HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR KITCHEN WITHOUT RIPPING IT OUT BUYER’S GUIDE TO ELECTRIC CHARGERSCAR 10HILLSIDEINSPIRINGHOUSES YOUR DREAM HOME WAYS TO CREATE From mortgage advice to gaining extra living space GRANDDESIGNSMAGAZINE.COM GRAND DESIGNS August 2022 £4.40 THE BEST-LOVEDUK’SSELF-BUILDBRAND
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MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 5 Contents News 13 ARCHITECTURE UPDATE New and inspiring projects 103 KITCHEN UPGRADE The latest designs, surfaces and appliances 117 BATHROOM EDIT Stylish new additions for the smallest room 103 130 13 August 2022 Regulars 11 EDITOR’S LETTER 17 KEVIN McCLOUD Our editor-at-large looks to Iceland for how to make the most of geothermal energy 64 SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE 13 issues of Grand Designs magazine for just £29.99 130 MY GRAND IDEA An extension with a sunken seating area
6 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM 85 32 CONTENTS Homes 21 EAST LONDON EXTENSION An elegant remodel using simple materials such as oak, exposed concrete, raw plaster and copper 32 DETACHED HOUSE REBUILD Creating a banksflood-resistantprefabricated,homeontheoftheRiverThames 43 REGENCY RENOVATION This Grade II listed villa has been refurbished for a family of five 52 SWEDISH SELF-BUILD One man set out to a construct an understated timber home on the country’s south-west coast Projects 67 GRAND BUILD Up-to-date information on raising funds 75 GRAND GUIDE Ten inspiring houses built on hillsides 85 PROJECT ANNEXE Advice and inspiration for building a self-contained living space 95 BUYER’S GUIDE TO EV CHARGERS What to consider when choosing a home charger for an electric vehicle 107 PROJECT KITCHENS Quick and easy ways to update your space 120 PROJECT BATHROOMS The latest trends and design innovations 75 120
For more information, visit quooker.co.uk/save-water #savewater LET’S SAVE WATER TOGETHER! Use our calculator to find out your water footprint granddesignsmagazine.com/kitchen/save-water-in-the-kitchen
SOURCING SUPPLIERS FOR DREAMYOURHOME? www.selfbuildportal.org.uk/members A FULL LIST OF MEMBERS CAN BE FOUND AT: MAKE SURE YOU LOOK OUT FOR THESE NACSBA STAMPSThe National Custom & Self Build Association campaigns to remove the barriers to more people in the UK building their own home. Look out for the NaCSBA stamp and be assured that you’ll be working with a company you can trust. l All members are committed to working with self- builders in a fair and transparent manner l All members are funding the growth of the sector so more people can have an individual home l All members are covered by NaCSBA’s consumer Code of Practice – to protect you if things go wrong MEMBER
GRANDDESIGNSMAGAZINE.COM 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. GRANDDESIGNSLIVE.COM facebook.com/ granddesigns instagram.com/ granddesignstv twitter.com/ granddesigns MEDIA 10 Crown House, 151 High Road, Loughton IG10 4LF T 020 3225 5200 W granddesignsmagazine.com E info@granddesignsmagazine.com E sales@granddesignsmagazine.com EDITORIAL EDITOR KAREN STYLIANIDES ART DIRECTOR TONY PETERS CHIEF SUB-EDITOR MATT GLASBY DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR VICTORIA PURCELL CONTENT PRODUCER PAISLEY-ROSE TEDDER EDITOR-AT-LARGE KEVIN McCLOUD ADVERTISING ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER RICHARD WOODALL FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES RICHARD.WOODALL@GRAND-DESIGNS.COMEMAIL PORTFOLIO SALES TEAM JOSH MILLS, MATTHEW SMITH, ROSS MORGAN, NICHOLA HALLE MARKETING & DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR ROB NATHAN HEAD OF DATA PAUL HICKEY HEAD OF DIGITAL PAUL RAYNER MARKETING MANAGER MIA CONRAD MARKETING ASSISTANT OLIVIA LEWIS PRODUCTION PRODUCTION CONSULTANT TIM GARWOOD PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE CHARLIE DUTSON PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE GEORGIA LENCH STUDIO DIRECTOR LEE MOORE CREATIVE DIRECTOR ELLIOTT PRENTICE PUBLISHING MANAGING DIRECTOR RICHARD MOREY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LEE NEWTON 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) ©2022. ISSN 1742-0695 MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 9
EDITOR’S LETTER COVER
This toAustralia.Victorianonoffgridfour-bedroomhousestandsaplateauintheAlps,TurnP75formorePHOTOGRAPHY KULESZADAVE MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 11
I
@StylianidesK KAREN STYLIANIDES, EDITOR
t may be the height of summer, but I’ve had someone round to look in the loft with a view to insulating it. There’s glass fibre roll between the joists already, put in by a firm that repaired the roof some years back, but it’s not deep enough to be as effective as it could be. As I only ever stick my head above the hatch to reach for the Christmas decorations, I want the reassurance of knowing the work will be done by someone who understands exactly what they’re doing. And with another rise in energy prices coming in the autumn, I’m hoping to see something of a return on my investment in the form of lower heating bills this winter. I’ll keep you posted on how the plan works out. In the meantime, you’ll find an in-depth look at ways to insulate in next month’s issue. If you’re interested in building your own home, but lack the upfront funds to get going, the much-delayed Help to Build scheme has finally opened for applications. This is a government-backed loan, available in England, offered towards land and construction costs. There are eligibility requirements, such as having a 5 per cent deposit. And when you come to repay the loan, the amount is calculated as a percentage of the market value at the time. There’s a lot to consider, so for a full explanation of the scheme, visit the Own Your Home website (ownyourhome.gov.uk). PHOTO EMA PETER
gregoryphillips.com | +44 20 7724 3040 new houses | extensions | refurbishments | basement excavations | swimming pools Looking for an architect to help you create a unique, contemporary home? Gregory Phillips will work with you every step of the way. Contact us via www.gregoryphillips.com or follow us @gregoryphillipsarchitects on Instagram. YatesMelPhotography: RIBA award winning house
Original projects to inspire your own self-build or renovation
NEWS MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 13 Architecture update
Levelling up A 391sqm, four-bedroom new-build home at Seasalter on the Kent coast was designed for a couple with a young child by Stiff+Trevillion architects. Catch House is built with steel frame and timber stud infill above a concrete plinth. The cantilevered staircase with precast concrete treads and steel handrail stands out against Douglas fir cladding, and the flooring is bespoke terrazzo with beach pebbles set in concrete. The sloping site has been carved into terraces that step down from the road to a swimming pool and then to the (stiffandtrevillion.com)beachfront.
Far horizons
Mannal House is next to the sea on the Isle of Tiree in the Hebrides, Scotland, on a site that included old farm buildings. Part of the 240sqm home is enclosed by the rebuilt stone walls of a cowshed. Designed by architecture practice Denizen Works, the four-bedroom house is arranged in two wings. One includes a kitchen, utility space, dining area and living room, with the main bedroom, en suite, dressing room and study above. The other has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Constructed from a structural insulated panels (SIPs) kit, the well-insulated home is warmed by an air-source heat pump. (denizenworks.com)
NEWS
BERNACKI,LUKASZMCCARRAGHER,GILBERT JAMESALEXPHOTOGRAPHY,DAPPLEDAMME,VANKOEN
Architecture update
This new-build by Studio Farris replaces a semi-detached house overlooking the canal in Humbeek, Belgium. The 135sqm brick home matches the roofline of its neighbour, but the first-floor living space is set back behind an outdoor terrace with two bedrooms beneath. Rainwater is recycled and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels produce 60 per cent of the house’s electricity. The project cost £308,000. (studiofarris.com)
Location, location
Watery outlook
RODRIGUESCAROLINE PHOTOGRAPHY
Keeping cosy Technique Architecture and Design, in collaboration with homeowners Seonaid and Paul Stallan of Stallan-Brand Architects, has won a 2022 award from The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) for The Den at Tighnabruaich, overlooking the Kyles of Bute. Two flats were combined to create a 90sqm, one-bedroom home/studio. An insulated external timber frame is clad in coated steel, while inside the original stonework was restored. See more of the project on P77. (techniquestudio.com)
Small build, big challenge
14 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
The sparkle of sunlight or moonlight on the water is just one of the many pleasures of having a home on the shores of a lake, river or ocean. Beautiful Houses by the Water – Living at the Water’s Edge (The Images Publishing Group, £40, 24 August) explores how 37 enviable waterfront homes from across the globe fit in with their surrounding natural environments. The evocative images will tempt any prospective self-builder, and engaging descriptions set out the challenges and benefits of deciding to build in one of these unique locations. (imagespublishing.com)
WORDS
When a retired couple wanted to downsize to a small new-build house behind their terraced home on the seafront in Deal, Kent, architectural practice Mackenzie Wheeler had to resolve issues of light, privacy and party walls in the tight plot. Plus, the couple’s original house is Grade II listed and in a conservation area. Partly hidden by a high front garden wall, the new 125sqm, two-bedroom home slots in between neighbouring courtyards and has a balcony providing sea views. With local red Kentish brick walls and exposed oak structural frames, it cost £500,000. (mackenziewheeler.co.uk)
new builds extensions conversions 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 consultation.free Tye Architects t: 01525 406677 e: nicolas@tyearchitects.comw:www.tyearchitects.com
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V isit Iceland and you’ll find a country of fire and ice, wind and waterfalls, where humanity plays out its dramas always in second place to the elements. In Iceland you are never far removed from a thermal spring, a glacier or a 100mph wind – all of which can threaten to close the main road round the country, known only as Route 1. It is a country I love, especially in midwinter, for its welcome and hospitality, its European urbanity –you can find great beer, extraordinary food and delicious coffee in most bars and restaurants – and the pact that its 370,000 inhabitants have made with the ferocious force that is nature. I do not speak Icelandic, but English is spoken more correctly in Iceland than in some places in the UK. In any case, Ned, my great friend and travelling companion, does speak Icelandic. I have a video of him on my phone singing ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’ in Icelandic with the crew of a trawler in the middle of the Eyjafjörthur fjord on the north coast. From that boat on a stone-cold January morning in 2020 we saw the sun rise over the thick, snowy, mountainous landscape around us, we saw a humpback whale, seals and porpoises breaking the surface of the water, and a spectacular steaming waterfall that pours into the sea. This was a relatively new sight that has become a hot-shower attraction for the locals. It was the recent byproduct of a new road tunnel for Route 1 that cuts through a mountain range slicing 16km off the journey between the towns of Akureyri and HÚsavík and eliminating the treacherous Víkuskarth pass. The waterfall is a happy accident, a contribution to the very deep fjord, the waters of which are already warmed by hot spring vents and thermal chimneys on the seabed. Construction workers hit two geothermal hot water streams while boring the tunnel ten years ago. Today, you can drive through it and enjoy the novelty of watching ice, formed outside at -20ºC, melt from your car bonnet before, 2km in, opening your window to the extraordinary experience of a 20ºC breeze. The heat in the tunnel is so reliable that hot yoga sessions have been held in the emergency laybys. While deep in the mountains it stays forever summer, the Icelandic population has to battle hard, long and dark winters. Although battle is perhaps not the word because they have learned to work with nature, not against it. Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a tectonic zone in constant shift, with the result that the island’s central volcanic region is almost always active. Beneath the glaciers there is hot magma moving very near the surface, ready for humans to tap into. As a result, Iceland grows its own cut flowers, fruit and veg, all in giant geothermal greenhouses. Most towns have boiling hot midwinter spas. Geothermal power stations –alongside energy from hydroelectric sources – fuel the nation’s demand for electricity. Iceland is Europe’s exemplar for sustainable food production, energy supply and even sustainable amenities. We could all follow its example, if only we had a volcano or two. Iceland’s homes are, in the main, also heated with geothermal heat. If they had followed, say, Britain’s example, each home would be proudly, independently resourced with its own deep borehole, a heat exchanger with all the attendant pumps and monitors to prevent a new volcano from emerging in your living room. But, of course, being Iceland, these things are done more collectively. In Iceland your heat is shared.
MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 17
EXCLUSIVE COLUMN Kevin McCloud
The first official foray into collective geothermal heating came in 1930 when the city of Reykjavik heated There’s an ever more pressing need to start mining untapped sources of energy, says our editor-at-large
withinhabitants370,000Iceland’shavemadeapacttheferociousforcethatisnature
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 PHOTOGRAPHY BOLTONMARKSAMEY, 60 homes, a small hospital and an elementary school. The idea of a district heating system using insulated pipework spread as quickly as the network itself. Now 95 per cent of Reykjavik’s buildings are heated with geothermal district heating. Across the country, geothermal heat looks after 90 per cent of the nation’s space heating and hot water. The heat is so abundant that, where it can be diverted, it is used to keep the capital’s roads free of ice.
The longer-term view, however, is less bleak. Post-pandemic, countries are beginning to reinvest. Vattenfall, a company working in this area, is building on its experiences in Berlin and Amsterdam to collaborate with the likes of Midlothian Council in Edinburgh to create a heat network using waste heat from an energy-recovery facility. The economic arguments for district heating are also powerful. ADEME, the French agency for energy and the environment, has announced that the cost of district heating and cooling is now cheaper using geothermal sources, for example in the area around Paris, than by burning gas. Waste heat from power stations, supermarket chillers and data centres is also now considered a resource rather than a nuisance byproduct to dispose of. And the political justification for district heating – especially geothermal – is very compelling indeed. The ongoing Ukraine crisis has only highlighted our dependence on Russian fossil fuels to power our economies. It stands to reason that the more we recycle and the more we can source from the sun and the deep geothermal sources, the more resilient we can become in energy terms and the more independent we can become in politicalOnceterms.wefought wars over land for crops and mining. Now we fight wars over fuel and energy. Although perhaps all we really need to do is start to look at what lies under our feet and figure out how we can mine the hidden heat deep beneath our own homeland soil.
This cob house in Devon was built by Kevin McCabe Iceland’s stationgeothermalNesjavellirpoweropenedin1990
This places Iceland very firmly as a world leader in district heating and by far the most energy-sustainable country in Europe. According to the European Geothermal Energy Council, Iceland had about 2,600 megawatts of installed capacity for geothermal heating and cooling in 2020. It was followed by Turkey, another volcanic country, in second place, which has spectacularly accelerated its capacity to around 1,000 megawatts. We shouldn’t get too hung up on the exact figures though, because what’s important is that, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Turkey was about the only country investing in or launching new schemes. Its presence in the lovely warm world of district heating is relatively recent, so Turkey represents a model of growth that other countries could do well to follow. By contrast, France was the radiant golden hero of district heating around ten years ago but, as is so often the case, a sharp cut in subsidies without warning decimated the growth of new schemes. And across Europe the pandemic seems to have put investment and growth in this sector into the permafrost.
18 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
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HOMES EAST LONDON MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 21 Behind and beyond this home’s handsome brick façade is a tapestry of colour, texture and greenery WORDS ARABELLA ST JOHN PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY FRENCH + TYE An oasis in the city A corner window provides a wide view of the back garden, which can be enjoyed from the built-in seat
S
IN BRIEF LOCATION
terrace BEDROOMS 3 PROJECT STARTED October 2018 PROJECT FINISHED November 2020 SIZE 128sqm BUILD
Ten years on, Gareth, 55, a professor of design, and Richard, 51, an associate professor of fashion, had some savings and the seeds of a plan for their semi-terraced house, which has rooms on either side of a central entrance hall and staircase. ‘We wanted to be able to walk all the way around the staircase downstairs and have a kitchen and a dining area with views of the garden,’ says Richard. ‘We had materials such as oak, exposed concrete, raw plaster and copper in mind.’ Hackney, east London 1830s COST £320,000
TYPE OF PROPERTY Extended
oon after Gareth Williams and Richard Sorger bought their home in 2007, they found themselves facing an unpleasant surprise. In 2008 the financial crisis hit and the property market collapsed. Though the ground-floor layout needed work, the couple had to bide their time before making any significant improvements. ‘There was potential to open up the rooms,’ says Gareth. ‘But we’d bought at the top of the market and had to wait until we had the funds to do anything more.’
ABOVE London stock bricks and sash windows are conservationhousesfeaturescharacteristicoftheinthisarea RIGHT Gareth and Richard redesigned the garden, teaming a bright Japanese maple, coneflower and purpletop vervain with Karl Foerster and goldtau grasses to soften the new brick-edged beds and paths
22 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
HOMES EAST LONDON MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 23
window set into the angle of the L, which caught the couple’s imagination. ‘It enables us to see from one side of the extension to the other and right through to the garden from the front door,’ says Richard. ‘We loved it.’
Increasing the size of the second storey above the kitchen also had benefits. ‘Pushing out the rear wall to align it with the neighbours gave enough space for a second bathroom between an existing bathroom and bedroom,’ explains project architect Vladimir Krastev. ‘At the same time, it satisfied the planner’s condition that nothing should stick out awkwardly.’
24 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
With planning consent granted, Gareth and Richard moved to a rented house in nearby Kentish Town, and
The pair found architecture studio Bradley Van Der Straeten by searching the RIBA’s online database. Practice director George Bradley proposed building a single L-shaped rear extension to replace the four existing ones. It would span the full width of the house, freeing up space around the staircase and providing a corridor between the dining area and a new separate kitchen. Enclosing the staircase with birch plywood made it possible to walk from the front door to the back of the house through the hall, or around the stairs and past the dining area.
ABOVE AND ABOVE RIGHT
The extension design included big windows and glazed doors, with a skylight above the kitchen and a
The kitchen was designed by project
seatinglininghaslongKitchens.usingVladimirarchitectKrastevunitsfromDIYIts3.2mconcreteislandacoppersheetfacingthearea
HOMES EAST LONDON MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 25
‘The glazed corner enables us to see right through to the garden from the front door. We love it’
26 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM FLOOR PLANS GROUND FLOORFIRST FLOOR DININGLIVINGAREAAREA BEDROOM BEDROOM BEDROOM EN BATHROOMSUITEUTILITYWCKITCHENROOM
One day the couple arrived on site to find a nice surprise – the new kitchen was in place. ‘Our builder hadn’t mentioned it because he wanted us to have a wow moment,’ says Richard. ‘The scope of the room was revealed, and it was huge.’
Although the supply line juddered a bit once work restarted, overall the lockdown only delayed us a little.’
When the extension was under construction, some underpinning and a couple of steels were needed to shore up the house. ‘The more that is peeled away from homes like these, the more it becomes clear that they weren’t built to last,’ says George Bradley.
The arrival of the new windows from a factory in Germany caused a slight delay too. ‘The builder called and asked how we felt about grey frames,’ says Gareth. ‘But they should have been black, so the window openings had to remain sealed while they were remade.’
ABOVE Birch plywood joinery surrounds the staircase and also incorporates a utility area and cloakroom
Although the plan was to reuse the original fittings, this wasn’t always feasible. ‘The old doors on the first floor didn’t fit properly and we decided to put in new ones, so we ended up replacing other things too,’ says Gareth. The treads on the staircase were very shallow, so a new one was made. ‘When the ground floor was found to be resting on rubble-supported joints, we decided to spend the money on having a solid concrete slab laid throughout,’ he explains.
work began. ‘A couple of months in, when all but the bedrooms and bathroom had been knocked down, the pandemic hit and everything stopped for three weeks,’ says Gareth. ‘There was little of the house left, but the builder kept it weatherproof and secure.
Luckily there were no more unpleasant surprises, and Gareth and Richard look back on the project with pleasure. ‘We knew exactly what we were getting from the architects,’ says Gareth. ‘They told us what the job involved, all the things that needed to be done, and what everything cost. Our job was to make sure we could find enough money down the sofa to pay for it.’
HOMES EAST LONDON MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 27
ABOVE LEFT New oak parquet flooring runs throughout the ground floor. The herringbone pattern is picked up by the brick path outside
HOMES EAST LONDON 28 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
The fire surround in the living area is a clever reproduction by the contractor as the original fell apart during the build. It has been skimmed with microconcrete to look the same as the others in the house
MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 29
HOMES EAST LONDON 30 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM SUPPLIERS PROJECT TEAM Architect Bradley Van Der Straeten (b-vds.co.uk) Contractor Optimal Build (07838 299651) Structural engineer (symmetrys.com)Symmetrys WindowsSTRUCTUREandglazed doors First Folding Sliding (1stfoldingslidingdoors.co.uk)Doors Bricks and exposed steels Optimal Build FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Parquet floor Atkinson & Kirby (akirby.co.uk) Kitchen carcasses and fronts DIY Kitchens (diy-kitchens.com) Kitchen worksurface Mortise (mortiseconcrete.co.uk)Concrete Kitchen tap Hansgrohe (hansgrohe.co.uk) Bathroom sanitaryware Drench (drench.co.uk) Bathroom tiles Domus (domusgroup.com) Shower tray Volente (volentebathrooms.co.uk)Bathrooms Loo Grohe (grohe.co.uk) Built-in cupboards and wardrobe carcasses Ikea (ikea.com) Paint Farrow & (farrow-ball.com)Ball FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Kitchen and dining room lighting AstroHem(astrolighting.com),(hem.com) Dining table Hem Dining chairs Established & (establishedandsons.com)Sons Living area armchair Artek (artek.uk) Sofa Heal’s (heals.com) Coffee table Matthew (matthewhilton.com)Hilton Garden furniture Hay (hay.dk) The unusual artwork above the bed in the guest bedroom is a tombJapaneserubbing BELOW Ceramic tiles from the Interni range by Domus give the new bathroom a sleek, modern look
32 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM Justthearoundriverbend An ingenious prefab system was key to creating this flood-resistant home on a picturesque but hard-to-reach site beside the River Thames WORDS AMY FREARSON PHOTOGRAPHY EDMUND SUMNER
HOMES BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 33
The house sits on a lightweight steel table that’s part of the floodprotection strategy. A planting scheme including grasses and reeds is designed to help the garden be as resilient to flooding as the house
ABOVE Sliding glass doors in the living room open onto the garden. Shelving units are built into wall niches on both sides of the room RIGHT During a flood, the rising river water will flow right under the house to reach the floodplain in the adjacent field
lizabeth Rose made the decision to rebuild her home of more than a decade when, in late 2013, the UK had its wettest winter on record and flood waters came dangerously close to the house. Elizabeth, 71, had been thinking about refurbishment to improve the property’s energy efficiency and make it more suitable for her retirement. But as it’s on the banks of the Thames, rising water levels would be a continual problem. ‘The idea of renovation was out the window because the house was still going to flood,’ she says.
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Rowers, work boats and river wildlife create a constant flurry of activity on the water. So Elizabeth felt that, despite the flood risk, the rewards of rebuilding would be worth any potential challenges. Having witnessed several of her neighbours’ rebuild projects, Elizabeth knew she needed to find an architect that she could trust. Meeting Sasha Bhavan, co-founder of Knox Bhavan Architects, was reassuring. They both agreed that rather than replicating the art-deco style of the house, which Elizabeth felt was inappropriate for the riverside site, something more akin to a houseboat would be a good fit. ‘We were on the same page, and I’d never had that experience before,’ she says. Sasha proposed that they go with a prefabricated insulated cassette system by modular building company BlokBuild. It would be the first time the system had been used at such a substantial scale, but as the project architect Fergus Knox had collaborated with BlokBuild’s director in the past, they didn’t consider it a gamble. ‘We couldn’t
Elizabeth bought it in 2003 when her marriage ended and her two grown-up children were young enough to be living at home. She found the 1920s building extremely ugly, but was won over by the idyllic setting. It is part of a small enclave of houses that, due to the bend of the river and the pastures and woodlands behind, is very secluded. Until a narrow, winding road was built in the 1980s, the area had only been accessible by boat. Yet it is never quiet.
E
MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 35 IN BRIEF LOCATION Near BerkshireCookham, TYPE OF PROPERTY Single-storey new-build BEDROOMS 3 PROJECT STARTED April 2019 PROJECT FINISHED July 2021 SIZE 166sqm BUILD COST £968,000
Elizabeth and Sasha agreed that rather than replicating the art-deco style of the original house, something more akin to a houseboat would be a good fit
36 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
LEFT A curved ceiling reveal in the living room draws the eye towards the largest of four skylights BELOW relaxesElizabethinthesun on the terrace. A screen wall separates the living room from the dining area
The system supports the flood-resistance strategy developed with the engineering practice Price & Myers, which involves raising the house off the ground on a huge steel table. When the river level rises, the water simply flows underneath Elizabeth’s home and out towards the nearby floodplain. This should ensure that the house withstands any flooding event predicted over the next 100 years.
HOMES BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 37 see why it wouldn’t work,’ says Sasha. ‘The process is just like putting a jigsaw together and the cassettes are made from oriented strand board (OSB) in Scotland, so they’re eco-friendly and pretty strong.’
Elizabeth didn’t need much convincing. Because the cassettes are created offsite the structure could be assembled quickly. The entire framework went up in only three weeks. ‘I loved the craftsmanship of it,’ she says.
With an internal area of 166sqm, the new house is approximately 30 per cent smaller than the one it replaced, but the interior feels generous thanks to the extra-wide entrances, floor-to-ceiling windows, skylights, and ceiling heights that range from 2.4m to 3.1m. The living spaces are arranged into distinct zones that loosely follow a figure of eight, and the bedrooms are in self-contained wings that can be closed off by the pocket doors.
Elizabeth’s bedroom is in one wing, along with a dressing area, en-suite bathroom and yoga room, while the other has a guest bedroom and a hobby room that doubles as a third bedroom. There’s enough room for family to come and stay and for a carer to live in, if needed in the future. ‘It’s very easy to move around from space to space,’ says Elizabeth. ‘Instead of knocking around in a big house, I now use every single room. It’s just right.’
38 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM ‘Instead of knocking around in a big house, I now use every single room. It’s just right’
MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 39 HOMES BERKSHIRE FLOORSUPPLIERSPLANS PROJECT TEAM Architect Knox Bhavan (knoxbhavan.co.uk) Structural engineer Price & Myers (pricemyers.com) Services engineer Paul Bastick Associates (020 7792 8440) Quantity surveyor Ian Thomson & Company (07958 499468) Building contractor Philiam Construction (philiam.co.uk) Kitchen designer Griggs & (griggsandmackay.com)Mackay STRUCTURE Timber frame and prefabricated timber cassettes BlokBuild (blokbuild.com) Siberian larch cladding PG (ptgtreatments.co.uk)Treatments Galvanised steel structure Structural Steelwork and Engineering (structurals-ltd.co.uk) Zinc roof Vmzinc (vmzinc.co.uk) Steel external staircase Creighton & Son (creightonandson.co.uk) Aluminium windows Fineline (finelinealuminium.co.uk)Aluminium Timber windows Batty Joinery (battyjoinery.co.uk) Rooflights Roofglaze (roofglaze.co.uk) FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Timber floor The Natural Wood Floor Company (naturalwoodfloor.co.uk) Internal joinery Five Furniture (020 8699 8180) Paint Paint & Paper Library (paintandpaperlibrary.com) New lighting Lucent Lighting (lucent-lighting.com) Ironmongery D-line (dline.com), FSB (fsb.de) Blinds Tidmarsh (tidmarsh.co.uk) Shelving Vitsoe (vitsoe.com) ABOVE The kitchen teams green cabinets with a stainlesssteel worksurface LEFT Elizabeth’s hobby room can also used be as a bedroom. It has a corner window to take full advantage of the river views UTILITYROOM DININGAREA KITCHEN BEDROOMHOBBYROOM/ BEDROOM BEDROOM EN YOGASUITEROOM DRESSINGROOM SHOWERWC LIVINGTERRACEAREA
Both the architecture and the interiors reflect Elizabeth’s passion for the mid-century furniture that she collects. The larch cladding follows the proportions of a shelving unit she owned, with pale, rough-sawn boards on the exterior surfaces and narrow planed boards in the window reveals. Oak flooring and joinery create a natural backdrop for vintage chairs, tables, cabinets and lighting fittings.
BELOW A built-in bath is in front of a fluted glass window in the en-suite bathroom. The walls are painted in Paris Rooftops by Paint & Paper Library
LEFT The androombedroomguesthasenoughforadoublebedadesksoitcanbeusedasastudy
40 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM HOMES BERKSHIRE
Thanks to her newly built home, Elizabeth believes she will be able to stay living by the river for the rest of her life. The building is self-sufficient in many ways. A borehole provides drinking water, the house has its own sewage plant, and there is space in the garden for growing plenty of fruit and vegetables. Elizabeth hopes to instigate the installation of a community solar farm, so she and her neighbours can generate their own electricity. ‘I feel the house has simplified my life in many ways,’ she says. ‘When my family come to visit, they can see that I’m more relaxed and content than I’ve been at any other time in their lives.’ As for the flooding, the house has already proved its worth. In the first winter after its completion, the river level rose until it flowed under the building. ‘My neighbours said that it looked as though the house was designed to have water under it all the time,’ she says.
The zinc roof includes areas of planting to help the house blend in with the boathousegreenery.surroundingAsmallopensontotheriver
HOMES WEST LONDON MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 43 A monochrome colour palette puts the emphasis on the fine bones of this renovated Regency home In andblackwhite WORDS REBECCA FOSTER PHOTOGRAPHY GRANT SMITH/HENRY WOIDE The stuccohouse’splaster was repaired and the windows upgraded to double glazing
H aving lived and worked in London for three years from 2007, Mathilde and François Gallet were excited to return to the capital after several years in Geneva, Switzerland.
inhandraillarchstaircasereplacementismadeoftimberandtheisfinishedFrenchlacquer LEFT The
IN BRIEF LOCATION West Kensington, west London TYPE OF PROPERTY ExtendedRegencysemi-detachedvilla BEDROOMS 4 PROJECT STARTED May 2018 PROJECT FINISHED May 2019 SIZE 270sqm PROPERTY COST £6 million BUILD COST £650,000
HOMES WEST LONDON 44 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM ABOVE
The couple hired architect Anaïs Bléhaut to manage the renovations and remodelling work. ‘The partitioned lower ground floor was cluttered, and a small spiral Architect Anaïs at the front door. The bespoke marble byroomgroundsurroundfireplaceinthefloorlivingwasmadeChesneys
Fashion entrepreneur Mathilde, 48, and François, 49, who works in financial services, bought a four-storey townhouse in an area of the city they’d set their hearts on. ‘We knew exactly where we wanted to live, right down to a few roads that we particularly liked,’ says Mathilde.
There was plenty of space in the four-bedroom house for the couple and their three children, Gabriel, 18, Louise, 16 and Maiwen, 12, but there was also room for improvement. ‘Though the interiors were dated, it was the layout – particularly on the lower ground floor – that was more of a challenge,’ says Mathilde. This arrangement of small rooms suffered from a lack of natural light, making the entire level seem gloomy and claustrophobic.
staircase had been added in the 1970s,’ she explains. ‘But I felt it was important to step back and do a whole plan assessment of the house before making any changes.’
ABOVE The architect recreated the coving by surveying the original features in neighbouring houses and replicating what she found ‘Though interiorstheweredated,itwasthelayoutthatwasmoreofachallenge’
Because the building is Grade II listed, altering its structure was not permitted. Anaïs, who is an accredited conservation architect, and her team investigated each room to establish which elements were original – and so could not be touched – and which were later additions. ‘We peeled back carpets and removed newer parts of the skirting boards to see what lay beneath,’ she says. ‘Many of the alterations overlapped each other so it wasn’t easy to identify the historical details. Every roof joist was surveyed, too, as they had moved over time. It’s much
MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 45
Because the building is Grade II listed, altering its structure was not permitted
better to tick these boxes before beginning the build to have peace of mind when on site.’
But the team’s painstaking work paid off. The project proposal was well received by the council’s conservation officer, and planning and listed building consent were given so the work could go ahead. The spiral stairs were removed and a new staircase fitted, and a conservatory added in the 1970s demolished to make way for a small brick-clad extension. This would provide space for an open-plan kitchen and dining area. Though Anaïs project managed the scheme, Mathilde and François kept a close eye on progress from a rented house two streets away. ‘We had to be patient and accept that things take time,’ says Mathilde. ‘Luckily, everything progressed smoothly.’
46 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
HOMES WEST LONDON MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 47 FAR LEFT Powdercoated aluminium frame areTheinthecontrastsglazingwithwhitewallsthediningarea.motorisedblindsbySilentGliss LEFT Boffi kitchen cabinets are teamed with a FloorNaturalflooringengineeredworksurfacemarbleandoakfromTheWoodCompany FLOOR PLANS GROUND LOWERFLOOR GROUND FLOORFIRST FLOORTOP FLOOR LIVINGROOM FAMILYROOM STORAGE DININGAREA KITCHENWC LIBRARY WC BEDROOMBEDROOM BEDROOM EN SUITEBEDROOMBATHROOM
Once the staircase was in, the couple got a sense of how the lower levels would work. ‘The staircase was the most important intervention of all, in terms of the light and the improved layout it provided,’ says Anaïs.
The family had enough time to settle into their freshly renovated home before the first lockdown came into effect.
ABOVE In the top-floor en suite concrete Kast basins are paired with marble tiles from Salvatori on the walls and floor RIGHT Gabriel’s en-suite bathroom on the first floor features a black shower and taps from Vola and porcelain tiles from Mosa ‘We had to be patient and accept that things take time.
The project gave them a chance to put their sense of style into practice. ‘We created a black and white scheme throughout as we feel that the simplicity complements the house’s character,’ explains Mathilde.
‘Self-isolation was fairly easy for us,’ says Mathilde. ‘In Geneva we lived in apartments, this is the first time we’ve had a house. The children are growing up and need more independence, so it’s great they have been able to spend time upstairs in their own space.’
The couple wanted a spacious en-suite bedroom on the top floor, which involved taking down two internal walls added after the house was built and installing a shower and vanity unit beneath the sloping ceiling. To make sure everything fitted perfectly, Anaïs and her team planned the layout using 3D modelling software and even made life-size cardboard mock-ups of the fittings.
smoothly’thingsLuckily,progressed
HOMES WEST LONDON 48 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 49 Behind the couple’s bed, the black oak veneer panelling was made by Blake Builders and is framed with LED downlighting
FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Fireplace Chesneys (chesneys.co.uk) Oak flooring The Natural Wood Floor Company (naturalwoodfloor.co.uk) Kitchen Boffi (boffi.com) Bathroom wall and floor tiles Salvatori (salvatoriofficial.com) Bathroom basins (kastconcretebasins.com)Kast
PROJECT TEAM Architect Daab Design (daabdesign.co.uk) Structural engineer MBOK (mbok.co.uk) Contractor Blake (blakebuilders.co.uk)Builders
Gabriel’s bathroom tiles Mosa (mosa.com) Bathroom radiators Antoniolupi (antoniolupi.it) Bathroom brassware Vola (en.vola.com) Paint Farrow & Ball (farrow-ball.com) Motorised blinds Silent Gliss (silentgliss.co.uk)
Wall panelling fabrics Osborne & Little (osborneandlittle.com) Roman blinds Tillys (tillysinteriors.com) Light fittings Lee Broom (leebroom.com), Serge Mouille (sergemouille.com) Downlights Delta (deltalight.com)Light FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Sofas B&B Italia (bebitalia.com), Living Divani (livingdivani.it) Dining table De Padova (depadova.com) Stools Poliform (poliformuk.com) Carpet runner Roger (rogeroates.com)Oates
A rooftimber-deckedterraceleadsofffromthecouple’stop-floorbedroom
HOMES WEST LONDON 50 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
Landscape architect John Davies (johndavieslandscape.co.uk)Landscape
SUPPLIERS
STRUCTURE Sliding doors, pivot door, fixed floorto-ceiling window Fineline (finelinealuminium.co.uk)Aluminium Bespoke staircase design Daab Design Staircase installation Blake Builders
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52 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM IN BRIEF LOCATION Grebbestad, Sweden TYPE OF PROPERTY Single-storey new-build BEDROOMS 3 PROJECT STARTED September 2018 PROJECT FINISHED July 2020 SIZE 110sqm LAND COST Around £85,000 BUILD COST Around £240,000 Glazed sliding doors lead from both the open-plan living room and the main bedroom onto a south-facing deck
HOMES SWEDEN MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 53 When simple is best This home is deliberately pared back so there are few distractions from the dramatic scenery WORDS AMY FREARSON PHOTOGRAPHY PETER KRAGBALLE/LIVING INSIDE
Modified hardwood cladding from Kebony provides a weatherproofdurable,exterior RIGHT The interior walls are lined with birch plywood with a wax finish, while the pine floorboards have been lightened using lye
Having seen his father Sven, 77, a retired engineer, build several houses, Kristoffer felt confident about doing the same. The challenge was finding an affordable plot that captured his imagination. After five years of searching, his patience was rewarded with a site very close to the coast. The price was significantly reduced because there was no sea view, and the rocky terrain would make for a gruelling build. But the scenery was spectacular, framed by huge boulders and trees. Kristoffer felt the challenge would be worth it, and was reassured when his dad agreed. ‘We knew it was going to be hard, but that it would make a great place for a home,’ says Kristoffer.
His plan was to use the house for weekends and summer holidays, and to keep his small flat in Oslo as a base during the week. The only way he could afford it would be to rent out his Grebbestad home short-term, so the design needed to be flexible enough for holidaying guests. At the same time, he didn’t want to be cleaning up after other people. ‘When I’m at the house, I want life to be quiet and easy,’
HOMES SWEDEN MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 55
Although he moved across the border to Oslo, Norway, where he works as a business developer for a tech company, Kristoffer, 42, still spent most weekends in his hometown. But after years of staying with his parents, he felt it was time to put down some roots of his own.
G
rowing up in Grebbestad, a seaside fishing village in south-west Sweden, instilled a love of the great outdoors in Kristoffer Olsson.
56 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
LEFT At the Muuto dining table are six Cesca chairs by Marcel Breuer that Kristoffer bought from a friend ABOVE An entire wall of cupboards creates plenty of storage, ensuring everything from gadgets to tea towels can be hidden out of sight
BEDROOMSHOWER HOMES SWEDEN MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 57
BEDROOMLIVINGAREA
FLOOR PLANS UTILITYROOM STORAGE BEDROOM DINING AREA KITCHEN
he says. ‘I don’t want to spend my time fixing things or repainting the walls.’ So a simple, low-maintenance building was a must. After struggling to find an architect nearby, Kristoffer came across Lunneryd Arkitekter, a small Copenhagen-based practice with a couple of projects on Sweden’s west coast, and he immediately recognised the name. Architect and studio founder Sara Lunneryd grew up in one of Grebbestad’s neighbouring towns and had attended the same school as him. Although she didn’t have a lot of experience, Kristoffer knew after meeting her that she was the right person for the job. ‘Sara came to the site and we just clicked,’ he explains. ‘I felt that she understood exactly what I wanted.’ Sara designed the house to be as simple as possible. Inspired by local fishermen’s cottages, it’s a timber-frame cabin with a slender overhanging roof. The side facing the road and neighbouring houses is more enclosed, with few windows, while the ‘We knew it was going to be hard, but that it would make a great place for a home’
A Hidealite track lighting system makes it easy to reposition the kitchen ceiling lights. The island teams Ikea cabinets with Noremax drawer fronts and end panels RIGHT The cantilevered roof angles outwards to shade the façade from the sun in summer and protect it from rain and snow during the colder seasons
HOMES SWEDEN 58 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
The main concern was whether making the house big enough for a family to stay in would suit Kristoffer too. Sara tackled this by opting for an L-shaped layout instead of going completely open plan. One wing includes Kristoffer’s bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe and a hallway. The other has a kitchen, dining and living room, plus two bunkrooms and a bathroom slotted in behind. Pocket doors open to make different areas feel connected. ‘This way the house is not too big for one person,’ says Sara. ‘Plus, there’s a distinct place to keep everything, which makes it easy to live in.’ Kristoffer’s £240,000 budget called for a resourceful approach from the outset. Material wastage was avoided by matching the dimensions of the house to standard off-theshelf components – a move that also positively affected its sustainability credentials. Instead of splashing out on the full-height, frameless glazing system that Kristoffer had intended, he and Sara agreed it was more important to invest in the cantilevered roof. It gives the building a lightweight appearance, provides shelter from inclement weather and shades the big expanse of glazing in summer. The only disagreement they had was over flooring. Sara wanted concrete, but Kristoffer was set on bleached pine.
more secluded south-facing side is almost entirely glazed, so it feels open to the landscape.
MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 59
‘The house is not too big for one person. Plus, there’s a distinct place for everything, which makes it easy to live in’
60 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
HOMES SWEDEN MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 61
The hardest part of the build was the groundworks, which involved using dynamite to blast away enough of the rock to level the ground and building a stepped pathway up from the road. Luckily most of this phase was complete before Covid-19 struck.
Although the house is only two hours’ drive from Oslo, travel restrictions between Norway and Sweden meant that Kristoffer had to quarantine for two weeks after every site visit. The upside was that, following the introduction of working from home, he was on site every day during the final
three months of the build. With travel restrictions eased, he hopes the new flexible way of working will allow him to spend more time at the house than he originally expected.
With its plywood-lined interior, Kristoffer’s home feels cosy even though it is minimally furnished. There are no pictures on the walls and the orange pendant lamp above the dining table, a chair with an orange frame and the green kitchen island are the only instances of colour. ‘There is colour and lots of furniture in my apartment,’ says Kristoffer. ‘But in this house I just want to enjoy the view.’ Pocket doors separate the living area from the hallway and the bedrooms LEFT The sidefurnishingsminimalincludeanIkeasofa,VitratableandvintageErikMagnussenchair
62 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM This wardrobe is built into the corner of the main bedroom. There’s a matching one on the opposite end of the wall
SUPPLIERS PROJECT TEAM Architect and landscape Lunneryd Arkitekter (lunneryd.com) Contractor Br Johnsson Bygg & Montage (+46 73 679 02 12) Structural engineer Mattias Landgren (+46 525 101 22) STRUCTURE Groundworks Mikaels Grävtjänst (mgtab.com) Cladding Kebony (kebony.com) Windows Nordan (nordan.co.uk) Doors Swedoor (swedoor.se) Air-source heat pump Nibe (nibe.eu) FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Pine flooring Baseco (baseco.se) Kitchen cabinets and bedroom wall lights Ikea (ikea.com) Kitchen island and cabinet doors Noremax (noremax.com) Kitchen worksurface Joreds (joredspostformning.se) Spotlights and downlights Hidealite (hidealite.com) Pendant lights Muuto (muuto.com) Woodburning stove Termatech (termatech.com) Underfloor heating LK Systems (lksystems.se) Bathroom floor and wall tiles Golvpoolen (golvpoolen.se) Bathroom cabinets Montana Furniture (montanafurniture.com) Bathroom fittings Golvpoolen FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Dining table Muuto Sofa and plywood chair in hallway Ikea Vitra side table in living room Paustian (paustian.com) Erik Magnussen chair Engelbrachts (engelbrechts.com) HOMES SWEDEN MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 63 LEFT moretotopbetweenbedsCustom-madefitpreciselythewalls.Thebunksaresmallergivetheloweronesheadroom BELOW White tiles line the bathroom walls, with the plywood and black details tying in with the pared-back theme throughout
ONLY £29.99 FOR 13 ISSUES Get Grand Designs magazine delivered to your door each month Subscription offer! VISIT granddesignssubscriptions.com/OGDN2022 OR CALL 01858 438792 and quote OGDN2022 This offer expires on 31 December 2022. 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 •Save 47% on the cover price •Subscribing is the only way to get your hands on a print copy •Plus, get two free Grand Designs Live tickets worth £20 each
PHOTOGRAPHY PETEREMA PROJECTS How financetoaself-build 67 10hillsideinspiringhomes 75 Advice buildingonanannexe 85 guideBuyer’stoEVchargers 95 Overlooking Sakinaw Lake near Vancouver, Canada, this fourbedroom house sits on a platform carved from a rocky slope. Turn to P75 for more MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 65
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SUSTAINABLE KITCHENS AND ORDER YOUR FREE SAMPLE PACK, WWW.KOIVU.CO.UKVISIT Due to large bulk purchase owing to large education contracts, we have 800 kits 1 - 3m and 2 - 5m suitable for school playgrounds, car parks, driveways, paths, forecourts and outside areas. We supply and lay resin bound surfaces to British Standard thickness for only £60 per square metre. 01428 658866 | 01403 900163 | 01444 523161 sales@jacoblevyprojects.co.uk www.jacoblevyprojects.co.uk Ramshill, Petersfield GU34 1AS Head Office: Regency House, 91 Western Road, Brighton, West Sussex BN1 2NW – 20 colours – Offers available for 3 months – All work guaranteed for 15 years – £10 million public liability Block paving also availableonly £120 per m2 Tarmacadam also availableonly £50 per m2
Up-to-date advice on successfully financing a self-build
MAGAZINE.COM/ AUGUST 67 PROJECTS GRAND BUILD
A mortgage was secured for familyinterimmill,crumblingconstructedfour-bedroomthishome,fromaCumbriantopaybackanloanfrommembers
How to raise funds for your project
Unless you are in the fortunate position of having enough money in the bank to cover the entire cost of your project, it is likely that you’ll be looking to secure a mortgage. The majority of self-builders will source a specialist product tailored to suit the needs of building a home. Setting a budget Start by establishing a budget, which ideally you must stick to. As a rough guide, assess the amount of cash and equity, subject to lending criteria, you already have along with the total you can afford to borrow, and then calculate the size and type of house you can build with the funds available. Or if you know the size of the property you want, work out in reverse how much it will be to buy a suitable plot and build the home of your dreams on it. Factor in the cost of where you will live for the duration of the project. Can you stay on the site in a caravan, which you may have to buy, or will you need to rent somewhere to live? Prepare an application The difference between selfbuild and traditional mortgages is that self-build products enable you to draw down funds at key stages of the build.
THIS PAGE The amount of structural glazing was revised during the build to save on the cost of this Padstow,familyfive-bedroomhomeinCornwall
A prospective lender will want to see evidence of the granted planning permission, detailed surveyorinspecialistbeplanmethodasincludingasoncosts.asdrawingsarchitecturalandspecifications,wellasthetotalprojectYouneedtobeclearallpossiblefigures,suchfeesforprofessionalhelp,valuations,aswellthebuildtype,constructionandmaterials.Youcanprepareadetailedyourself,butitmaywisetoaskafinancialwithabackgroundconstruction,aquantityoraprojectmanager
to create the documents for you, especially if you’re a first-time self-builder. They can prepare or evaluate a cost schedule to ensure your home can be completed to your budget. Monitor your spend From the outset, it’s important to have as much detail about your incomings and outgoings as possible, so you know precisely how much money is required for each stage of the project. In most cases, you will buy the land, make another
The difference between self-build and traditional mortgages is that self-build products enable you to draw down funds at key stages of the build
68 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM PROJECTS GRAND BUILD
70 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM PROJECTS GRAND BUILD
● Affordability assessments have recently been tweaked across all sectors of lending. When making an assessment for self-build funding, lending institutions use a stress test rate of interest which is higher than for more standard forms of borrowing. The stress test may change according to the Bank of England base rate.
SMITHJEFFERSONBOLTON,MARKHASLAM,ANDY payment when the foundations are finished, another one when the walls and roof are up, and so on. To establish your cash-flow pattern, you’ll need to know the schedule of works and the costs incurred for each Beforestage.you even start the construction you will have fees to deal with, such as legal costs, site surveys and planning charges. So always factor these into the cost plan. Remember, too, that although you can claim back the VAT on materials used in a selfbuild, if you are buying the materials yourself, you will have to pay for them first and then claim the tax back following completion. As you’re responsible for paying bills, make sure that every penny is spent wisely and accounted for. Most selfbuilders create a spreadsheet to record expenditure in key areas such as professional fees, materials and labour. Also, it’s a good idea to keep a filing system for invoices, delivery notes and receipts. There will be hundreds of these, but you will need all of them to reclaim VAT. The price of the plot is likely to be 30 per cent, if not more, of your overall outlay. Setting aside an additional 10 per cent is advisable for a flat site where the ground conditions are known, and 20 per cent for a sloping plot or one where you’re not sure what may lie beneath the surface. Make savings Whatever your project, it’s vital to factor in a contingency fund. Remember that this is for unexpected costs only. Do not be tempted to use it to change your specifications to more expensive items. There are ways to reduce construction costs. Try to source materials through your builder, usually the most costeffective method as you will benefit from trade accounts. When managing your own project, don’t be afraid to ask suppliers for trade discounts. If you can be flexible about materials, try companies that recycle materials, such as Builders Surplus (builderssurplus.co.uk), Buildtrade.co.uk and Recipro (recipro-uk.com). Reclaim as much as you can when clearing the site, and reuse materials in your new-build, as this saves on skip hire and disposal.
● The total project cost is also scrutinised to ensure everything associated with the construction is considered, including landscaping and professional fees. It is prudent to add a healthy contingency of between 20 to 30 per cent. In the event the project stays on budget, you are not obliged to draw down funds you no longer require.
● But the rate of interest applied to a self-build mortgage is much less than the stress test. Rather, the stress test rate is used to assess the payments you could afford should the rate of interest increase during the mortgage term.
● Lenders take into consideration increases in income tax and national insurance, energy prices, the cost of commuting to work and the costs of living such as food, household bills and clothing.
● It’s important to bear in mind that these assessments are made for your protection as well as the lender’s. There is a healthy appetite to lend in the self-build sector of the market.
Partway through the build, a andreduceTheYorkshire,buildfour-bedroomapplicationmortgageforthisself-nearYork,Northwasrejected.ownershadtotheirmaterialsfittingscosts
PHOTOGRAPHY
BASICSBORROWING The lendingself-buildmarket demystified by Mary Riley of Mary Riley (maryrileysolutions.co.uk)Solutions
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Smart self-build and renovation solutions for sloping sites
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Inspiringhillsidehomes
MODERN LOG HOME Hannu and Sally Maki built this house as a retirement project, but Hannu, 68, was so impressed with the structural system by Finnish log home specialist Honka (honkafusion.co.uk) that he decided to start working for the company. Designed in collaboration with Orme Architecture (orme-architecture.com) and completed in June 2020, the 200sqm, three-bedroom home is in the conservation area of North Hill in Minehead, Somerset. Extensive groundworks were needed to excavate to a depth of 5m to build a 3m-high retaining wall. The walls of the house are horizontally stacked lengths of cross-laminated timber (CLT), chosen for its structural stability. Delivering the timber by crane was impossible due to the sloping site, so they were transported by lorry then carried. The CLT is exposed inside the house and is teamed with poplar wood cladding outside. The two-storey home cost £550,000 to build and is A-rated for energy efficiency.
From architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, USA, to Hill House by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in Helensburgh, Scotland, some of the world’s most famous homes have hillside settings. Building on a slope often presents design challenges and practical complexities, but the following projects demonstrate that such projects can reap rewards, whether by incorporating dramatic drop-offs or nestling unobtrusively into the topography of the site.
CANTILEVERED RESOLUTION Completed in 2021, this 250sqm, two-bedroom home in Crimea, Russia, was designed by architecture practice Two Plus for a couple with a young child. It is anchored to the hillside by steel columns so the structure cantilevers above the ground, preventing any disturbance of the natural slope and the surrounding trees. Unsurprisingly, given the steep plot, getting machinery to the site was
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The walls of the single-storey house are built from locally sourced stone clad in thermally modified timber and aluminium panels, and include big expanses of glazing. The garden is deliberately small, so that it doesn’t distract from the natural landscape. (twoplus-ab.com)
difficult, so all the soil excavated for the foundations was removed by hand and materials were delivered by crane – mounted on a lorry – with an extra long boom.
KIT CRAFTED
HERITAGE CONVERSION
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Arranged over three levels, the 90sqm layout includes a living, dining and kitchen space on the upper-ground floor, with a studio and living area on a mezzanine above and an en-suite bedroom on the lower-ground floor. Glazed bi-folding doors and a Juliet balcony capture the sea views. With no room to store materials on site, everything had to be ordered as needed. Coated steel cladding protects the stone building from the elements, also allowing it to remain exposed on the inside and still comply with Building Standards. (techniquestudio.com)
An 1870s-built stone cottage divided into two flats has been turned into a one-bedroom home for architect Paul Stallan and his wife Seonaid, an early learning professional and jeweller. Paul collaborated with Technique Architecture and Design studio on the £230,000 project, which is in the village of Tighnabruaich, Scotland.
Rural Architects designed this 146sqm, two-bedroom house on the Isle of Rona, Scotland, for Bill, 66, and Lorraine, 58, Cowie, a couple gradually retiring from their role as the island’s caretakers.
With the help from a joiner/builder, who lived on the island for six months, Bill built the house from a steel and timber frame kit. The layout is angled to hug the rocky hillside and take in the views. Sunsets can be enjoyed from the west-facing, open-plan living space, while the bedrooms look towards the morning sun. The house cost £350,000 to build, breaking ground in 2016 and finally finishing in 2019. (ruraldesign.co.uk)
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The new caretakers moved into their old home and the couple looked for a self-build site so they could stay on the island. They found a rocky hillside plot, which posed some challenges. To minimise the amount of excavation work required and avoid the need for hefty machinery, the single-storey house is raised on steel stilts on concrete pads with a solid concrete staircase core that connects it to the ground.
lies within Land Title number YEA455978, benefits from mainly flat terrain, is in the curtilage of a Listed Building, contains one Public Right of Way, and is 34m from the perimeter of a Flood Zone. THIS PLOT With layer after layer of insights, the Grand Designs Magazine Land Finder makes it easy to find and research any plot. Find your plot with Land Finder.
The build cost was just over £2,000 per sqm, although construction prices have risen since it was completed in 2020. (elliottarchitects.co.uk)
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5 EXTREME PROTECTION
The house is made from precast concrete and has floor-to-ceiling windows interspersed with larch timber exterior cladding. The stonefaced wall was inspired by the rocky crags dotted about the surrounding countryside and Corbridge Roman Town on Hadrian’s Wall.
This 340sqm, four-bedroom house in the Sonoma hills of California, USA, was designed by Mork-Ulnes architecture practice (morkulnes.com). It replaced a home built in 2016 for a family of five that was damaged by fire in 2017. The homeowners asked for a two-storey concrete structure that might better withstand fire in the future. A covered walkway on three sides of the first floor shades the lower-level terrace and also provides the family with unrivalled views from the hilltop site. The landscaping by Surfacedesign, Inc (sdisf.com) is designed to prevent soil erosion. Native grasses and wildflowers were planted using a hydroseeding technique where the seeds are mixed with slurry and sprayed over the ground rather than dry planted.
6 RAISED ABOVE IT ALL Designed by Elliott Architects for a couple in their fifties, this house in Corbridge, Northumberland, looks like it’s balanced on a rubble-stone wall. The lower level tapers to meet the slope and includes the entrance, plant room and garage. Above it are three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen-diner and music room.
80 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM 7 A PRECARIOUS PROJECT Retired couple Andrew, 74, and Joanna, 68, Jeffrey built their four-bedroom house on a site overlooking Plymouth Sound in Devon that was originally a part of the garden of their Georgian home. They first applied for planning permission 17 years ago and gradually refined the design, making their way through five architects – each of whom contributed a little to the project –until the build was finally completed in July 2019. Amanda Le Page of Le Page Architects (lepagearchitects.com) was mostly responsible for the final scheme.
Main contractor Doyle & Whitley (doyleandwhitley.co.uk) used insulated concrete formwork (ICF) to build the two-storey structure. The ICF was strong enough to create the retaining wall needed next to the limestone hillside – it was especially important that the land was preserved because it included a listed lime kiln. The builders also had to be extra careful putting up the scaffolding on the south side, because it was perched above a 9m drop. The cost was about £2,900 per sqm, but according to main contractor Tom Whitley, recent price rises would raise that to around £4,500 per sqm.
The six-bedroom house has three sections, a central area with views all the way from the entrance through the living room to the valley beyond, and two wings on either side, which include the bedrooms, bathrooms, hall, utility room and plant room. Plus, there are two adjacent pods on stilts – one is a sewing room and the other a bedroom – on the southfacing slope that are reached along an elevated walkway. (tpbennett.com)
HOUSE OF MANY PARTS Doug and Wendy Smith live in a single-storey house on a stone ridge overlooking a valley in Kent. Its low profile means it can’t be seen by the neighbours. Doug, an architect who works for TP Bennett, designed the 418sqm house to Passivhaus standard. Concrete walls retain warmth and the Siberian larch shutters can be pulled across the windows and glazed doors to prevent the interiors from overheating.
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EMBEDDED IN THE MOUNTAIN Located northwest of Vancouver, Canada, this 284sqm home sits on a platform carved from a steep rocky slope overlooking Sakinaw Lake. It was designed by Woven Architecture & Design for a family of five. The plot is long and narrow so the house has an outdoor deck to one side rather than at the front. Its two-storey steel-and-timber frame structure is supported by concrete foundation walls. Steps lead down from a carport at the top to the front door on the first floor, which has four bedrooms, while the living areas and spare room are on the lower level. A wall of rock behind the house had to be stabilised by specialist engineers, but creates a spectacular backdrop to rooms such as the main en-suite bathroom, which has a glass wall with a close-up view of the rock face. (wovenarchitecturedesign.com)
OFF-GRID SHELTER
The Victorian Alps, a large mountain range in the south-eastern Australian state of Victoria, is home to a 400sqm, off-grid house. Robbie, 37, and Alice, 36, Walker live in their self-build property with their three children. Standing on a plateau in the foothills, the thermally efficient steel, concrete block and glass structure was designed by Robbie to be resilient enough to withstand bushfires and the hot climate. The rectangular single-storey home has four bedrooms and a garage at the back, with the hillside behind. At the front is an open-plan kitchen/dining/living area overlooking the countryside below. A deep roof overhang provides shade for the outdoor terraces on three sides. Power is supplied by solar panels and battery storage, while tanks holding 70,000 litres of rainwater are buried underground. (robbiejwalker.com)
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Guide
WORDS JESSICA MAIRS
A self-contained annexe may be adjacent to a house or an independent building on the same plot. Either way, it’s designed as a separate home, perhaps for an elderly relative or returning adult children. According to the results of a 2020 survey by insurance company Aviva (aviva.co.uk), 5 per cent of UK households have an annexe, with a further 7 per cent planning to develop one. Post-pandemic property buyers appear to be looking for homes that have a self-contained living space. Online property portal Zoopla (zoopla.co.uk) reports that an annexe is the fifth most coveted asset, with almost 100,000 searches for this word in the first three months of 2022, making it almost as popular as the term bungalow. ‘Given the cost-of-living crisis and an increase in working from home since the pandemic, many of us are interested in creating spaces that allow for extended family to all live together comfortably,’ says Mark Austin, co-director of Austin Maynard Architects in Melbourne, Australia (maynardarchitects.com).
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ABOVE
This thecottage.two-bedroomrenovatedapaviliontoAustralia,annexeone-bedroom85sqm,inMelbourne,connectsacommunalandsharesplotwitha255sqm,Seemoreofprojectoverleaf
Make more living space by converting an outbuilding or constructing an entirely new structure ancreatingtoannexe
Explore your options
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ABOVE AND RIGHT Designed by Austin Maynard Architects, the Melbourne annexe is home to Belinda, 71, while her son and daughter-in-law live in the main cottage. It features independent access via an alleyway and comprises a kitchen-diner, study, living room and bathroom on the ground level, with a bedroom and architects.com)above.bathroom(maynard
An annexe usually includes a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room, and it can be developed in several ways – such as by extending a house, converting the garage or constructing a standalone new-build. Seeking advice from an architectural practice with a track record of designing this type of build is a good starting point. They should address the immediate requirements and give thought to future uses, ensuring the design has longevity and offers good value for money. Look for a practice in your area by using the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) searchable database (architecture.com). Once you’ve made a shortlist of possible firms, ask to see projects that are similar to what you’re aiming for. ‘Ask lots of questions,’ says Kailin Gregga, partner at Best Practice studio in Seattle, USA (bestpracticearchitecture.com). ‘Consider all the scenarios in which the annexe may be used. Getting the potential requirements outlined at the beginning will help create a space that can be adapted as needed.’ Expert guidance on making the best use of the site and the rules for permanent and mobile structures is also vital to the project’s success.
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ABOVE AND BELOW At the rear of a home in LA, California, USA, is a 70sqm, two-bedroom annexe created for Laura Cowen Higuchi and her husband Clifford Higuchi by Bunch Design, allowing her father to live in the main house. The annexe’s bedrooms, living room and kitchen are separated by sliding doors. (bunchdesign.net)
An important design aspect to consider is the areas that will be shared by those living in the house and the annexe. ‘The best option is to include a combination of several private spaces and a few that are shared,’ says Mark Austin. ‘In this way, everyone has somewhere that they call their own.’
Protecting privacy
Having a communal garden, plus secluded courtyards and private entrances, for instance, would give both households a degree of independence from each other. But it may be necessary to manage expectations.
‘Balancing the specific needs of everyone across time is a challenge,’ says Kailin. ‘There may be some things that can’t be achieved when designing an annexe that adapts as personal situations change.’
‘Ask lots of questions and consider all the scenarios in which the annexe may be used’
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ABOVE AND RIGHT This 53sqm, one-bedroom annexe in Seattle, USA, is a new-build standing on the site of a former garage. It’s home to Irene Paskovskis, 97, and was commissioned by Irene’s daughter Ilga and son-in-law Kyle Parmentier, a couple in their fifties who live in a four-bedroom house on the same plot. The project was designed by Best Practice and has an open-plan living area and a bathroom on the ground floor that can be adapted in future to suit Irene’s mobility requirements. (bestpracticearchitecture.com)
‘Balancing the specific needs of everyone across time is a challenge. There may be some things that can’t be achieved’
Enhancing small spaces Usually having a more modest footprint than a house, an annexe benefits from features that make the rooms look and feel spacious. Vaulted ceilings, skylights and high-level glazing are just some of the space-enhancing architectural techniques that can be deployed. Even just one or two big picture windows, perhaps with a built-in seat, will make a room feel bigger. Sliding or pocket doors take up far less floorspace than hinged versions, as does built-in storage rather than freestanding.
● The roof is built and the storm drains connected to keep the structure dry.
OFSCHEDULEWORKS constructionOutbuilding
ABOVE AND BELOW Elysian Cottage is a 70sqm, one-bedroom annexe designed by architects Bo Sundius and Hisako Ichiki of Bunch Design for Bo’s late father in the back garden of their three-bedroom home in Solano Canyon, LA, California, USA. The cottage is now used by the couple’s guests. (bunchdesign.net)
● Dig trenches for the drainage, mains water and waste pipework.
More information can be found at the Planning Portal (planningportal.co.uk), but seek advice from your local planning department before committing to a project or beginning any work.
● Before any work begins, ensure that there is adequate space and access for deliveries, and protect the routes in and out from possible damage.
● Clear the ground and check for buried electrical cables and pipework, which may need to be removed, moved or relaid.
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● The insulation is installed and the flooring laid.
● Always leave the painting until the end! What are the regulations? You will need to seek planning permission from your local authority to build a permanent standalone annexe in England.
’Mobile homes are subject to less stringent planning rules and can often be sited in areas where it would be difficult to obtain planning consent for a permanent structure,’ says Ivana Cavallo, co-founder of A Room in the Garden (aroominthegarden.co.uk).Ifthisisthetypeofannexe
you want, Ivana recommends applying to your local council for a lawful development certificate (LDC), which proves a project is legal.
● Second fix electrical work completed.
● Any exterior cladding and the glazing is fitted.
● On undeveloped ground, a concrete foundation or steel pile is constructed.
timeline from architect James Walsh, director of Inframe Spaces (inframegardenrooms.co.uk)
Those that take the form of an extension or an outbuilding conversion may come under permitted development rights (PDR), but it is always best to check in advance with your local authority. A proposal for a mobile home that meets PDR must be submitted to the local authority under the Caravan Sites Act, which details the criteria a structure must meet to qualify.
● If there is an old but sound concrete base already in place, from a demolished garage or other outbuilding, it can be reused by drilling through the concrete and installing screw piles.
● The plasterboard is fixed in place, then the walls are plastered, plus the sockets and light fittings finished.
● Confirm adequate clearance of the boundary walls or fences before the structure is erected.
PROJECTS SELF-CONTAINED ADDITIONS
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Estimating the cost
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GARDENTHEINROOMAIMAGERY,SOZINHOMOK,RINYESWALWELL,DEREK
More details of how to qualify can be found on the government website (gov.uk) ABOVE AND RIGHT
This two-bedroom home was designed for a couple who wanted to pass on their house in Brighton, East Sussex, to their daughter and her family, and downsize to a smaller home at the bottom of their garden. Qualifying as a mobile home, the building by A Room in the Garden, nestles in a patch of woodland and cost £300,000. (aroominthegarden.co.uk)
The price of an architect-led annexe will vary depending on its size, the complexity of the design and the materials used, but starts from around £245,000 for a structure with one or two bedrooms and a floor area of 80sqm. A 66sqm mobile home with two bedrooms costs from around £135,000. ‘Buyers of mobile homes that follow certain building standards will pay 0 per cent VAT on the price,’ says Ivana Cavallo.
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ADVERTISING PROMOTION ● For more details, call 0161 928 8804 or visit architectscertificate.co.uk Advice on Building Regulations and the new warranty requirement coming later this year ENSURE YOUR PROJECT IS COMPLIANT Building your own home can be an incredible experience. But to ensure the process runs smoothly you’ll need expert help along the way. For instance, once planning permission has been granted, there are Building Regulations to comply with, plus further approvals and insurances to obtain. This is where the qualified professionals at ABC+ Warranty can really help, by making sure all these essential requirements, and more, are met. Did you know that the Building Regulations in England have recently been updated? These include changes to the required standards for thermal performance, ventilation, overheating, electric car charging and fire safety. The Approved Documents in question are parts L, F, O, S and B. You can find details of the new rules on the government’s website (gov.uk) or the Planning Portal awarranty,theconvertedbuildingsproperties,thatwarrantytoa(planningportal.co.uk).Crucially,laterthisyearthegovernmentissettopassnewlawrequiringdevelopersprovideaminimum15-yearforallnew-buildproperties.Thiswillalsocovernewhomeshavebeencreatedfromexistingsuchaswhenofficeorbighousesareintoflats.ABC+Warrantywillbeoneoffirstproviderstooffera15-yearassoonasthisbecomeslegalrequirement. MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 93 New-build properties will soon require a minimum 15-year warranty BELOW ABC+ Warranty can help at any stage of the build
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Electric chargerscar
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At-home models vary in terms of size and design, features, speed and connectivity
FOCUS ON WORDS ALISTAIR CHARLTON Read any electric car review or ask electric vehicle (EV) owners, and the glowing remarks on performance, environmental credentials and ease of use will be swiftly followed by a major caveat. The full benefits of buying an EV are only unlocked with the installation of a charger. Mounted to the garage or attached to a freestanding post at the side of the driveway, a home charger is a small box that is simple for a qualified professional to fit, and it generally works quickly enough to fill a car battery overnight.
Regulations introduced on 30 June have made the use of smart chargers, intended to minimise strain on the national grid, mandatory for installations of new charge points. All are weather-resistant, and some can connect to solar panels. Available in a choice of eight colours, and four Accoya wood finishes for an extra £150, this charger supports 7kW as standard but can deploy 22kW with an optional £190 cable. A2, from £1,099 excluding installation, Andersen (andersen-ev.com)
BUYER’S GUIDE POWER SUPPLY SPEED VS COST
WHAT’S THE OUTLAY?
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According to data from the AA (theaa.com), there were 290,000 home installations across the UK as of 1 April 2022. This represents about 40 per cent of the 700,000 electric and plug-in hybrid cars on UK roads as of late 2021. Home chargers use mains electricity alternating current (AC) power, and usually operate at either 3.6kW, delivering about 15 miles of range per hour, or 7kW, for around 30 miles per hour. This is far slower than the direct current (DC) rapid public versions, which can run at more than 200kW and add hundreds of miles of range per hour. Home installations are intended to slowly fill a car’s battery each night for a fraction of the cost of a fast motorway charger, supplying power for your daily commute and weekly shop in between occasional public charging for longer journeys. Despite all home chargers working in a very similar way, there are several models to choose from. They vary in terms of size and design, but also features, speed and connectivity.
RIGHT Shipping from September and available to preorder, this 7.2kW model is one of the smaller chargers on the market, but still includes features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, plus Cat 4 ethernet for a wired internet connection. EO Mini Pro 3, £1,089 fully installed, EO (eocharging.com) This design comes in six colours with 5m or 7m cable lengths, charges at up to 7.4kW, and is compatible with the Wallbox solar EV charging system. There is also support for voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant smart speakers. Pulsar Max, from £709 for 7.4kW excluding installation, Wallbox (wallbox.com)
Chargers that deliver 3.6kW or 7kW range start from around £800 to £1,000, and this often includes installation. Faster 22kW models are also available, but these cost more and require three-phase electricity, which most UK homes lack. When it comes to balancing cost with speed, 7kW chargers currently make the most sense, and deliver 84kWh of energy when plugged in overnight for 12 hours. This is enough to fill the 75kWh battery pack of a Tesla Model 3 (tesla.com), which was the UK’s best-selling electric car in 2021 according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (smmt.co.uk). This recharge costs in the region of £10 to £20, depending on your tariff and how long off-peak energy is available each night. Some tariffs only offer off-peak energy for a few hours, which isn’t enough time to recharge larger EVs from empty. But given the average UK driver covers just 20 miles a day, this is enough for daily use. A government grant of £350 is available to help with the installation costs (gov.uk). This used to be available only for homeowners of a single-unit property, such as a house, but in April 2022 was updated to include those living in flats and rented homes. Regardless of the type of home, having a dedicated, off-street parking space is required to qualify.
● The most significant setback is likely to be if your house is on what’s called a looped supply. This was a cost-saving measure adopted when the country was building homes quickly after World War II. Essentially, two houses share one incoming supply, typically under a shared driveway. A charger cannot be installed on a looped supply, so your DNO will need to unloop your supply first.
● A charge point installation will take around three to four hours, but more complex jobs could take longer. It’s a much more complicated operation than fitting something like a new three-pin plug.
DEGREES COMPLEXITYOF Installation tips from Tom Callow of Myenergi (myenergi.com)
‘A property with a shared electrical supply, such as some blocks of flats, some terraced homes, and apartments above shops, requires more work before a charger can be installed,’ says Alex Pile, founder of Project Sixty One Electrical Services (projectsixtyone.co.uk).
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● In general, home chargers do not require planning permission. But as the installation requires the addition or alteration of a dedicated circuit and associated work, it is notifiable under Building Regulations. The work must either be carried out by an installer registered with an approved competent person where(competentperson.co.uk)schemeor,theworkiscarriedout by an unregistered installer, checked by a Building Control body or registered third-party certifier.
Pod Point has its own network of over 6,200 public chargers at supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, hotels and airports. Solo 3, with or without a tethered cable, with output of 3.6kW, £799, 7kW, £899, 22kW, £1,549, including (pod-point.com)installation.
Following changes to Building Regulations that came into force on 15 June 2022, all new builds with parking must include EV charging. To prevent someone from using your charger without permission, many can be locked and unlocked via a PIN in the smartphone app. Also, if a timer has been set, such as to charge your EV at the same time each night, it can only be used during this period. If someone tried to plug into it during the day, it wouldn’t work.
‘While most choose a faster 7kW charger, not having sufficient capacity for installation is quite common’
‘While most choose a faster 7kW charger, not having sufficient capacity for installation is quite common,’ says James McKemey, head of policy at Pod Point. ‘In which case, you will have to opt for a 3.7kW model. Some providers offer chargers with load balancing that monitor your home’s electrical consumption to ensure it’s never overloaded.’
● If you look at your electricity meter, you will find your incoming fuse nearby and can check its rating. It will either be 60amps (A), 80A or 100A. If you only have a 60A incoming supply, it is likely that you will need to upgrade to an 80A or 100A supply to have a standard 7.4kW (32A) home charge point installed –otherwise you may only be able to have a less powerful, slower charge point. Fuse upgrades are usually free and can be arranged by your local distribution network operator (DNO).
IS MY HOME SUITABLE? Most homes are suitable for charger installation, but not everyone can benefit from faster speeds.
● Unlooping can involve significant work, including digging up the driveway to run a new supply from the roadside. The good news is that this cost should be picked up by the DNO and ultimately gets covered by the money we all pay through our bills to maintain and upgrade the network.
You’ll need to choose between tethered or untethered models. The former has a cable permanently attached, while the latter needs a portable cable connected each time you charge. ‘Tethered is more convenient because the cable is always there, but you have to coil it up after each use and this can be unwieldy,’ says Danny Morgan, editor of Smart Home Charge (smarthomecharge.co.uk). ‘Untethered chargers look neater when not in use.’
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOGREENJAMES
DESIGN MATTERS
Some models have a wide range of colours to choose from and even the offer the option of modified wood panelling. Compact designs tend to cost more. One company makes models that look like the wheel of a classic car, and even one designed to resemble wooden postboxes. ‘Some homeowners don’t want a plastic box on display, preferring something more in keeping with the style of their house that doesn’t look like a charger when not in use,’ says Tim Oldland, owner of Bespoke Chargers (bespokechargers.com).
Offered as a tethered or untethered version, and with 7kW or 22kW charge rates, this charger draws power from the mains or uses energy from a solar photovoltaic (PV) system or wind power. Zappi, from £779 for 7.4kW excluding installation, Myenergi (myenergi.com)
CHARGER?SMART
A new regulation, effective from 30 June 2022, requires all newly installed home or workplace chargers in Great Britain to be smart, which means they automatically adjust the charge speed and schedule depending on the level of demand on the national grid and whether renewable energy is available. ‘Smart models can do clever things, such as following the electricity price in real time or matching the power from your solar panel,’ says Paul Pschierer-Barnfather, technical director at Zaptec (zaptec.com). By default, smart chargers are configured to operate only during off-peak hours. This can be overridden if an immediate charge is needed, but the intention is to encourage EV charging when there’s less demand on the grid. They also have a random delay system, where charging starts up to 10 minutes after the car is plugged in. This is a further bid to reduce strain on the grid, as many people will likely plug in at the same time every evening.
LEFT For a charger that stands out – or pretends to be something else entirely – this handmade design looks like a traditional postbox. Wooden postbox charger, £1,115 for 7kW, £1,315 for 22kW excluding installation, Bespoke Chargers (bespokechargers.com)
98 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE
WHAT IS A
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Big Turn(graff-designs.com).fromVignolaragespacesshoweringarealltherightnow.collection,£791,GrafftoP120formore
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Timber
Nordic heritage Norwegian brand Hadeland Glassverk has made handblown glass light fittings using traditional techniques since 1762. It recently opened its first UK showroom in London. This double-layer shade with smoked grey outer and opal inner is blown using wooden moulds and finished with metal fittings in black, steel or brass. Archive 4245, Dia178xH266mm, requires an E27 LED bulb and costs £510. (hadeland.com)
KITCHEN UPGRADE Perfectly formed Designed with smaller kitchens in mind, this new freestanding larder from Cox & Cox measures just 70cm wide. Made from solid wood, the lockable cupboard has three shelves, three soft-close drawers and room to store items in the door. Delivered fully assembled, the slim larder cabinet costs £1,695 and (coxandcox.co.uk)H220xW70xD54cm.measures craft Online store Objects &
Choose your metal Siematic’s S2 Matte Metallics cabinets have handleless, slab-style stainless steel doors that are ideal for minimalist kitchens. Four brushed metal finishes – Rose Gold, Bronze, Champagne and Platinum – bring a touch of opulence without distracting from the cabinets’ clean lines. S2 Matte Metallics cabinets in Rose Gold with stainless steel worksurface, from £25,000 including installation and appliances. (siematic.com)
Finds offers £69.wideboard,locallyCreative,designboardsservingincludingindependenthomewaressustainablefrommakers,thesesolidwoodandchoppingfromSussex-basedstudioForgehandmadefromsourcedoak.Long500x165mm,£59,board,470x290mm,(objectsandfinds.com)
Practical beauty
Time to dry
New to the Maris range from Swiss manufacturer Franke is the generously sized, undermounted, single-bowl 110-72 sink. Measuring L753xD433x H200mm, it fits in an 800mm cabinet and is made from Fragranite, which is 80 per cent quartz and 20 per cent acrylic resin. Choose from four shades, including this Stone Grey, from £587. (franke.co.uk)
104 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM WORDS WOODSPAULA
KITCHEN UPGRADE Rustic floral Dante Blue Dhalia is a porcelain tile that can be laid on walls and floors. With a matt finish, plus an uneven surface and sides, it has the appearance of an expensive artisan design, but costs £44.95 per sqm. It measures 123x123mm and is available from Walls and Floors. (wallsandfloors.co.uk)
The Marmo Collection by Hi-Macs includes a new range of 12 solid surfaces that have been inspired by the Northern Lights. From left, Aurora Calacatta Luna, Aurora Butter Cream, Aurora Magnolia, Aurora Terra, Aurora Cocoa and Aurora Midnight. Aurora Colours, from £300 per m. (himacs.eu)
The fully integrated TDi4001 tumble-dryer from Caple removes water from the warm air circulating around damp laundry and stores it in a tank. The air is then rewarmed by a heat pump and continues to dry the clothes. A sensor monitors the moisture and humidity levels and will complete the programme as soon as everything is dry. It is A+ rated, has 15 programmes including a small load option and anti-crease function, and a 7kg capacity. It measures W596xD530xH845mm and costs £1,043. (caple.co.uk)
Room to manoeuvre
PROJECTS KITCHENS MAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2022 107 Quick and easy updates Alter the backdrop Rejuvenate your room with bold wall tiles – even a new splashback can make a big difference to the look of a scheme. Find trusted trades through the Federation of Master Builders (fmb.org.uk). Hoxton Black Gloss porcelain tiles, 240x60mm, £50 per sqm, Terrazzo Nouveau Ivory matt porcelain tiles, in three sizes from £63.60 per sqm, Mandarin Stone (mandarinstone.com) Ways to ring the changes without ripping out your entire kitchen WORDS PAULA WOODS
Revamp up front Get a new look with a minimum amount of disruption by fitting custom-made cabinet doors, drawers and end panels. Replacement door specialists include Custom Fronts (customfronts.co.uk), Husk (madebyhusk.com) and Naked Doors (nakeddoors.com). Parallels doors in Ashton Grey, from £75 for a 400x400mm door, No Pattern drawer fronts and doors in custom Natural Colour System (NCS) Cloudy Grey, from £40 for a 400x100mm drawer front, wire handles in brass, £20, Superfront (superfront.com/uk)
PROJECTS KITCHENS PHOTOGRAPHY ANDERSONKARL
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Try Cox & Cox (coxandcox.co.uk) and Maisons Du Monde (maisonsdumonde.co.uk).
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Chef’s Edition kitchen pegboard in natural or white PEFC-certified birch plywood and beech, 1,140x420mm, with knife rack, utensil rack, condiment holder, shelf and six pegs, £220, Wearth (wearthlondon.com)
Wide Kingston kitchen island in recycled pine with blue stoneware top, nine drawers and shelf, L2,000xW850xH900mm, £2,495, recycled teak and copper bar stools, £295 each, Graham & Green (grahamandgreen.co.uk)
Get a centrepiece
Opt for long-term value Reduce running costs by replacing an old appliance with an energy-efficient model. Check the energy label, most are on a scale from A down to G, though ovens range from A+++ to G -. 60 Series electric heat storage range in dusky pink, compatible with renewables, with eco function, two ovens, integral grill, cast-iron hot and simmer plates, £6,690, Everhot (everhot.co.uk)
Take a time and motion study Waste less time rummaging in crowded drawers or cupboards by keeping everyday essentials at hand and easy to see on open shelves and wall-mounted organisers.
If you wish you’d included an island, there are off-the-shelf freestanding designs available.
A tall freestanding cupboard – such as a larder or dresser – offers generous storage and can be used to create a new focal point for your scheme. Suffolk bi-fold dresser in Old Rose, W1,900xD500xH2,190mm, £5,531, Neptune (neptune.com) Improve the lighting Decorative light fittings can serve as useful task lighting while enhancing the look of a space. If possible, install a dimmer switch to change the mood as you wish.
Add texture
Ready-made timber panels are ideal for giving a dining area a new look. They can be fixed in place with adhesive or screws. Slatwall natural oak FSC-certified veneer wall panels with recycled acoustic felt backing, from £129.99 for a 2,400x600mm panel, Naturewall (naturewall.com)
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Invest in stylish storage
Hoxton cone pendant light in Satin Nickel, £65, trio, £170, Garden Trading (gardentrading.co.uk)
● If you’re unsure about the condition of your wiring, a certified electrical contractor can be appointed to carry out an electrical safety inspection.
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● The NICEIC is the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting. To find a reputable, certified installer in your area, visit the website (niceic.com) and get at least three different quotes before agreeing to any work.
● If you’re not using a registered contractor, you will need to arrange for any Part P electrical works to be inspected and passed by Building Control. A more straightforward route to ensuring you meet Building Regulations is to hire an electrician who can self-certify their work and notify Building Control on your behalf.
Make a colour change A couple of coats of eggshell, satin or gloss paint will transform the look of most cabinet doors. If in any doubt, check with the paint manufacturer for advice on product suitability and use a sample pot to test an inconspicuous area before committing to the entire project.
Cabinets painted with Stone II Architects’ Eggshell, and architrave with Temple Architects’ Eggshell, £75 per 2.5 litres, Honesty wallpaper in Temple, £105 per roll, ceiling painted with Stone I Pure Flat Emulsion, £54 per 2.5 litres, and wall with Temple Architects’ Matt Emulsion, £59.50 per 2.5 litres, Paint & Paper Library (paintandpaperlibrary.com)
● Minor work, such as changing or moving sockets, ceiling lights or light switches, is not covered by regulation. But before you take on any work be aware that kitchens may pose a higher risk due to load demands and proximity to water and heat, and require careful attention. Sockets should be installed at a minimum distance of 300mm from a sink or drainer. If in any doubt, contact a reputable, certified electrician for advice.
● More substantial work, such as adding a circuit, partial and full rewires, will need to comply with Part P of Building Regulations in England and Wales. So before hiring an installer, make sure you clarify the extent and nature of the work being carried out and establish who is responsible for organising any relevant notification and certification.
STAY SAFE Advice fromelectricalonwork
Paul Collins, head of technical services at the NICEIC (niceic.com)
The resulting Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) will detail any damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions and anything not in line with safety standards.
Use every inch Make more of cupboard interiors with add-on storage systems that increase capacity. Companies such as A Place For Everything (aplaceforeverything.co.uk) and Lakeland (lakeland.co.uk) offer solutions. Variera shelf inserts in two sizes, from £2.75 for a W320xD160xH130mm insert, Observatör clip-on basket, W310x300xH180mm, £3, Ikea (ikea.com)
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W20 bespoke steel door screens in matt anthracite grey, from £3,360 for a single door, Clement Windows (clementwindows.co.uk). Hexagonal Split tiles in Pearl + Brighton Stone, £219.24 per sqm, Bert & May (bertandmay.com). Charterhouse No. 4 marble matt emulsion, £55.50 per 2.5 litres, Mylands (mylands.com)
For better washing Fitting a new tap and sink is a straightforward job if you stick to the same size and format. To make installation simpler, look out for designs that include handy integrated accessories and under-sink storage solutions. Blanco Unit package with Subline Silgranit undermount sink, Linus-S spray tap, in-cabinet waste and organisation system, £1,029, Blanco (blanco.com)
Brighten all areas Replace solid internal doors with glazed designs to allow daylight through from adjacent rooms and increase the sense of space.
PROJECTS KITCHENS
superb steel windows, doors, screens and rooflights Clement House, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1HR Telephone: 01428 643393 clementwindows.co.uk info@clementwg.co.uk Steel Windows and Doors by Clement Crafted by experts in steel fenestration and building conservation. Clement make high quality bespoke replicas of original steel windows. Manufactured by our skilled craftsmen to your specific requirements, Clement’s steel frames meet modern performance criteria by complying with current Building Regulations and will enhance the beauty and value of your home for years to come!
Careful research and an attention to detail led one couple to find their ideal kitchen at Wren MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE 114 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM Copper FromElementsfinishenhanceaccentsthedramaticofWren’sMilanocabinets.£257perunit RIGHT A hob set into the island lets Sarah and her husband entertain while they cook
Karen also helped the couple realise their dream of having a long island. This posed a challenge because Sarah and Richard had envisaged having drawers on each side and a seamless copper trim, both of which are features that are outside of the standard collection.
● Book your free design appointment today at wrenkitchens.com
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The couple had always intended to extend the kitchen, and drew up the plans for it themselves. ‘We had a pretty clear idea of what we wanted, which included having the longest island possible,’ says Sarah.
ADVERTISING PROMOTION
‘The overall customer service was great,’ says Sarah. Wren even gave us a call a few days after delivery to make sure that the installation had gone smoothly.’
‘We even got a call a few days after delivery to make sure everything had gone smoothly’
‘Richard restored much of the house,’ explains Sarah. ‘He even stripped the beams and cornicing back to their original condition. It took a few years to get it the way we wanted.’
‘Karen was absolutely brilliant. The island was something that hadn’t been done in the Wren kitchen range before, and she helped us to create it,’ says Sarah. The kitchen also includes two sets of Bosch ovens and microwaves and a Bosch five-burner gas hob, which has Flameselect for precision control, in one corner of the island. ‘My husband is a keen cook and loves to chat with our guests while cooking at the island,’ says Sarah. Richard organised the installation of the kitchen himself and the couple were delighted when it arrived at the prearranged time.
When the time came to look for a kitchen company to help them put their plans into action, it was very important to Sarah and Richard to find the right partner to work with. ‘Nothing comes into this house without a lot of research beforehand, so we had a good look around before deciding to go with Wren,’ recalls Sarah. ‘We found exactly the range we were looking for at the Sheffield showroom.’ The couple chose Infinity Plus Milano Elements in Concrete Matt, which fitted with their desire to bring a touch of contemporary design to the house’s traditional features.
When Sarah and Richard Brammer moved into their Victorian house in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, in 2008, it was in serious need of a complete renovation.
With their renovations complete, Sarah and Richard couldn’t be happier. ‘It’s been a real labour of love,’ she says. ‘We adore our home – especially the kitchen.’
The couple work in software sales and have three children, Megan, 14, Alexander, 11, and Lexie, 9. Yet they found time to do most of the renovation work themselves.
boiling water tap, which we wouldn’t have thought of,’ says Sarah. ‘It’s my favourite feature – I couldn’t live without it.’
Another thing that attracted the couple to Wren was the company’s expert design service. Karen, their designer, was quickly able to turn their ideas on paper into a 3D render, which really brought the scheme to life. ‘Karen brought so much to our concept and suggested an Insinkerator 3N1
Crown Tiles is committed to offering you the best value for money for the highest quality products, sourced from some of biggest tile manufactures in the world. We offer you the best possible choice of tiles, ranging from porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, inc. wood effect, everything to complete your project. We also we offer a wide and impressive variety of exterior tiles, all with amazing traits and stunning surface designs. Spanning from cool, contemporary stone effect tiles to more warm and classical designs, there is bound to be something for everyone in our range. freephone 0800 156 0756 www.crowntiles.co.uk BATHROOM TILES KITCHEN TILES FLOOR NATIONWIDEFREETILEBATHROOMUNDERFLOOROUTDOORNATURALMOSAICSTILESTILESTILESHEATINGACCESSORIESACCESSORIESTILESAMPLESDELIVERY TILES the new simple way to buy tiles tile visualiser PHONE ï CLICK ï VISUALISE See tiles in your home
Glowing globes
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This IP44-rated pendant from Lights & Lamps can be fitted to the wall or ceiling. It’s suitable for zones 2 and 3, which may get occasional splashes of water. Measuring W690xD690xH275mm and available in matt black or light brass with opal glass globes, the dimmable design requires four G9 bulbs. Chelso 4 light matt black and opal flush, £159. (lightsandlamps.com)
Custom look Made from FSC-certified melamine-faced chipboard (MFC), the Morley range comes in eight colours and wood finishes. Tallboy in Driftwood and Indigo, W30xD30xH169cm, £345, vanity unit, W60xD43.3xH54cm, £395, and mirror, W60xH54cm, £155, Bainbridge stone countertop basin, £195, LBC wall-mounted basin mixer in brushed brass, £275. (theluxurybathcompany.co.uk)
Fancy flooring Zellige tiles originate from Morocco where they are handcrafted from clay. This White Octagon Zellige comes as a 320x320mm mosaic sheet of octagons and small squares. Suitable for walls and floors, it costs from £199.20 per sqm. (ottotiles.co.uk)
Plain to see The Evoco shower has an overhead rose and handheld spray, which operate individually or at the same time via a push button. You’ll know when the water reaches your preset temperature as the control button lights up. Choose from chrome, matt black or brushed nickel. From £412 for the chrome (mirashowers.co.uk)finish.
If you want to bring pattern to your scheme, the porcelain Sadie countertop washbowl from London Basin Company resembles a woven basket. Each handmade basin is unique, as the production process results in subtle variations in the colour and pattern. Measuring Dia405xH145mm, it costs £849. Theo tap in black, £560. (londonbasincompany.com)
BATHROOM EDIT It’s in the detail Made from glazed porcelain, these dainty tiles come as a mosaic sheet that can be laid on walls or the floor. There are six colours to choose from, including this Pink. Copenhagen Penny Round tiles in 294x290mm sheets, £108.03 per sqm. (firedearth.com)
Decorative piece
Bath for life Formed from 100 per cent recyclable Lucite acrylic, this durable freestanding bath measures L1,600xW800xD580mm and is resistant to scratches and UV damage. Its exterior can be finished in a range of matt colours for an additional £595. i-Line Pool bath in white, £1,995. (watersbaths.co.uk)
So tactile With a lacquer coating, the new matt black finish for brassware and accessories from Keuco feels velvety soft. It’s an option across the brand’s extensive Ixmo collection – including the Flat, Soft and Pure designs – as well as the Plan and Reva accessories. Ixmo Pure single-lever mixer, £260, Reva towel rail, £130, and lotion dispenser, £138, Plan cosmetic mirror, £325, Stageline vanity unit, W1,000xD490xH625mm, £3,145. (keuco.com)
WORDS WOODSPAULA
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® Starck f, a new generation shower toilet for state-of-the-art, natural toilet hygiene. Maximum comfort is guaranteed thanks to technical finishing touches such as a motion sensor for automa tic lid opening through to a wide range of setting options for seat heating, water spray and the controllable warm air dryer. Combinable with all Duravit design series thanks to its uncompromisingly puristic design. www.duravit.co.uk
Starck f. Iconic design. Maximum comfort.
PROJECTS BATHROOMS 120 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM Forward-thinking design and product innovations revealed Shaping the future WORDS PAULA WOODS Eco-friendly materials Recycled, reused or sustainably sourced natural materials are ever more widely available from both mainstream and specialist manufacturers. This MDi porcelain unit is made from 50 per cent recycled materials. Inbani Strato MDi modular vanity unit with integrated washbasin, W116xD50xH30/45cm, £3,822, West One Bathrooms (westonebathrooms.com)
Hi-tech surface Furniture in a matt finish is contemporary and elegant. Some manufacturers such as Duravit (duravit.co.uk) have developed coatings that resist annoying finger marks.
More is more Ornamental decoration provides a contrast to practical fittings. To prevent corners peeling, standard wallpaper must be away from the splash zone and only used in a well-ventilated room. Aula paste-the-wall, spongeable wallpaper in Hummingbird, £171 per roll, linen, £138 per m, Romo (romo.com). Essex cast Cian bath in Khaki Green, L1,510xW759xD575mm, £2,805, BC Designs (bcdesigns.co.uk) Utility chic More common in the kitchen, steel taps are ideal for a sleek bathroom scheme. Marine-grade or 316 stainless steel is durable, and corrosion and impact resistant.
3One6 tall basin with mono marine-grade stainless steel tap, £349, Crosswater (crosswater.co.uk)
Ketho.2 semi tall unit in taupe, W40xD24xH132cm, £565, single drawer vanity unit with basin, W61xD39xH44cm, £596, horizontal shelf unit, W80xD15xH17cm, £240, sensor-controlled mirror with lighting, W60xH70cm, £615, Duravit
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Decorative arts It may be the smallest room in the house, but that doesn’t mean the bathroom can’t have a big stylistic impact. Bold patterns on the walls and/or the floor are the way to go.
Teardrop gloss ceramic wall tile in black, 152x172mm, £70 per sqm, available from August, Verona (veronagroup.co.uk)
Swing bathtub in LivingTec and walnut, L1,600xW700xD640mm, vanity unit, W1,360xD500 xH520mm, with double basin, Dia400xH130mm, shelf with mirrors, W1,360xD130mm, £POA, Ex.t (ex-t.com)
Upscale showering Space is a luxury so opt for a generously sized shower for everyday indulgence. Screens and enclosures with black frames echo the latest window and glazed door designs. Helsinki matt black premium easy-clean 8mm hinged shower door, W1,400xH1959mm, £459.99, Bathroom Mountain (bathroommountain.co.uk)
Tradition reinvented Look out for contemporary reinterpretations of classic 19th- and early 20th-century sanitaryware made with easy-care modern materials.
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With an eye on energy efficiency, electric radiators have programmable settings to help you stay in control. Step radiator in three sizes with infrared options for weekly programming, from £2,346 for a 775x500mm model, The Radiator Company (theradiatorcompany.co.uk)
Heating when you need it
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Several manufacturers offer online tools to help you visualise a new scheme, and some have virtual reality (VR) headsets to use in the showroom. Kaldewei (kaldewei.co.uk) will even send you a pair of cardboard VR glasses. Centro Duo steel enamel inset bath, L1,700xW750xD485mm, £5,750, Centro countertop basin, W600xD500xH120mm, £1,320, Superplan Zero shower floor, from £582 for a 700x700mm model, Kaldewei
Architectural details Retaining features such fireplaces, ceiling beams, floorboards and coving reflects the move towards more characterful, less clinical bathroom design. Blenheim acrylic bath with classical feet in chrome, L169xW75xD47cm, with legs, 63.5cm, £1,028, Burlington (burlingtonbathrooms.com) Standalone style Basin vanity units that look freestanding are becoming more widely available. Ideal for creating the focal point of a scheme, multipurpose designs with storage included are space-savers too. Stelle vanity unit in solid FSC-certified walnut, W30xD40xH78cm, £499, Bahya marble basin, Dia35xH15cm, £109, Tikamoon (tikamoon.co.uk)
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Planning innovation
● An experienced interior designer will consider your requirements and come up with practical, creative solutions. They will also be familiar with all the latest trends.
PROJECTS BATHROOMS Natural hues Looking for colour inspiration? Try the warm and energising tones of burnt sienna and terracotta. Hoxton Gloss porcelain tiles in Burnt Orange, 240x60mm, £50 per sqm, Mandarin Stone (mandarinstone.com)
● As interior designers are not government regulated it’s important to hire a trained professional. recommendationsPersonalarea good place to start. You can also search the BIID’s online interestscontractongoingindemnityconduct,adheredesigner).(biid.org.uk/find-interior-registerAllBIIDmemberstoastrictcodeofholdprofessionalinsurance,havetrainingandofferathatreflectsthebestofbothparties.
● Interior designers take the hard work out of sourcing products and trades, as they have access to an exhaustive list of suppliers and reliable contractors. They can co-ordinate the works and advise on any permissions you might need.
STYLE COUNCIL Interior design advice from Mathew Freeman, president of the British Institute of Interior Design (biid.org.uk)
● Start by creating a detailed brief or wishlist that will help a designer understand what you want to achieve – include project and budget requirements. They will tell you whether your plans are realistic, as well as turning your ideas and concepts into a workable design.
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● Ask prospective designers to explain how they cost a project. Some charge an hourly rate, others require a fixed fee for the project or a percentage of the overall budget. Once you are clear on the pricing structure and have agreed to the work, get a written contract.
ALL YOU NEED TO CREATE YOUR DREAM PROJECT OUT MID AUGUST 50+ PAGES OF INSPIRING SELF-BUILD AND RENOVATION PROJECTS PHOTOGRAPHY KELTANENKRISTA Exclusive preview of the new TV series SEPTEMBER ISSUE Grand Designs Reveal!Grand Reveal! COMING NEXT MONTH Conservation area solutions • Guide to insulation • Best eco-friendly paints
PHOTOGRAPHY CHISNALLMATTQUINN,BRADLEY RESOURCES Introducing the best products and services for your project TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION Please call 020 3225 5200 ext 688 or email richard.woodall@grand-designs.com
128 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM Luxury Whirlpool Baths Expertly hand cra ed in the UK, to your exact requirements. 61-62 Lower Dock Street, Kingsway, Newport NP20 1EF | 01633 244555 www.pegasuswhirlpoolbaths 40% discount code: DIY VAT RECLAIMS FOR NEW BUILDS & CONVERSIONS J M Daniel Business Services Ltd 0161 763 5304 jayne@vatrepayments co uk vatrepayments co uk successfullyyouyourandIofferaprofessional,friendlyhelpfulservicewithaverycompetitivefeestructure.IcanhelpyoumaximisetheVATrefundreceiveduponcompletionofclaimandwithanyquerieshavethroughoutthebuild.FinalfeepayableAFTERclaimrefundedfromHMRC. JayneDaniel,FCCA
MAGAZINE.COM/ AUGUST 2022 129 RESOURCES 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. Interested? Visit quooker.co.uk or call 0345 833 3333 for our sparkling offer. DORGLAZE VISION PANELS FOR DOORS ® NORTH 4 DESIGN LTD T: 0208 885 4404 / NORTH4.COM NORTH4.COM The TIEWIRE is CE Marked. T: 0845 6431945 F: 0800 2798881 E: sales@tiewire.co.uk W: tiewire.co.uk The TIEWIRE is the component of choice and has solutions for new conservatory roofs, refurbishments, solid roof replacements and traditional Contemporaryconstruction. design allows the TIEWIRE, with its 6mm diameter stainless steel cable to blend into the background. THE ALTERNATIVE CONSERVATORY TIE BAR Arridge Garage Doors Since 1989 • Top Brands • Discounted Supply only to trade and retail • Quality installation service available sales@arridgegaragedoors.co.uk arridgegaragedoors.co.uk • 01691 670 394 REVIEWS 4.82 Rating Innovative and Unique Heating Design T: +44 (0)1908 271155 E: info@pitacs.com W: www.aeon.uk.com AEON is the designer heating division of Pitacs Limited Each design is a statement and a sculptural addition to contemporary interiors. Discover your favourite design Scan to view the Aeon Collection
ABOVE Built into the dividing wall is a three-sided gas fire from Dru (drufire.com)Fire
ABOVE LEFT Underfloor heating was fitted beneath the porcelain floor tiles from (saloni.com)Saloni
Also as brick was stipulated by the planners as being appropriate to the house, we opted for a brick and block cavity wall construction. The kitchen is striking The units are off the shelf from DIY Kitchens (diy-kitchens.com) and have been sprayed a bespoke petrol green. This left room in the budget for marble-effect quartz worksurfaces. The island doors are brass wrapped and the splashback is brass too. As is the sunken seating It’s stepped down to give extra ceiling height and create a sense of grandeur, though the teal walls and ceiling make it feel intimate. It’s separated from the kitchen and dining area by a screen wall that spans three quarters of the extension’s depth. As the clients requested, this keeps it distinct from the rest of the space, but it’s also easy to see, and walk, through the entire floor. A set of sliding barn-style doors lead to the front of the house. And the garden? Sliding and pivoting glazed doors provide improved access to the outside, which includes a sunken terrace that mirrors the interior.
Architect Mark Smyth incorporated a change in floor level in his design for this extended home
Studio Bua, studiobua.com
MY GRAND IDEA
PROFILE WORDS WOODSPAULA PHOTOGRAPHY MATTHEWSANDY 130 AUGUST 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM
FAR LEFT £300,000.extensionThecostTheglazedslidingaluminiumdoorsarebyMaxlight(maxlight.co.uk)
Tell us about the house It’s a four-bedroom 1920s-built family home in Raynes Park, south London, which hadn’t been updated since the 1960s. I was asked by my clients Lisa and Toby ConwayHughes to remodel and increase the size of the ground floor, add a main bedroom with en suite and make the family bathroom bigger. What did you propose? There was space on the plot for a two-storey rear extension, with a 75sqm ground floor spanning halfway across the house and into the side-return, and a 26sqm addition to the first floor above. Were there planning issues? No, although prior to the build Lisa and Toby voluntarily reduced the size of the first-floor extension at the request of their neighbours.
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