75

83

95

107

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PROUD TO SUPPLY ALL ASPECTS OF ARCHITECTURAL METALWORK

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PROJECTS GRAND BUILD

In 2010 Helen and Chris Seymour-Smith built England’s first Passivhaus, in the Cotswolds. The fourbedroom home lies beneath an old barn, which was rebuilt to satisfy planning requirements

Guide to Passivhaus How to build a sustainable, energy-efficient home that’s a pleasure to live in WORDS K ATE DE SELINCOURT

Passivhaus homes are extremely comfortable during winter and summer, and use remarkably little energy. This is achieved by taking advantage of the basic rules of physics. In the British climate these buildings need generous insulation, tripleglazed windows, high levels of airtightness, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems. Insulation and airtightness make the house quiet as well as cosy, while carefully designed shading prevents overheating. The ventilation system supplies fresh air to each room – but the windows can also be opened whenever you want.

What is the theory?

Passivhaus is the brainchild of physicist Professor Wolfgang Feist and construction engineer Professor Bo Adamson.

Inspired by the pioneering super-insulated solar buildings of the 1970s, they applied their scientific understanding to developing a reliable, affordable approach to minimising a building’s energy demand while maximising comfort.

At the heart of the standard is the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software, which enables a certified designer to test and refine exactly how the entire house will work before it is built.

The three pillars of the Passivhaus process are: 1. The analysis – using tried and tested physics-based software (PHPP).

2. The standard – setting targets for energy use, comfort and ventilation system performance that must all be met.

3. Certification – having a third-party check of the design and construction by an independent expert, giving you confidence that the house will work as intended.

The combination of analysis, targets and checking means Passivhaus homes perform consistently. Non-Passivhaus

homes in the UK are not designed to such high standards and use on average 40 per cent more energy than intended – sometimes three times as much, according to a 2019 report by the Passivhaus Trust.

Commit early on The process is much easier and cheaper if you set out to build a Passivhaus from the start. The early decisions about the shape of the house, its orientation, and the size and position of the windows all have an impact on heat loss and gains. Sometimes this type of project can even help win planning permission – local authorities committed MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 75

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PROJECTS GRAND BUILD

Hope View House in the Malvern Hills, Herefordshire, was planned as a Passivhaus.

The two-bedroom home faces due south and the glazing is set 1.5m back behind a stone-clad arcade in order to prevent overheating

to cutting carbon have been known to favour new homes which are exemplars of lowcarbon construction.

Although a south-facing site can be helpful for attaining Passivhaus standard, it isn’t essential. Passivhaus homes have been built on all sorts of awkward sites – even partly underground.

Passivhaus homes have been built on all sorts of awkward sites – even partly underground detailing the locations of all its members, including certified architects, design consultants and contractors (passivhaustrust.org.uk).

It takes teamwork Where to get advice You will need the help of a certified designer who has been trained and passed a comprehensive exam. This can be your architect, but it doesn’t need to be. You can also employ a Passivhaus consultant to work with your design and construction team. The Passivhaus Trust has a useful interactive map

The exacting design calculations must be translated into precise construction, which means your contractor and the entire team need to be fully committed to the plan. Twoway communication is key.

In successful Passivhaus projects the designer often learns from the builder, who will know best what will work on site. Problems most often

arise when a mistake is not spotted in time. To stay on track, things can’t be bodged or covered up. It’s important the site team is on board so they don’t end up having to go back and redo things.

extensive glazing, it will be harder to achieve the necessary standard. The walls may need to be thicker, the doors and windows higher spec – it all gets more expensive. On the other hand, a smaller surface area means fewer building materials.

You save money and energy, reducing the building’s impact on the planet’s resources.

Design choices

The certification process

A Passivhaus home can be built in many shapes and sizes, and from all sorts of materials, from the most natural to the most highly engineered. But as physics tells us: the bigger a surface area, the more heat will be lost. So if your design is long and low, has numerous overhangs and setbacks, or

First, the certifier checks the design. As the house is built the construction team keeps records and, finally, the completed house has an airtightness test to confirm there are no leaks, and the ventilation is tested to ensure it runs effectively and quietly. When the certifier is satisfied that everything MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 77

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PROJECTS GRAND BUILD

PASSIVHAUS PRINCIPLES

MAKE A PLAN Tips from Sally Godber, an engineer and Passivhaus designer and certifier at Warm (peterwarm.co.uk)

1. Highly insulated building fabric 2. Solar orientation and control 3. High-performance glazing

● The PHPP design tool helps

to optimise building form and glazing, as well as U-values, component specification and more. The sooner your design is assessed in this software, the sooner you can start following the guidance in order to ensure a straightforward, economical build.

4. Airtight enclosure 5. Balanced ventilation system

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● Get to grips with what

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you need to know. There are in-person and online training courses for professionals and self-builders, and lots more web content to ensure you’re well prepared. Ask your Passivhaus specialist everything you need – the more you know, the better your decisions will be. You may even want to become a certified consultant yourself. ● A good attitude combined

with experience should be a recipe for success. But a fully experienced team isn’t always available. In that case, a willingness to learn, seek advice and make changes to the ‘normal’ way of doing things are just as valuable. ● Getting certified is a

is in place, you get a document to prove certification – you can even have a plaque to fix to your wall.

PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS TUBBS

Pricing up Passivhaus generally costs a little more than a standard build. Just how much greatly depends on the simplicity or complexity of the design, but it will cost a minimum of around 5 per cent more overall.

As a rough guide to the cost of Passivhaus specifics, a good ventilation system is around £4,000-£6,000, and testing and certification might add £2,000£3,000. A better-insulated structure and high-performance

Enthusiasts say that, for the extra money, you are not only buying comfort, but quality windows are more expensive than standard versions. Some things will be cheaper, though – the heating system will be small and simple. Enthusiasts say that for the extra money you are not only buying comfort, but quality. The components will last longer, and careful construction reduces the risk of leaks and condensation.

A sustainable solution Because of their low energy use, Passivhaus homes are ideally set up to meet all their energy needs from renewable sources and will require little or no modification when national housing standards go to zero-carbon.

They can be built with a wide range of natural materials, and many natural building enthusiasts favour this method because the minimal use of energy fits well with a desire for sustainability.

If you want to do the right thing for the planet, building to Passivhaus standard has much to recommend it.

rigorous quality-assurance procedure which means you can be confident you are getting exactly what you want. Striving for Passivhaus standard will feel like extra hassle, especially while trying to stay on budget and time, but it’ll be worth it. After completing our office to Enerphit standard and building my own Passivhaus home, I wouldn’t want to reduce the specification on any of the elements. Everything works together, and the results are amazing to work and live in.

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 79

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10 Ingenious design solutions helped these projects overcome their awkward sites

Homes on tricky plots Developers will often overlook difficult sites because trying to build on them is risky and costly. But their loss can be the self-builder’s gain, especially with a savvy architect on board.

Whether it’s a steep slope or a flood-prone riverbank, such plots dictate how a home is constructed and can lead to some exciting and original architecture.

WORDS EMILY BROOKS

1

BASEMENT SOLUTION Leyton House in east

London is the first major project for McMahon Architecture. Constructed on an infill site at the end of a 1960s terrace straddling two streets, the three-storey, two-bedroom home includes a subterranean level lit by two courtyard lightwells. The basement was key to creating enough living space for the couple who own it.

The exterior features brick on the ground floor and Siberian larch on the first floor, with street-facing windows that have been screened for privacy. Inside is a mix of timber, brick and concrete with exposed timber beams and a clay plaster wall that links all three levels.

The project cost around £2,200 per sqm. (mcmahonarchitecture.com)

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TRIANGULAR PLOT Three Piece House is a project

by Sydney architecture firm Trias in the harbour city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It was built for a couple looking to downsize. Due to planning rules regarding flood control, the three-bedroom home sits on a brick plinth, rather than being raised up on stilts, giving it a more solid presence in its suburban setting. The earthy red colour of the plinth was chosen to echo the tones of the recycled brick pavers.

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As the name suggests, the house is in three parts, each of which are skewed to follow the boundaries of the triangular plot. One part includes living spaces, another the bedrooms and these are bridged by a corridor. There’s a separate onebedroom studio apartment. Courtyards and gardens thread between the buildings, with a southern porch designed as a place for neighbours to stop and chat, plus a more private northern courtyard. The project cost around £2,535 per sqm. (trias.com.au)

PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE

3

BUSHFIRE RISK

Surrounded by gum trees in Brisbane, Australia, Mt CootTha House was designed by architecture practice Nielsen Jenkins for the sister of its co-founder and director Morgan Jenkins. The house is next to their childhood home.

Because of the plot’s susceptibility to bushfires and steep gradient, the firm designed a single-storey building that steps down various levels. The blockwork walls and corrugated metal roofs were specified to meet building standards for fire protection, while the hard surfaces and angular shapes are softened by planting.

The levels are linked via a central staircase and sets of meandering stairs. Picture windows capture views of the trees and the landscape, and the internal spaces spill out onto courtyards at the side.

The 292sqm, three-bedroom house cost around £2,342 per sqm. (nielsenjenkins.com)

The blockwork walls and corrugated metal roofs were specified to meet building standards for fire protection, while the hard surfaces are softened by planting

4

SMART GEOMETRY

This contemporary house in New Cross, south London, was designed by architecture practice Selencky Parsons in the tight space where an old coach house once stood.

The new 3.4m-wide building is narrow at the front, but it follows an L-shaped layout, wrapping around the house next door and opening up to a generous single-storey living space at the rear.

The neighbouring property, now split into three flats, has a small courtyard garden, maximising the site’s potential by using every bit of space.

The four-bedroom house has a bold, contemporary look that includes full-height glazing and deep overhangs between each floor. (selenckyparsons.com)

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PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE

5

CLEVER PLANNING To gain permission

to build a home on a greenbelt site in Cookham, Berkshire, architecture practice Spratley & Partners took a piecemeal approach to planning. It initially proposed a small outbuilding, followed by a basement and first floor. Further extensions were completed under permitted development (PD).

The design was inspired by agricultural buildings, especially the

pitched zinc-covered roof and pre-weathered burnt timber exterior, and this helps it complement the rural setting.

Built for a couple with four grown-up children, the main body of the three-bedroom house contains a living room, dining area and kitchen, snug and boot room, with a cinema, plant room and store room in the basement. From a cantilevered wing, the main bedroom looks out over the garden that wraps around the house.

It cost around £900,000. (spratley-partners.uk)

6

A TAPERED FOOTPRINT

Built for £300,000 (excluding fees) for a mother and her grown-up daughter, this two-bedroom, 90sqm home in Forest Hill, south-east London, makes the most of its wedgeshaped plot.

Studio Bam!’s design has a triangular footprint that skirts the perimeter of the site, tapering from 7m wide at the back to 2m at the front.

A triangular courtyard sits at the heart of the house, letting light into the ground-floor bedroom and the open-plan kitchen and living space. Another bedroom and a bathroom are reached via a winding set of stairs.

To keep costs down, the interiors have a limited materials palette including whitewashed spruce, pale terrazzo, birch plywood and exposed steel. (studio-bam.com)

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ON A STEEP SLOPE Tim Wernham of

Constructive Architecture built this threebedroom house in Wellington, New Zealand, for himself, his partner Tara and daughter Sadie. Standing on a hill with an average incline of 40 degrees, it appears to defy gravity. The shape was dictated by strict planning rules about height and access to daylight – rules that weren’t originally envisaged for steep slopes – so it took a while for the planners to agree on its design.

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Access is via tight, winding roads, so the couple had to find a specialist company with a particularly small digger to carry out the groundworks. All the materials, including the timber frames, arrived on a trailer and were carried inside for assembly.

As a reward for all their hard work, the family can now enjoy views out over the bush canopy from the cosy, timber-filled interior. Tim estimates that a similar home would cost around £2,825 per sqm. (constructivearchitecture.co.nz)

PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE

8

FLOOD PROTECTION Sitting on the banks of

the river Loddon in Wargrave, Berkshire, the three-bedroom Narula House by John Pardey Architects was built for a couple. It was designed to withstand a worst-case scenario flood depth of 1.17m, plus rising water levels due to climate change. Putting a house on stilts is an age-old solution, but here it’s done in a strikingly contemporary way.

In contrast to the meandering Loddon, the 330sqm home is linear and angular, standing 2.2m above the water. It is built from steel on piled foundations, with access via open-tread staircases at the front and back. The elevation also gives wonderful views over the river, both from inside the house and from the sheltered glass-balustraded balcony that runs the length of the living space. The build cost was £2 million. (johnpardeyarchitects.com)

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PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE

9

BELOW GROUND Built

for a musician and his wife on a modest plot at the end of a garden near Victoria Park, east London, this two-bedroom, 40sqm house was designed by architecture practice Kennedytwaddle to make clever use of concrete.

The small front exterior belies a much larger interior because the basement extends under the garden, with lightwells at the front and rear bringing in daylight. Below ground, the concrete was cast in situ, retaining its tactile board markings. Above ground, there are prefabricated panels with slim depths, which help to maximise the amount of internal space.

The exterior concrete gets progressively more refined higher up, a tradition borrowed from classical architecture. Inside, joinery made from birch plywood, including open-tread staircases that help to distribute the light, combine craftsmanship and simplicity. (kennedytwaddle.com)

10

NARROW BUILD

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PHOTOGRAPHY JIM STEPHENSON, SAMUEL HARTNETT, PETER SELLAR, HENRY WOIDE, TOM ROSS, FERNANDO MANOSO, RICHARD CHIVERS, NIKI BOROWIECKI

This family home in mid-town Toronto, Canada, slots into a space between two houses where a garage had been.

Rather than copying its red-brick Victorian neighbours, the 3.96m-wide, two-bedroom house has a timber and rendered façade, yet it respects the scale, height and glazing of other properties in the street. Designed by Drew Mandel Architects for Drew and his wife Denise, the house occupies a space so tight that, once the steel frame was in place, lightweight building materials were delivered by hand, effectively building it from the inside out.

The layout is dictated by the availability of light, with the bathrooms in the centre of the house and the living spaces at the front and back. To make up for the narrow width, the design focuses on the three-storey home’s soaring dimensions, with a doubleheight space above the kitchen bringing in light via glazing in the roof and pivoting glazed doors at the front and rear. The project cost around £3,390 per sqm. (drewmandelarchitects.com) MAGAZINE.COM

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MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 93

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PROJECTS BASEMENT CONVERSIONS

Sketch Architects (sketch-architects.co.uk) transformed the cellar of this south-west London terraced home, linking it to the ground floor with a new staircase. See more of the project overleaf

Going underground Expert advice on converting a cellar or basement into valuable extra living space WORDS JENNIFER GRIMBLE

By and large, the rooms below ground level in period homes were not designed to be living spaces. Often used for storage, they can be gloomy and damp, with low ceilings and awkward access. The potential complexity of adapting these subterranean spaces calls for specialist knowledge. ‘There are few instances where a conversion isn’t feasible. But there are some limiting factors,’ explains Rosie Caley of the OLBC Group (olbc.co.uk). ‘It may be necessary to excavate beneath the house, in which case the ground conditions must be suitable. The height of the water table will also affect the project’s viability. A home near a water course, a river, or with an exceptionally high water table can prove more expensive as the space needs to be pumped dry during construction,’ says Rosie.

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Gather a team An architect with experience of this type of build should be your first port of call. They will be able to address factors such as how the basement connects to the living spaces and how to maximise light. Employing a good builder is also important. Make sure they have previously worked on this type of project and ask to speak to their clients. Check the National House Building Council (nhbc.co.uk) and Considerate Constructors Scheme (ccscheme.org.uk) for suitable firms. Your architect may also recommend a reputable contractor.

RIGHT AND BELOW Sketch Architects excavated the basement to the full width of the four-bedroom house, creating a playroom, utility room and plant room.

The concrete structure was waterproofed with a cavity drain system from Delta Membranes (deltamembranes.com)

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PROJECTS BASEMENT CONVERSIONS

ur

FAR LEFT, LEFT AND BELOW This listed house in Highbury, north London, had a dark and hard-toaccess basementlevel kitchen and dining room. With a budget of £250,000, Appleton Weiner gained consent to alter the interior layout and build a side extension. (appletonweiner.co.uk)

Abiding by the rules Converting an existing cellar or basement may be covered under permitted development (PD), in which case it won’t need planning permission. But consent will be needed in certain circumstances, such as when the conversion signals a change of use, or the addition of a lightwell alters the building’s appearance. Listed buildings and those in a greenbelt or conservation areas also need permission. ‘Basement conversions are often regarded positively in protected areas,’ says Ben Lee of Vita Architecture (vitaarchitecture.com). ‘But always check with your local authority, as some areas have removed PD to prevent further development.’

‘Basement conversions are often regarded positively in protected areas, but always check with your local authority’ Seek guidance from your local planning authority in advance of any work. If you want to be certain that your proposal does not require planning permission, apply for a lawful development certificate (LDC). Visit the Planning Portal for further information (planningportal.co.uk).

The work needs to follow Building Regulations and the new space must comply with strict ventilation, access and dampproofing criteria. Terraced and semi-detached homes need a party wall agreement with any neighbouring properties affected by the work. ‘Search the surveyor database on the Royal Institute Of Chartered Surveyors website (rics.org) to find a local professional who can issue the correct notices,’ advises architect Stephen Butt of Lendel Stephens (lendelstephens.com).

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 97

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PROJECTS BASEMENT CONVERSIONS

Construction matters When there is insufficient headroom in the basement, the floor must be excavated to create more height.

This can be a very slow process and involves structural work such as underpinning, which is where concrete reinforcements are inserted beneath the existing walls.

‘Underpinning provides support for the structure of the house while the floor is being dug out,’ says Robert Wood, director of Simply Basement (simplybasement.co.uk). If the ground floor above is retained, steelwork, new structural slabs or foundations may be needed. Whether or not they are required depends on the scale of the conversion, the age of the house and the existing foundations.

The spaces must also be protected from water ingress. This can be done in three ways: by creating a barrier, through structural integrity, or with a cavity drainage system that diverts water from the house.

‘A specialist waterproofing contractor can design and install the appropriate solution, but always seek an insurance-backed guarantee,’ says Stephen Butt.

For the project to meet Building Regulations, insulation, ventilation and heating will also need to be addressed.

RIGHT AND BELOW This five-bedroom Victorian townhouse in Primrose Hill, north London, has a utility room and kitchen-diner on the lower level. Architectural practice Zulufish increased the ceiling height to create a bright, open space that leads out to a secluded courtyard.

The conversion costs took up £600,000 of the £1.2 million project budget. (zulufish.co.uk)

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Is it affordable?

Budget from around £2,000 per sqm for the project. ‘Basement conversions are expensive, but in areas where property costs are high, bringing a cellar into use can be financially viable,’ says David Appleton of Appleton Weiner (appletonweiner.co.uk).

Excavation work can lead to an increase in costs. If you live in the middle of a terrace, digging beneath the building and transporting the soil and rock from the site is more challenging than with a detached house. This slows down the project – and more days on site will result in a higher bill.

‘Basement conversions are expensive, but in areas where property costs are high, bringing a cellar into use can be financially viable’ Removing contaminated soil is also expensive. ‘Mixed waste or brownfill must be disposed of correctly,’ says Robert Wood. ‘To avoid unexpected expense, have a trial hole dug to determine the type of soil beneath your home.’

Ground investigations are crucial to avoiding other nasty surprises. ‘Sometimes manholes, soil pipes or inspection chambers must be moved or built around,’ Robert adds.

‘Costs vary depending on what needs to be relocated.

Unless the ground is uncovered, or a CCTV survey carried out, it’s hard to gauge how much work is required.

RIGHT, FAR RIGHT AND BELOW Both the lower ground floor and basement of this Victorian house were excavated to increase the ceiling height. EMR Architecture completely transformed the family home, which is in a conservation area of Chelsea, west London, at a cost of £1.5 million. (emrarchitecture.com)

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PROJECTS BASEMENT CONVERSIONS

GOING IN AND OUT Advice on staircases and means of escape from Rosie Caley, design director, OLBC Group (olbc.co.uk) ● Cellar staircases tend to be steep, with limited headroom.

Building Regulations demand a 2m distance from the centre of each tread to the ceiling.

As a result, it’s likely that your steps will need a longer run to get the required height. You may need to reconfigure your space at ground-floor level by removing a toilet or utility space, for example. ● If you’re short on space,

having the basement staircase beneath the main flight above will save you room. ● Replicating the spindles

and handrail style of the main staircase in the basement balustrade ensures a co-ordinated look. ● Glass balustrading allows light in and increases the sense of space. ● Building Regulations are

very clear. You must protect against the threat of fire and smoke by providing either a secondary means of escape or a protected means of escape. The former is usually a staircase or ship’s ladder in a front lightwell, allowing you to get away from both the building and the grounds.

Escaping to an enclosed garden is not sufficient. ● A protected means

of escape entails fitting suppression devices such as misting systems or fire curtains.

The latter are released from the ceiling to create a protective corridor. Either can be triggered by a smoke-detection system. ● When it comes to external

PHOTOGRAPHY ADAM SCOTT, LYNDON DOUGLAS

access, lightwells often include steps up to the garden, which helps meet Building Regulations around access.

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Made with UK-sourced aluminium, the S1 is manufactured in Derbyshire at Sheerline’s state-of-the-art facility.

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TOP A Sheerline S1 roof lantern helps to flood this kitchen with light, creating a calming interior space ABOVE Pictured in anthracite grey, the S1 features ultra-low line glazing bars for a sleek appearance ● To discover more about the S1 or explore Sheerline’s windows and doors, visit sheerline.com/balance

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For the past 50 years the Stressless chair has been a byword for comfort. Launched in 1971, the globally renowned recliner has always adhered to the principle that form should follow function.

for the company, there are also additional heating and massage options.

Strong eco credentials Sustainability is a value that is deeply ingrained in the company’s DNA. Its wood-treatment production line uses environmentally friendly products such as water-based stains and varnish. And in 2021 its Norwegian factory became completely powered by clean hydropower energy. The high quality of Stressless products means that customers are investing in furniture which is built to last, and which will have less environmental impact.

Comfort is king With its patented systems, Stressless has developed the best resting positions for every part of the body. The Stressless Glide system makes it possible to shift seating positions using body weight alone. The Plus system adjusts to the correct head, neck and lumbar positions. These systems are cleverly hidden within the sleek design of the furniture.

A rich heritage The company is rooted in the Scandinavian furniture tradition, featuring simple designs with leather and wooden accents. Each day 1,150 recliner chairs, 250 sofas and 300 dining chairs leave the Stressless factory in the small village of Ikornnes near Alesund on the Norwegian west coast. In the past decade the company has expanded its portfolio of products to include sofas, home office chairs and a dining range with the same emphasis on comfort.

Honouring the past Beautiful and smart Recently Stressless has designed and launched a range of powered recliner chairs and power sofas. Scott is an elegant-looking recliner with a multitude of functions available at the touch of a button via the control pad. The back and seat are slightly curved, and you can adjust the footrest, the tilt of the backrest and the neck support for the perfect seated position while you sink into the supple upholstery. In a first

In its 50th anniversary year Stressless is pairing the iconic base from the Original, its first chair from 1971, with modern models Metro, London and Tokyo. The base is a lightweight and elegantly curved steel design in a matt black or chrome finish, lending the result a distinctive retro look. ● For more information, visit stressless.com

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PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

FOCUS ON

Sofas How to find the perfect style, the ideal fit and the comfiest seat in the house WORDS CAROLINE RODRIGUES

Your options for buying a new sofa are greater than ever before. At the lower end of the price scale, shopping online allows you to have a ready-made design on your doorstep within a few days.

Major retailers offer a multitude of shapes, fillings and fabrics to choose

from, while high-end stores are where to seek out more exclusive styles. If you want a bespoke design, there are smaller specialist companies that offer a tailor-made approach, which can be particularly useful if you need a nonstandard size.

This contemporary sofa has foam and feather cushioning.

Compose three-seater in Kvadrat Fiord 771, W240x D94xH69cm, £3,549, Twentytwentyone (twentytwentyone.com)

SELECT A STYLE Consider how you will use the sofa as well as how you want it to look. You should look for a style that suits your room while being comfortable to sit on, lie on – or both.

A high scroll arm with a sprung back is formal and ideal for sitting in an upright position, whereas a design with low square arms and a squashy, deep seat is relaxed and great for lying on. A big sofa with several seats suits cosy family evenings watching TV, but a pair of two-seaters facing each other might work better in a grown-up snug.

Sectional and modular sofas give you the option to adapt the design as required. The sections clip together, and can be assembled in L or U configurations. ‘You can add to them and reconfigure them as your needs change,’ says Sally Bailey, the owner and co-founder of Baileys (baileyshome.com).

ABOVE Roomy enough to seat four, this shapely sofa has a textured fabric cover, deep cushions and tapered oak legs. The seats and back are in foam and fibre, the cushions in feather and fibre.

Ercol Novara Grand sofa in N136 fabric, W228xD96xH93cm, from £2,420, Ercol (ercol.com) MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 107

A QUESTION OF SPACE Always measure the room carefully before starting your search. You could even place a sofa-sized paper template on the floor to give you a clear idea of which dimensions will work best.

Make sure that the sofa won’t block routes across the room.

This is particularly important in an open-plan space, so allow 60cm of clearance around it. It’s also vital to ensure the sofa will fit through any openings into the room. Measure the doorways and, if necessary, staircases, and if access is tricky look at sectional options or designs where the arms and/or legs bolt on after delivery. Sofa-in-a-box companies such as Snug (snugsofa.com) and Swyft (swyfthome.com) provide designs that come in several packages to assemble at home.

RIGHT Join together a lounger, sofa sections and a corner unit to fit your space. These have a sustainable FSC hardwood frame, supportive steel serpentine spring seats, and cushions in fibre fill with a foam core. Loft corner sofa in Espresso linen, W357xD175/267xH83cm, £9,410, Baileys (baileyshome.com)

GET THE PERFECT FIT It’s best to try out several sofas in store to find the seat depth, height and back support that work for you. You’ll be spending a lot of time sitting down, so make sure your bottom is against the back cushion, your thighs parallel to the floor and your feet flat. It might be possible to make small adjustments to the seat height by changing the legs or adding casters, so ask your supplier for advice.

Bespoke sofas can be tailored to suit your shape, but this comes at a cost.

Sofas with recliner seats let you stretch out, and some adjust as you shift position.

‘The BalanceAdapt system, hidden beneath the sofa cushioning, tilts the seat and back cushion, responding to your body’s movement while supporting your neck and lower back,’ says Anna-Marie Warren, advertising and brand manager at Stressless (stressless.co.uk).

LEFT Hidden within this sofa is a system that tilts the seat and back cushions as you move. It’s available in different seat widths, with corner and long seat options, plus additional headrest and footstool options.

Stressless Stella two-seat sofa in Paloma copper leather, W197xD93xH78/98cm, £3,478, Stressless (stressless.co.uk) 108 NOVEMBER 2021 /

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PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

THE INSIDE STORY Top-quality sofas have a hardwood frame, often beech, held together with dowels, screws and glue. Lower-priced models are made of softwoods – usually pine – and wood-composite materials that are glued and stapled together. Frames can also be made of metal. To get some idea of the sofa’s stability, grasp the back and arm and twist, checking that the frame doesn’t move.

Higher priced, traditionally made seat cushions include individual coil springs sewn by hand. But don’t

discount serpentine springing and webbing since these are also used in quality and more affordable sofas.

Traditionally made sofas have padding layers of wool, hair, felt and cotton wadding, while synthetic materials are common in mass-produced models. Seat and back cushions are either filled with feathers, a man-made fibre or firm foam, which is often wrapped in a layer of feather or fibre for comfort and support. Feather cushions need regular plumping to keep their shape.

A classically elegant silhouette has been given a contemporary twist with a simplified scroll arm, feather-filled lumbar cushions and pillow-style back cushions. Devon three-seater sofa in Cognac Smart Luxe velvet, W175xD98xH86cm, £3,199, Heal’s (heals.com)

PICK A COVER

ABOVE Sink into the feather, fibre and foam-filled cushions of this comfy sofa. Birch hardwood, used for the main rails, ensures the frame won’t warp or bend. The frame has a 15-year guarantee. Tortona Large Scatter Sofa in Charcoal Linen, W198xD101xH69cm, £2,299, John Lewis & Partners (johnlewis.com)

‘Selecting a sofa fabric is a balance between durability and aesthetics,’ says Patricia Gibbons, a member of the design team at sofa.com. Linen is elegant, though it will crease, cotton is hardwearing and wool is cosy. Manmade fibres are long-lasting, and often blended with natural fibres for a practical finish. Aniline leather is supple but can mark, whereas semi-aniline will resist stains. Pigmented leather is hardwearing and good for heavy use. Suede and nubuck can be glamorous, but synthetic versions are more hardwearing.

Upholstery fabric’s durability is measured by the Martindale abrasion test. Something that can take 25,000 rubs before wearing away is suitable for family use, or look on the label for an ‘A’ rating, which is for heavy domestic use. If the sofa will be near a window, ask about the fabric’s light fastness. If using your own fabric, check with your sofa supplier about fire retardancy.

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PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

This relaxed, loose-cover sofa has a wood frame, sprung base and foam filling with silicone balls.

Clementine three-seater in Natural Belgium linen, W230xD107xH84cm, £4,365, foot stool, W135xD60xH42cm, £1,300, Graham and Green (graham andgreen.co.uk)

UPHOLSTERY TIPS AND TRICKS Make an old sofa as good as new with advice from master upholsterer Michael Bessell, director of 7 Upholstery (7upholstery.co.uk) ● Once the coil springs on

older traditional sofas can be seen or felt through the fabric, it means the webbing beneath could be sagging and it is time for a full upholstery service. On mid-century sofas, the padding can sag, the fabric will loosen and on occasion springs show through. Yellow dust under the sofa is a sign that the paddings have perished. ● Repairs on a mid-century

FRESHEN UP If you are concerned about keeping your sofa clean, ask about stain-retardant finishes or choose removable covers. Some have tailored covers with zips and touch-and-close fastenings, or for a relaxed fit select loose covers. Extra sets can be ordered from the sofa company or a specialist firm such as covermyfurniture.com.

ORDERING AND DELIVERY Expect an eight- to 12-week wait for a sofa that’s been made to order. But before you buy, check the guarantee – look for ten to 15 years on the frame and springing.

Measure up using the supplier’s guidelines to check that the sofa will fit through awkwardly shaped stairways or around tight corners.

Always check the returns policy, especially if your item is being made to order, as bespoke items can’t be easily exchanged. Finally, if the company is disposing of your old sofa, make sure it will be done in a climate-friendly way.

● It’s possible to change

cushion fillings, but swapping feather for foam will not give the same look, and the cover may not fit as well. We suggest a foam core with a feather wrap. If you want foam with a Dacron wrap, the cover may have to be adjusted to fit. ● All new coverings must

meet UK fire regulations, regardless of the age of the item they will be going on.

Some fabrics require an inter-liner, some must be treated with a fireproof backing, some require both.

If a fabric is made from more than 85 per cent natural fibres, it can be classified as naturally fireproof for domestic use. ● Reupholstery can take up to

25 days. Get a written quote so you know where you stand. Try to get recommendations for an upholsterer and ask for examples of their work. ● If you want to add a bit of

RIGHT Ergonomically designed with lumbar support, this sofa has a frame in solid beech, back cushions filled with feathers and side/ bolster cushions in foam. Larsen two-seat sofa in stone-brushed linen cotton, W192xD101xH86cm, £1,490, sofa.com 110 NOVEMBER 2021 /

Send the existing covers to them by post and a new set will be made up.

Firms such as Plumbs (plumbs.co.uk) visit your home to make templates for new covers.

To restore and reupholster, find a specialist at the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (upholsterers.co.uk).

sofa include fixing any serpentine springs that have come away from the frame, mending a warped or split frame and fixing legs that have broken away. Traditional sofas tend to be more sturdy. If the joints of the frame have dried out, allowing it to move, these can be fixed. Coil springs have jute webbing to hold them in place, which can deteriorate long before the springs, but is easily replaced.

detail, consider buttoning, piping on the cushions or frames, a simple stitch detail on the cushion edge, or even tassels and trims.

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WARMING INNOVATION The latest electric fire designs from Onyx are both contemporary and inviting Create a modern and stylish feature fireplace wall with the range of builtin electric designs from Onyx. This new British brand offers luxury fires with cutting-edge flame visuals and true-to-life effects.

The sleek Avanti model is configurable as a single, corner or three-sided installation so you can choose the best option to perfectly complement your room and interior design scheme.

The fire’s authentic-looking fuel bed effectively replicates the appearance of timber logs. And there’s a choice of meticulously crafted split oak or split silver birch, both giving a highly realistic effect.

You can select the Avanti flameeffect pre-sets or choose your own 112 NOVEMBER 2021 /

bespoke lighting combination, as well as speed the flames up or slow them down. Control is made easy thanks to the Eco handset or the MyFlame app, which allows you to operate the fire from your smartphone.

Why not pair the Avanti with a TV to create a feature wall? A choice of three fireplace sizes makes it possible to get a perfectly co-ordinated arrangement. Plus, your set-up can be teamed with an LED lighting strip, placed under a shelf, around the fire or surrounding your television.

Onyx Avanti electric fires can be bought from your local approved retailer, offering the best advice and the premium service you would expect from this luxury brand.

Prices start from £1,695.

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TOP Realistic-looking split oak logs in the Avanti 190RW, from £2,595 ABOVE Just one of the Avanti 150RW’s flame options, from £1,995 ● To find out more, visit onyxfires.com

Start saving money, energy and carbon emissions

Heat and cool your home sustainably with Daikin Whether you’re worried about rising energy costs today, or protecting the planet for tomorrow, you can make a difference.

Kickstart a positive change, by making the switch to a Daikin heat pump.

By using an energy-efficient heat pump to warm or cool your home, you’ll enjoy the comfort and control you expect – and save energy, too. All while minimising your impact on the planet.

You can retrofit our technology to an older property, or improve the carbon footprint of your modern home, while benefiting from government funding.

Whatever type of property you live in, we have a range of solutions designed to suit your needs – and our Sustainable Home Network experts are on-hand to guide you at every stage.

So you really can achieve total comfort without compromise. And be the Energy for Change for generations to come.

Visit energyforchange.com to kickstart your change today.

BREAKING NEW GROUNDS Introducing Siemens’ new bean-to-cup coffee machines

The all-new EQ fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines from Siemens have been designed for those who settle for nothing less than exceptional coffee. From entry-level EQ.3 compact models to the interactive EQ.9, they boast stunning design, elegant display panels and intuitive controls.

Smart technology The range’s brewing innovations work together to guarantee maximum flavour.

This starts with a high-performance ceramic 114 NOVEMBER 2021 /

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grinder, which ensures that the beans are of an even consistency, enabling the full aroma of the coffee to develop.

Next, the intelligent heater uses sensor technology to achieve an optimal drink temperature, enhancing the taste of every bean. A smart pump delivers the perfect balance of water pressure and flow speed to extract maximum flavour. Finally, all the features come together in an advanced brewing unit. Maintenance is simple due to the combined descaling and cleaning

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LEFT AND BELOW Enjoy perfectly made coffee with the EQ700

programme, which maximises drink quality, machine lifespan and overall hygiene.

Speciality drinks

No matter which drink you desire, the oneTouch function serves pure coffee indulgence at the touch of a button

No matter which drink you desire – latte, macchiato, creamy cappuccino, extrastrong espresso, or something different – the oneTouch function serves pure coffee indulgence at the touch of a button. For those who like it strong, the aroma doubleShot function creates an extra-strong espresso.

The coffee grinding and brewing process is repeated, using a reduced amount of water to prevent bitterness and to maximise intensity.

Smartphone connected The new generation of coffee machines lets you use your smartphone to select your perfect brew. Imagine waking on Sunday morning and being able to enjoy the aroma of freshly ground coffee. Or maybe you’ve

got a group of friends over and you want to take their coffee orders. Pass your phone around the table and everyone’s favourite coffee will be poured, one after the other.

All in the grind The key to good coffee is a consistent grind.

Flat burr grinders are renowned for giving a very even particle size, giving you precise control over the coffee brewing. Even better, Siemens’ machines use ceramic grinders instead of steel. They are much less likely to burn or affect the oil balance of your beans and they also retain their sharpness for longer, so you can enjoy great coffee over and over again. ● For more information, visit siemens-home.bsh-group.com

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 115

The tap that does it all 100°C BOILING, CHILLED AND SPARKLING WATER With a Quooker in your kitchen you always have 100ºC boiling water alongside regular hot and cold. Add a CUBE and you will also have chilled, filtered sparkling water – all from the same tap.

Even better, unlike a kettle, there’s no water wastage. You only get the exact amount of 100°C boiling water you need precisely when you need it and only minimal energy is used to keep the boiling water available on demand.

Add a Quooker COMBI that has an ‘A’ energy rating, and you also need never use hot water from your domestic supply for washing up ever again, saving you gallons of water and significant amounts of energy every year.

Interested? Visit quooker.co.uk or call 0345 833 3333 for our sparkling offer.

Scan the QR code to book a live virtual experience with a Quooker expert. You control the appointment and what you see. For further details and to book your own personal appointment visit www.quooker.co.uk

KITCHENS &

BATHROOMS This island is wrapped in Calacatta Light Ceramic SapienStone, from £210 per sqm, Cullifords (gerald culliford.co.uk). For more ideas, turn to page 125

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 117

KITCHEN UPGRADE

Tap and slide German manufacturer Next125 has launched a range of tall cabinets with retractable pocket doors.

Opened by a single tap, the door panels disappear into the sides of the unit with a gentle push. This NX510 Sahara Beige Matt Velvet and Elegant Oak Pearl Grey kitchen includes the Pocket System, which measures 2,190mm in height and is available in widths up to 2,800mm. £24,157.63, InHouse. (inhouseltd.co.uk)

Simply stylish Online store Lusophile’s range includes these pendants by UK brand Nove Lighting. The designs are made from sustainable cork, which is left untreated or slowly oven-baked for a darker look. Finished with brass, black metal or nude fittings, each light comes with up to 3m of cable, plus ceiling rose. Blackened pendant, H150xDia57mm, £140. (lusophile.co.uk)

New collectibles

Get on board 0zer0 is a London-based store with an online shop selling homeware and limited-edition items by independent artisans. These faceted boards, which can be used for chopping and serving, are hand-planed from sustainable UK oak by Temper Studio in Wiltshire. Each one is finished with natural oils and comes with a leather hanging cord. They are available in three sizes, or can be made to order.

Prices start from £90 for a 290x 200mm board. (ozero.com)

Furniture manufacturer Ercol has introduced L.Ercolani, a luxury brand that reinterprets the company’s original mid-century oak designs in solid ash and walnut. The handmade furniture includes this bar stool in ash, available in a natural lacquered finish or eight wood tones including Warm Grey and Vintage Red. Utility Counter Stool, H650xW390xD370mm, £320. (lercolani.com)

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KITCHEN UPGR ADE

From on high Suitable for low-pressure systems, Franke’s Gloriana mixer tap has a high swan-neck swivel spout that provides elevated clearance from the sink for bigger pots and pans. Standing 366mm tall with a reach of 194mm, it is fitted with an aerator for reduced splashing and water use, while the 90-degree rotating lever handles offer easy operation. It costs £329 in Chrome, and the SilkSteel finish is £369. (franke.co.uk)

Hushed tones A quiet extractor fan is essential in an open-plan kitchen-diner. The flush-fitting Sirio Plus from Falmec is ceiling-mounted and comes with an acoustic baffle to minimise motor noise – the maximum noise level is 64dB. Available as a ducted or recirculating model, the white tempered-glass design includes four speed settings and LED lighting that can be controlled remotely or linked to a Falmec induction hob.

Measuring L973xW588mm, it costs from £1,588. (falmec.uk)

Barista-style brew Italian brand Smeg has unveiled its first bean-to-cup coffee machine. The compact 1.4-litre capacity BCC02 offers a range of coffee styles and grinding levels, as well as frothed milk. The adjustable cup holder and nozzle height accommodate different cup and mug styles, while the descaling alarm and variable hard-water settings ensure the machine always performs well. The BCC02 Bean to Cup coffee machine, H433xW180xD336mm, comes in four matt colours – black, red, taupe or white – and costs £679.95. (smeguk.com)

Shelved is an innovative new brand producing modular steel-framed units that simply click together. Choose from pre-designed options or create your own configurations using the online 3D planner. Available in nine colours, the system is easy to move, reuse and add to. From £426.50 for a shelving unit measuring H1,655xW820xD420mm. This design is £1,910.90. (shelved.co.uk) 120 NOVEMBER 2021 /

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WORDS PAULA WOODS

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BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS One couple turned a small, dated kitchen into a light and spacious room ideal for hosting family and friends

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When Holly and her boyfriend Greg embarked on their first renovation project together, she had one stipulation. ‘The rest of the house was Greg’s, but the kitchen was my special project,’ she says.

‘What I wanted was a great party space that’s light, bright and inviting.’

Dating from the 1960s, the three-bedroom detached house in Hertfordshire needed work.

‘There was wall-to-wall lino and mad things like tiles in the cupboards,’ explains Holly. ‘The kitchen was so small that there was no space to put in a washing machine, and there was all this unboxed plumbing everywhere.’

ABOVE Moving the Faber Smart Galileo flex induction venting hob to the island opened up garden views for when Holly or Greg are cooking LEFT Handleless Infinity Plus Milano Ultra units give a streamlined look.

From £189 ABOVE RIGHT The Metallic Night Gloss island provides a striking contrast with the light, bright kitchen

‘What I wanted was a great party space that’s light, bright and inviting’ Together, she and Greg planned an extension that would more than double the footprint of the house, creating a five-bedroom home with three en-suite bathrooms, a study, a dining room and a large open-plan kitchen with an adjoining cloakroom and utility room.

‘The kitchen was so important,’ says Holly, ‘I knew exactly what I wanted. Wren were really great and helped me without any hassle.’

When lockdown prevented Holly visiting the showroom, Wren Kitchens worked with her to finalise the designs remotely, providing 3D renders and sending samples so she could check that she was happy with the colours and textures.

‘I had never designed a kitchen before, so the lockdown gave me the opportunity to do more research and gather inspiration,’ she says. ‘I ended up changing everything, including the colours and the layout I had originally wanted, but it wasn’t a problem for Wren. They just made it all happen.’

The result is a bright and airy space, with the Infinity Plus Milano Elements cabinets in Metallic Night Gloss and the Milano Ultra Camel Gloss units with gold profiles to add a sense of luxury.

The 7m-long bi-fold doors pull right back to provide a good connection between the kitchen and the 70sqm paved patio.

Holly’s changes included moving the Faber Smart Galileo flex induction venting hob, which she originally planned to have facing the back wall, to the island. She also made the island slightly bigger to accommodate more bar stools for when the couple have friends and family over.

Even the choice of appliances suits a very social kitchen, with the Bosch Serie 8 suite of microwave, steam oven and multifunction oven, plus an impressive – and well-stocked – built-in Bosch Tower fridge with an accompanying Bosch Tower freezer.

‘What can I say, I like to party!’ says Holly, ‘I wanted my kitchen to feel sparkly and fun – it’s something that represents my personality better than having a colour palette of calm blues and sages. I just really love the way it all flows together.’ ● Book your free design appointment today at wrenkitchens.com MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 123

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PROJECTS KITCHENS

On top form From eco options to hi-tech wonders, there’s an inspiring range of worksurface solutions for your kitchen WORDS PAUL A WOODS

Reuse and revamp Scour salvage yards for stone, marble or timber that can be made into a characterful worksurface.

Look out for school laboratory workbenches, which are often made from quality hardwood, as well as reclaimed floorboards and cost-effective scaffolding planks.

Extension project with bespoke kitchen painted in Black Blue from Farrow & Ball, and island worksurface made from reclaimed parquet flooring, sealed with raw oil. Design and project management, £POA, All & Nxthing (allandnxthing.com)

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Slim or chunky?

Chips off the old block

Surface depth is a factor to consider – options range from super-shallow 4mm to a standard 20-30mm up to more than 50mm, depending on the type of material.

Malton kitchen in Seal Grey with Cosentino Eternal Calacatta Gold quartz worksurface, available in thicknesses of 20mm or 30mm, from £15,000, Kitchen Makers (burbidgekitchenmakers.co.uk)

Resin-based terrazzo is durable and can include recycled waste stone or glass chippings. The random pattern of the embedded material makes each piece unique.

TE081 resin terrazzo worksurface, from £300 per sqm, Diespieker & Co (diespeker.co.uk)

Go for a greener option

Practically perfect

Eco-friendly solid surface and quartz composites include the carbon-offset Sunlit Day quartz range from Silestone (cosentino.com), and Durat (durat.com), which is made with recycled post-industrial plastic waste.

Durat worksurface, from £460 per sqm, with integrated Block II sinks, from £880 for a W430xD230xH130mm model, Surface Matter (surfacematter.co.uk)

Sintered stone, also known as porcelain, is made from natural minerals bonded together under extreme heat and pressure.

Durable and resistant to stains and chipping, it can be used to clad cabinets, walls and floors, or to wrap around an island.

Calacatta Light Ceramic SapienStone worksurface, from £210 per sqm, Cullifords (geraldculliford.co.uk)

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Pick a finish The appearance of a natural stone will be affected by the finish. Polished is bright and glossy, honed is more matt, and brushed is smooth, matt, and looks slightly paler than a polished treatment.

Antique Anorthosite stone worksurface, from £970 per sqm, Lundhs (lundhsrealstone.com)

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Industrial quality There are several benefits to choosing a metal-topped surface. Steel is easy to clean and heat resistant. Copper is antimicrobial and eco-friendly, while bronze and brass are low maintenance and create a distinctive design feature.

Forge reclaimed timber kitchen with concrete and bronze worksurfaces. The bronze surface has an aged copper patina. From £30,000, Bert & May (bertandmay.com)

Create an upstand feature

Design flexibility

Try coordinating two different materials for impact. This speckled grey quartz composite worksurface is contrasted with a boldly veined stone upstand that highlights the linear layout.

Urbo oak river-washed kitchen with Silestone Kensho polished quartz composite worksurface (cosentino.com) and quartzite White Fantasy splashback, from £30,000, Roundhouse (roundhousedesign.com)

Versatile solid surface composites from brands such as Hi-Macs (himacs.eu) and Corian (corian.uk) come in a vast number of colours, as well as the latest stone and concrete effects. They are precision-fitted for a join-free finish.

Lava Rock worksurface, from £310 per m, integrated Sparkling sink with stainless steel base, W509xD415xH197mm, £POA, Corian

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PROJECTS KITCHENS

Going all out

For hi-tech tricks

Extending a worksurface to create a breakfast bar or tabletop will require additional support if the overhang is more than 300mm. Choose brackets or glazing for hidden reinforcement.

Interior design, Boffi Burnished Gold kitchen, ceramic worksurfaces and glazed support, £POA, Retrouvius (retrouvius.com). Walls in Moss eco paint, £28.45 per litre, Francesca’s Paints (francescaspaint.com)

Some designs incorporate LED lighting and integrated wireless charging ports. TPB Tech (tpbtech.uk) has invisible induction cooktops, while Eggersmann (eggersmann.com) and Boffi (boffi.com) offer retractable surfaces.

Zerox handleless kitchen and worksurface in Fenix Matt Black with smart-ready integrated strip lighting, from £15,000, Rotpunkt (rotpunktuk.com)

Robust and refined A concrete surface cast in situ will be tailored to each kitchen, with an infinite number of designs possible. Professional installation ensures a durable and long-lasting finish.

Applying a sealant prevents water absorption and staining.

Bespoke oak-veneered plywood kitchen cabinetry, from £20,000, Uncommon Projects (uncommonprojects.co.uk).

Cantilevered concrete island worksurface, £POA, White+Reid (whiteandreid.co.uk) MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 129

Rock solid

Natural opulence

Spend or save?

Book- or slip-matched marble is where two or more slabs are carefully joined so that the pattern of veining looks continuous. It’s an expensive option, requiring regular sealing and cleaning, but for a luxury look it’s hard to beat.

Bespoke timber kitchen in Little Greene’s Basalt with Calacatta marble worksurfaces and island, from £45,000, Blakes London (blakeslondon.com)

Most bespoke kitchen companies take care of everything, from designing and sourcing materials to measuring up and fitting.

A less expensive route is to buy online or direct from suppliers, but don’t forget the cost of installation.

Turtle Green quartzite, from £950 per sqm, Cullifords (geraldculliford.co.uk)

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PHOTOGRAPHY EMMA LEWIS, MICHAEL SINCLAIR, JOCELYN LOW

All stone requires sealing to protect it from water damage and staining, but granite, travertine and slate are more impervious than marble or limestone. The slabs can be very heavy, so ensure that the cabinets are strong enough to bear the weight.

Contemporary Classic matt lacquer kitchen painted in Pitch Black Matt and Down Pipe from Farrow & Ball with Atlantic Stone granite and Nero Assoluto honed granite worksurfaces, from £30,000, Roundhouse (roundhousedesign.com)

PROJECTS KITCHENS

FOCUS ON FITTING Advice on installation from Oli Moss, senior designer at Roundhouse (roundhousedesign.com) ● When fitting any worksurface

it is vital to ensure that the base units are level and securely fixed so there will be no movement once it’s in place.

This will help reduce any stress on surface materials and will prevent potential bowing. ● Bespoke stone, quartz

composite, porcelain, metal and solid surface installations will require templating so they can be precisely and professionally cut or fabricated off site. You will need to allow one to two weeks prior to fitting by a specialist installer, but a temporary surface can be fitted so the kitchen is usable in the meantime. ● Although it is possible to

buy ready-to-fit pre-cast concrete versions, most seamless concrete and terrazzo worksurfaces are cast on site by a specialist installer. Allow time for measuring up, making the mould and pouring the concrete, plus extra for hardening and curing, a process that can take at least 30 days. ● Most laminate and timber

worksurfaces can be cut to fit on site as soon as the base units are in place, saving time and money. I recommend professional installation for the best results, but surfaces can be fitted by anyone who’s competent in DIY. ● When calculating costs, take

into consideration layout as well as material choices. Straight surface runs will inevitably be more cost-effective as they are easier to fit. Expect to pay an additional fee for each extra joint, for hob or sink cut-outs, and for drainer grooves.

A timeless appeal If you want a timber surface, choose sustainable FSC-certified hardwood such as ash, oak, beech or walnut. The wood needs treating with a suitable oil to keep it in good condition, but any scratches or stains that do occur can be sanded out.

Cabinets and worksurfaces in HeartOak solid planks, from £205 per sqm, Dinesen (dinesen.com)

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 131

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PROJECTS CASE STUDY

P R O J EC T PROFILE –

LOCATION Mill Hill, north London TYPE OF PROPERTY Semi-detached 1930s house DURATION OF BUILD 5 months SIZE 16sqm COST £30,250

A perfect combination Three different worksurfaces bring both practicality and style to this new scheme WORDS PAUL A WOODS PHOTOGR APHY PAUL CR AIG

When Suzie and Nicholas Rubin decided to add a two-storey rear extension to their 1930s family home in Mill Hill, north London, they had two main goals. ‘As well as gaining a fifth bedroom, we wanted to increase the size of the L-shaped kitchen so that it would be easier to use and a more family-friendly space,’ says Suzie.

Suzie, who is a musician, and Nicholas, a hotelier, are both in their thirties and have two children: Jagger, who is three years old, and Ace, aged one. They asked James Lai of JL Architecture (jlarchitecture.co.uk) to design

ABOVE An island gives the kitchen a new focal point, providing plenty of storage and space for serving meals. Draycott in-frame kitchen in Copse Green and Dry Rose with quartz worksurfaces, from £25,000, Life Kitchens (life-kitchens.co.uk)

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 133

PROJECTS CASE STUDY

a zinc-clad extension and also enlisted the help of Jennifer Todd from Life Kitchens (life-kitchens.co.uk) to plan the new and improved room.

‘We asked Jennifer to include an island in the scheme, and for it to be an important feature of the new layout,’ says Suzie. The designer’s solution was to site it close to the cooking area, which allowed plenty of room for the family’s dining table to go in front of the glazed doors that lead out to the garden.

Suzie and Nicholas wanted as big an island as possible without it dominating the room, so getting the dimensions right was crucial to the success of the kitchen.

‘Everything had to be in proportion,’ explains Jennifer.

She plotted out each element with care to ensure there was a sufficient amount of clear floorspace around the island, and between it and the run of units along the wall.

Jennifer also recommended that the island cabinets were painted in a paler colour than the other cupboards to further reduce its impact on the overall scheme.

‘We didn’t want it to include appliances,’ says Suzie.

‘Instead it provides plenty of storage, and a serving area with a couple of seats.’ Hence, the small oak block breakfast bar extends beyond the main quartz worksurface giving a handy spot to perch and grab a quick bite to eat or chat to whoever is cooking.

Suzie and Nicholas selected two quartz composite worksurfaces as the material is easy to clean, non-porous and ideal for food preparation. To contrast with the white and grey-veined Carrara Classic quartz on the island, they chose a black-and-gold marble-effect Black Fusion design for the cooking area. ‘It’s a dramatic combination, but it works really well,’ says Suzie.

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ABOVE An integrated bookshelf at one end of the island keeps cookery books within easy reach of the built-in ovens and hob LEFT The oriel window draws in natural light while creating extra seating. Matrix tiles, from £22.16 per sqm, Topps Tiles (toppstiles. co.uk) In keeping with the age and style of their home, the couple chose more traditional in-frame cabinets, which are teamed with black metal handles for an element of industrial-chic styling. The pale pink and deep green cabinets complement the warm tones of the timber breakfast bar, open shelves and engineered wood flooring.

Jennifer proposed built-in appliances and an undermounted sink for a streamlined look. She also came up with the idea of the wall-mounted open shelves where the couple keep their stylish accessories on display.

This attention to detail has been a great success.

‘The kitchen looks great and works beautifully,’ says Suzie. ‘The layout is easy to navigate, and the island is a pleasure to use. We serve meals and drinks from it, and have even covered it in food to create a grazing table. It is a brilliant space.’

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MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 135

B AT H R O O M E D I T Keep a low profile For those seeking a streamlined space, the new Superplan Zero shower floor from Kaldewai is designed to fit totally flush. The durable steel enamel surface comes in a variety of colours and dimensions, and is 100 per cent recyclable. Prices start from £582 for a 700x700mm design. (kaldewei.co.uk)

What’s inside?

This versatile soap dispenser is new to the Inu accessories range from Zone Denmark.

Created by Tilde Nygaard of Neu Studio, the matt ceramic design measures Dia80x H116mm and comes with three labelled collars – soap, lotion and sanitiser – so you can identify the contents easily. From £24.95. (zonedenmark.net)

Get creative

Riveting stuff This industrial-style boat bath is new from BC Designs. Made from Acrymite, which is a high-quality, seamless acrylic, the tub’s decorative rivet-detail exterior can be finished in matt metallic silver or handpainted in a colour of your choice. It has generously curved sides for a comfortable soak, and measures L1,730xW690xD680mm. From £1,890. (bcdesigns.co.uk)

The Artist vanity unit from Crosswater is made with FSC-certified timber.

Available in four colours, with a solid oak top, it comes in three sizes and can be wall-mounted or fitted with heightadjustable beech or matching legs. Matt white Artist unit, W1,000 xD500xH500, £1,625, beech legs, £295, mirror, £400, Circus basin, £295, and Glide II monobloc, £319. (crosswater.co.uk)

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 137

B AT H R O OM E D I T

Bold moves American bathroom and kitchen brand Waterworks has partnered with US design company Ash NYC. The Highgate x Ash NYC collection includes a thermostatic shower control valve, deck-mounted tap and floorstanding bath filler. They feature porcelain lever handle taps in a choice of four colours.

Highgate x Ash NYC low-profile deckmounted lavatory faucet in Jade Green, £705. (waterworks.com)

Lasting value Whiteville Ceramics has unveiled Delta, the company’s affordable collection of sanitaryware, which features soft curves and sleek edges. Made using high-pressure ceramic casting for an exceptionally durable finish, the range includes full and semi-pedestal over-counter basins, and close-coupled, back-to-wall and wall-hung loos. Over-counter semi-pedestal washbasin, W550xD420xH255mm, £140, wall-hung loo, W372xD544xH358mm, £180. (whitevilleceramics.co.uk)

Tough love The LayRed luxury vinyl flooring collection from Moduleo has been extended with the addition of 40 timber-effect designs. Complete with integrated underlay, the rigid planks click together and can be laid on an existing floor. The waterproof engineered vinyl surface is also resistant to scratches and stains.

LayRed Woods Collection in Laurel Oak, £44.99 per sqm. (moduleo.co.uk)

Yuri porcelain tiles from CTD Architectural Tiles are Cradle to Cradle Certified (c2ccertified.org) and made with 90 per cent recycled content. Suitable for walls and floors, they come in four matt tones with a metallic glimmer, in 600x600mm and 1,200x1,200mm slabs, or 300x300mm mosaics. Order through your contractor or architect, £POA. (ctdarchitecturaltiles.co.uk) 138 NOVEMBER 2021 /

MAGAZINE.COM

WORDS PAULA WOODS

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PROJECTS BATHROOMS

Guide to taps and showers The secret to finding stylish designs that will perform well for years to come WORDS PAUL A WOODS

To the last drop For precision control of every aspect of your shower – water use, duration, temperature and flow rate – choose a digital model. You will be able to pre-programme your desired settings and preferences via touch controls, an app or smart device.

Smart Shower, from £2,340, Roca (uk.roca.com)

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 141

Double the value

So reliable

Innovative fittings become the focal point in a pared-back contemporary wet room or walk-in enclosure, so it’s worth looking for a standout design such as this geometric showerhead with light.

Apollo ceiling or wall-mounted shower in black with IP67-rated LED light, £2,070, West One Bathrooms (westonebathrooms.com)

Thermostatic technology works to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your shower. The latest valves have push-button or digital controls and temperature indicators.

Beacon Dual thermostatic shower with self-powered HydroGlo light that indicates when the right temperature is reached, from £330, Mira (mirashowers.co.uk)

All the senses

Using less, saving more

Modular fittings give you the freedom to design your shower with a single or several mood-enhancing spa-style features.

Architectural Wellness modular system with water jets, chromotherapy, Bluetooth speaker and atomiser, £POA, Hi-Fi thermostatic five function shelf mixer, from £3,853.20, Rettangolo hand shower, from £528, Gessi (gessi.com)

Eco showers and taps reduce consumption while retaining the feel of good water flow. Look for built-in flow limiters, aerators, condensed or pulsed sprays, plus cold start and timer functions.

Pulsify overhead shower 260 2jet EcoSmart in matt black, £666.67, shower holder set 105 1jet, £84, ShowerTablet Select thermostat 400, £475, Hansgrohe (hansgrohe.co.uk)

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PROJECTS BATHROOMS

CHECK THE SMALL PRINT Advice on labels and warranties from John Naughten, managing director of Bathroom Design Studio London (bathroomdesignstudio london.co.uk) ● Products certified by the Water

Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) guarantee conformity to British regulation standards and will have gone through stringent testing. Look for the WRASapproved label or refer to the online database (wras.co.uk).

WRAS-approved products are a legal requirement for new-builds. ● The European Water Label

(europeanwaterlabel.eu) and the Waterwise Recommended Checkmark (waterwise.org.uk) indicate the latest eco-friendly products designed to cut water consumption. These voluntary schemes provide information on water efficiency and include brands such as Vitra (vitra.com), Roca (uk.roca.com) and Duravit (duravit.co.uk). They’re also useful tools for self-builders when complying with water efficiency regulations as set out in Part G of the building code. ● It is your installer who has a legal obligation to ensure that all brassware complies with any relevant regulations – in much the same way as a qualified gas installer does. ● Most bathroom manufacturers

offer warranties of two to five years, while spare parts are usually available for at least ten to 15. In some cases, such as with Hansgrohe (hansgrohe.co.uk), they’re available even after a product has been discontinued. ● Warranties cover both the form

For everyone When designing for those with mobility issues, look for ranges that include lever and/or touch controls, cool-touch thermostats, temperature limiters, grab rails and seating.

Keuco Plan Care grab bar and rail system with load capacity of 115kg, £548.28, Care handset, £489.69, ceiling arm and showerhead, £531.45, round thermostat with diverter, £1,215.12, Plan wall-mounted, foldaway seat with load capacity of 150kg, £736.44, all Bathroom Design Studio London (bathroomdesignstudiolondon.co.uk)

and function of a product, and if there is an issue you will need to contact the retailer – not the manufacturer – within 30 days. If there is a legitimate problem such as a crack, then the manufacturer is liable for a replacement, unless the installation is faulty. Because most bathroom specialists have strong relationships with the manufacturers they represent, they may also be able to negotiate on your behalf if a problem should arise after the guarantee period.

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 143

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PROJECTS BATHROOMS

Easy upgrade Make a cost-effective improvement by adding a new showerhead that has hydrotherapy and massage features.

Rainshower SmartActive 130 hand shower in chrome with integrated controls, Rain, Jet and ActiveMassage sprays, £129.12, and 310 headshower set, £664.61, Grotherm SmartControl thermostat, £716.51, Grohe (grohe.co.uk)

MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 145

Fill your home with light and space For more information visit: www.reynaersathome.co.uk

If you’re embarking on a new-build or refurbishment project, make Reynaers at Home the starting point for your home transformation.

Discover how high-performance aluminium glazing solutions can transform the ordinary in your home and make it spectacular.

www.reynaersathome.co.uk

PROJECTS BATHROOMS

Quite unique

Always as good as new

Manufacturers such as Dornbracht (dornbracht.com), Fantini (fantini.it) and Grohe (grohe.co.uk) offer a wide choice of colours and finishes. Dornbracht and CP Hart (cphart.co.uk) have products with interchangeable handles and inserts.

SO three-hole basin mixer in brushed gold with light wood handles, £1,958.26, CP Hart. Range available in eight body finishes and with 11 handle options

The Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process produces long-lasting surfaces that are incredibly durable and scratchresistant with an enhanced colour and finish – whether matt or high shine. Ask suppliers for PVD product recommendations.

Lineare single lever floor-mounted bath filler with StarLight chrome finish, £2,061.05, Grohe (grohe.co.uk)

Clean solution

A worthwhile investment

Improve hygiene with motion-sensor technology that allows you to get water flowing without touching the tap. Bristan (bristan.com), Vado (vado.com) and Grohe (grohe.co.uk) offer mains or battery-powered options. Toto’s taps generate power from water flow alone (gb.toto.com).

Wall-mounted, self-powered Autofaucet in chrome, £612, Toto

It is worth buying the best quality brassware you can afford.

Designs with a solid brass or steel body are durable – check that the fitting has ceramic discs, which will ensure smooth operation for many years.

Langbourn 3870 single lever basin mixer in unlacquered Satin Brass that ages over time, from £564.36, Perrin & Rowe (perrinandrowe.co.uk) MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 147

PROJECTS BATHROOMS

Feel the power Low water pressure doesn’t have to restrict your choice of shower design. Models with Magni-flo technology from Mira (mirashowers.co.uk) operate at bar pressure as low as 0.1, Grotherm Cosmopolitan shower sets at 0.2 bar (grohe.co.uk), while Swadling Brassware collections are suitable for all systems (swadlingbrassware.co.uk).

Invincible exposed shower mixer in chrome, from £745.20, Swadling Brassware, Gelato Azura ceramic tiles, £47.47 per sqm, and Melrose Grey porcelain tiles, £43.13 per sqm, Mandarin Stone (mandarinstone.com)

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The tap that does it all 100°C BOILING, CHILLED AND SPARKLING WATER With a Quooker in your kitchen you always have 100ºC boiling water alongside regular hot and cold. Add a CUBE and you will also have chilled, filtered sparkling water – all from the same tap.

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MAGAZINE.COM / NOVEMBER 2021 153

PROFILE

MY GRAND IDEA –

Architect Stephen Tierney helped to shape a woodland home that has been almost 20 years in the making

154 NOVEMBER 2021 /

experience in basement construction, systems installation and timber work.

— What about planning?

We started the drawings in 2002 and gained planning approval in 2006. We were only allowed to add 10 per cent to the cottage footprint, so the ground floor measures just 124sqm. But there were no restrictions on the size of any basement, so we excavated to create a 126sqm underground level.

— How is it constructed?

It is made from structural insulated panels (SIPs), which are lightweight, strong, well-insulated and easy to make airtight. An air-source heat pump and solar panels make the house a nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) and there are plans to install solar photovoltaics (PV) in the future.

MAGAZINE.COM

— Where is the timber from?

Steven obtained a licence for woodland thinning, which allowed him to harvest oak for the exterior cladding and ash for the interior joinery. A team of horses did the heavy lifting, which is much less damaging to the landscape than modern mechanical extraction.

Steven and Pat used a mobile sawmill to cut the logs into 25mm-thick planks, which were stacked and left to season in the open air for three years. They set up a joinery shop on site to cut the cladding and make the laminated posts and internal joinery. Construction of the house finally began in 2011 and continued until 2020. There was no hurry. We wanted to get it right.

— How has it turned out?

Steven and Pat are delighted to have a home that is low-energy, not just because it reduces bills, but because it is comfortable, bright, draught-free and a constant temperature. This was a feel-good project for us all. It may have taken a long time, but it was certainly well worth the wait.

Tierney Haines Architects, tierneyhaines.com

ABOVE The four-bedroom, 255sqm house cost £530,000 excluding fees and labour LEFT Over time, the oak cladding will gradually mellow to match the colour of the surrounding trees

WORDS ALICE WESTGATE PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHEN TIERNEY, NICOLA HAINES

Tell us about the house It belongs to my parents-in-law, Steven and Pat Haines, who are in their seventies. They wanted to replace their cold, dark cottage near Godalming, Surrey, with something that would fit unobtrusively into the clearing in the ancient woodland they own at the brow of a valley. Steven planned to build the house himself.

— What was your role?

I am an architect and my wife Nicola is a landscape designer. We met while studying at The Bartlett School of Architecture in London, and now run a practice together in Dublin. The project team consisted of myself, Nicola, my colleague James Casey and Steven, whose many years working as a surveyor gave him a huge amount of