BUILDING YOUR DREAM Ah.Design leads the way for self-builders and homeowners
B
ournemouth-based architects AH.Design are making their mark providing an alternative for self builders and homeowners looking to build their dream home or improve their existing property. Since its formation in
2007 the company has gone from strength to strength and one of their latest projects in the rural setting of Charlton Marshall, Dorset was rewarded with a Grand Design Live Awards nomination. When Julie and Carlo Fanciullacci unexpectedly won a sealed bid for a council-built 1980’s bungalow, they had plans drawn up for a large extenstion to transform the building into a 2-storey traditional house. Unfortunately they couldn’t convince the Local Planning Authority to accept their designs, so after numerous fruitless discussions they turned to AH Design for advice. From their initial meeting, Tony Holt of AH Design immediately saw
“Since its formation in 2007 the company has gone from strength to strength and one of their latest projects in the rural setting of Charlton Marshall, Dorset was rewarded with a Grand Design Live Awards nomination.”
the property’s potential. “When I first set eyes on the bungalow, I was
Due to the extensive use of cedar cladding, AH.Design
staggered at the way in which it completely turned its back on one
was able to use solid wall construction techniques rather
of the most spectacular views in Dorset. It was clear from the outset
than
that the site presented a unique opportunity to create a building that
method, which is used to build 90% of the houses in the UK.
the
more
traditional
but
labour-intensive
cavity
wall
embraced its surroundings. However, there was a budget, and we had
The results are spectacular, as demonstrated by the nomination at the
to work hard to find a solution that maximised all of the site’s potential
Grand Designs Live awards where Carlo and Julie’s uber-contemporary
whilst using construction techniques that would provide the end
house was judged to be amongst the top 60 self-build properties in the UK.
result without over-stretching Carlo and Julie’s financial resources.”
In response to the demand for professionally managed building
The 3,500 ft house sits in an elevated position with views
services AH.Design is set to launch a full design and build service
over the local countryside. It is designed to reflect and blend in
with a difference, offering an alternative route for self-builders and
with its rural surroundings, having a zinc roof, cedar cladding,
homeowners who can take advantage of their expertise in design
and barn-like proportions. When presented to the planners in
and construction. “We plan and programme every build, and
a
Authority
manage the site and the trades, to ensure quality, cost effectiveness,
praised the design and gave positive feedback, even though the
and value for money,” says Tony Holt. The company will soon be
revised proposals were far larger than Carlo and Julie’s previous
launching a website that offers a advice and guidance for anyone
proposals. The planning application was submitted and granted
contemplating a building project. There will even be links advertising
in just 8 weeks with strong support from the Planning Department.
opportunities
pre-application
consultation,
the
Local
Planning
for
self-build
land
and
refurbishment
projects.
The 5-bedroom house is without doubt a success on all levels, and
They say that every cloud has a silver lining, and the housing market
the entire build was delivered within Carlo and Julie’s £300k budget.
downturn has proved to be good news for Britain’s army of self-builders
“From the outset we considered how the design could be delivered in a
and homeowners looking to improve their existing properties. Now they
cost-efficient way. We reused 70% of the existing foundations which cut
can call on expert advice and guidance to help them in realizing their dream.
costs but still allowed Carlo and Julie to reclaim VAT from most of the build costs. We assessed the building at the concept stage like a business
For any further information you can contact Ah.Design on
plan, and cut costs in areas that allowed us to enhance other more
+44 (0)1202 375651 or access the following website
important areas, to ensure that they achieved the best home possible.
www.ahdesign.co.uk