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HOW TO INSULATE YOUR HOME AND STAY COSY THIS WINTER COLOUR WITH A CONSCIENCE: YOUR ECO PAINT GUIDE TV EXCLUSIVESERIES Your first look at the new houses IDEAS BATHROOMFORLIGHTING FITTHEFORFUTURE Renovating and retrofitting a Victorian terraced home untouched since the 1960s GRANDDESIGNSMAGAZINE.COM GRAND DESIGNS September 2022 £4.40 FREE INSIDE! –ENTRY TO GRAND DESIGNS LIVE WORTH UP TO £20* *T&Cs APPLY

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A Perfectly Coordinated Modern Kitchen Scotland Aberdeen 01224 588944 Broughty Ferry 01382 731560 Edinburgh South 0131 3436007 Edinbury North 07881 823987 Fraserburgh 01346 513473 Galashiels 01896 759944 Glasgow 0141 611 1231 Glenrothes 01592 774474 Haddington 01620 824888 Perth 01738 638822 West Lothian 01506 857007 Blackburn 01254 693765 Brighouse 01422 887426 Bury 01204 772870 Fleetwood 01253 283786 Grimsby 01472 343853 Harrogate 01423 862286 Hull 01482 653355 Leeds 0113 3910179 Macclesfield 01625 464955 Nelson 01282 611172 New Mills 01663 746851 Newcastle 01915 805456 Northallerton 01609 780289 Sheffield 01246 416642 Warton 01772 631316 York 01904 479792 Bromsgrove 01527 882939 Burton-upon-Trent 01283 384892 Dudley 01384 455755 Hampton-in-Arden 01675 442705 Leicester South 01530 833960 Leicetser North 01455 561200 Ludlow 01584 871960 Northampton 01604 385050 Nottingham 01159 842842 Stamford 01780 654321 Stoke on Trent 01782 832741 Telford 01952 291278 Worcester 01905 335408 Biggleswade 01767 314446 Bishops Stortford 01279 898710 Chelmsford 01245 392792 Hemel Hempstead 01442 803303 Holt 01263 711979 Ipswich 01473 742200 Loughton 020 84189192 Norwich 01603 666161 Royston 01763 271991 Clapham 0208 6730572 Abingdon 01235 554773 Arundel 01243 696700 Banbury 01295 222316 Basingstoke 01256 810460 Brighton West 01273 957778 Camberley 01252 522400 Canterbury 01227 379300 Esher 01372 467464 Fordingbridge 01425 650235 Guildford 01483 573989 Heathfield 01435 866435 Horley 01293 786116 Horsham 01403 259320 Melksham 07500 520140 Newbury 07788 418975 Oxford East 01844 279900 Polegate 01323 409222 Reading 0118 334 7144 Sandhurst 07843 609683 Stockbridge 01264 333123 Storrington 01903 741004 Waterlooville 02392 176380 Winchester 01962 870077 Witney 01993 704105 Wokingham 0118 9783393 Barnstaple 01271 267310 Bideford 01237 423444 Bristol 01179 246002 Dorchester 01305 520848 Gloucester 01452 310451 Helston 01326 565522 Ivybridge 01752 897800 Portishead 01275 244225 Purbeck 01929 422345 Sherborne 01935 817111

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MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 5 Contents News 13 TV SERIES PREVIEW A selection of projects to look out for this autumn 111 KITCHEN UPGRADE The latest designs, surfaces and appliances 127 BATHROOM EDIT Stylish new additions for the smallest room 111 146 13 September 2022 Regulars 11 EDITOR’S LETTER 19 KEVIN McCLOUD Our editor-at-large pays tribute to the architecturally uplifting utility buildings of the past 71 SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE 13 issues of Grand Designs magazine for just £29.99 146 MY GRAND IDEA A water self-sufficient home in Mexico

6 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM 61 22 CONTENTS Homes 22 SOUTH LONDON REMODEL Updating an innovative but tired timber-frame house on the iconic Walters Way 34 SOMERSET FARM BUILD How one family turned a disused cowshed into a modern home 47 VICTORIAN RENOVATION While fixing up an unloved east London mid-terrace, the new owners fell for it themselves 61 LAKESIDE SELF-BUILD Despite having no prior experience, a Finnish family took the plunge and built their own home Projects 77 GRAND BUILD Up-to-date information on finding a plot 83 GRAND GUIDE Ten amazing homes in conservation areas 93 FOCUS ON INSULATION Ensure your home is as thermally efficient as possible for the colder months 103 BUYER’S GUIDE TO ECO PAINT What to consider when choosing an environmentally friendly option 117 PROJECT KITCHENS Add character with these quirky design ideas 93 103

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GRANDDESIGNSMAGAZINE.COM GRANDDESIGNSLIVE.COM facebook.com/ granddesigns instagram.com/ granddesignstv twitter.com/ granddesigns pinterest.co.uk/ granddesignsmag 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, STEVEN TABBRON 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 y Timelessly beautiful y Matching Door and Window Hardware throughout y Looks good, feels good and built to last To view range of styles and finishes email tomarketing@coastal-group.comrequestbrochure. Front Entrance Door Hardware Window Handle Internal Door Handle An Exceptional Entrance Doesn’t End At The Front Door... LIFE E GUARANTEE L FE M E GUARANTEE LIFETMEGAURANTEE L EFT M E GUARANTEE MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 9

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EDITOR’S LETTER COVER

In the 23 years GrandDesigns has been on screen, it’s given us unrivalled insight into the tribulations and triumphs of several hundred Grand Designers as they grappled with ambitious projects. From converted water towers, castles and caves to sleek and streamlined self-builds, we’ve marvelled over the architecturally diverse mix of homes and the unique challenges presented by each one. And there’s more to come. In this issue you’ll find a preview of some of the projects in the new series, which is just a few weeks away. Plus, the show will revisit memorable builds like the north Devon lighthouse. Turn to P13 for details. To get even more ideas for your own self-build or renovation, pay a visit to Grand Designs Live (granddesignslive.com), which returns to Birmingham’s NEC from 5-9 October. Kevin McCloud, Grand Designers and a whole host of experts will be appearing on stage in the Grand Theatre, and one-to-one advice will be available in the Ask an Expert area. Buying a ticket will also give you access to Green Living Live, which showcases eco-friendly products and services from companies that put sustainability at the heart of their businesses. Take advantage of the free ticket offer on P79. It’s going to be an inspiring autumn. PHOTO NICK DEARDEN

This TurnheritagebecausestrictAustralia,housethree-bedroominMelbourne,hadtoobeyplanningrulesit’sinaprecinct.toP83formorePHOTOGRAPHY RICHARDSONANTHONY MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 11

@StylianidesK KAREN STYLIANIDES, EDITOR

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MAGAZINE.COM/ SEPTEMBER 2022 13 With a new season of Grand Designs coming to our screens soon, take a look at some of the exciting projects you can expect to see over the coming weeks Watch spacesthese Modular construction LOCATION Near Tunbridge Wells, Kent GRAND DESIGNERS Rob and Kate PROPERTY TYPE Two-storey prefab BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 2 SIZE 114sqm INITIAL BUDGET £350,000 PLOT COST Already owned DESIGNER Dick Shone, Boutique Modern (boutiquemodern.co.uk) Keen to replace their rundown post-war prefab home, but lacking the confidence to tackle a complex project, Rob, 58, and Kate, 47, commissioned a readymade house that was built in a factory and delivered to the site on the back of a lorry. Six modules prefitted with everything from kitchen cupboards to light switches were joined together and hooked up to services, then wrapped in Corten steel and larch timber. The result is the quickest build ever seen on Grand Designs. TV SERIES PREVIEW

TV SERIES PREVIEW

Retired racehorse breeder John, 72, planned to build a hi-tech home that would ensure a more comfortable future for himself and his wife Helen, 65, a retired vet who had a stroke in 2018. The couple plan to sell their 17th-century farmhouse to fund a new wheelchair-accessible home on a nearby plot, complete with wildlife garden and self-cleaning swimming pond, with John’s son Ollie as project manager. But dovetailing the sale of one house with the construction of another has been harder than they anticipated.

Lighthouse revisit LOCATION Croyde, north Devon GRAND DESIGNER Edward PROPERTY TYPE Two-storey house with four-storey tower BEDROOMS 5-8 BATHROOMS 5 SIZE 602sqm INITIAL BUDGET £1.8 million PLOT COST £1.4 million ARCHITECT Alan Phillips Architects (alanphillipsarchitects.co.uk)

Following the breakdown of her marriage and a cancer diagnosis, chef Corinne, 58, craved a fresh start so set about building a new home on a strip of land next to her house, which is in a conservation area. As the plot is tiny and awkwardly shaped, the construction proved particularly difficult. But overcoming these challenges will give Corinne incredible views of the city as Sydenham Hill is one of the highest points in the whole of London. Small plot solution LOCATION Sydenham Hill, south-east London GRAND DESIGNER Corinne

14 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM Modernist pavilion LOCATION Dunstable, Bedfordshire GRAND DESIGNERS John and Helen

PROPERTY TYPE Single-storey villa BEDROOMS 2 plus 1 in annexe BATHROOMS 3 plus shower room SIZE 440sqm plus 29sqm annexe INITIAL BUDGET £1.3 million PLOT COST £850,000 ARCHITECTS James Arkle and Richard Copperwheat, ArkleBoyce (arkleboyce.co.uk)

PROPERTY TYPE Three-storey home BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 2 bathrooms plus a cloakroom SIZE 211sqm INITIAL BUDGET £600,000 PLOT COST Already owned ARCHITECT Simon Skeffington, Architecturall (architecturall.co.uk)

A memorable episode, first aired in October 2019, followed the halting progress of this ambitious lighthouse-inspired house looking out over the north Devon coast. The project started in 2012 with the aim of providing a stunning new home for Edward and Hazel and their two daughters. But the build was beset by problems. Edward, 54, who works in the music industry, was left with debts of around £4 million and the couple later divorced. More than a decade after work began, Grand Designs returns for a much-anticipated update.

PLOT

Adele and Colin, who have two grown-up children, bought an uninspiring property and planned to replace it with a gravity-defying cantilevered house with curved walls. Influenced by Scandinavian style and Art Deco buildings, Adele, 51, who is a yoga teacher, and Colin, 52, the CEO of a film and TV production company, appointed a respected Swedish architect to deliver a showstopping design, unaware of the financial and practical hurdles ahead.

Countryside

MAGAZINE.COM/ SEPTEMBER 2022 15

Three-storey

Mike and Sarah, both 56, bought an 18.5-acre smallholding in the Derbyshire Dales. It didn’t include a house, so their architect designed one inspired by a medieval longhouse. The layout accommodates the couple’s elderly parents and has guest bedrooms for when their two daughters visit. The undulating, faceted roof echoes the contours of the surrounding countryside. But will the design’s complexity allow for a trouble-free build? home LOCATION Derbyshire DESIGNERS Mike and Sarah Two-storey longhouse 5 BATHROOMS 4 SIZE 495sqm BUDGET £945,000 COST £250,000 Jillian Mitchell, Lomas and Mitchell Architects (lomasandmitchell.co.uk) project LOCATION South Manchester and Colin PROPERTY TYPE house BEDROOMS 5 BATHROOMS 7 SIZE 700sqm INITIAL BUDGET £700,000 COST Already owned ARCHITECT Vasco Trigueiros, Trigueiros Architecture (trigueiros.net)

Elevated

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16 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

Constructing a multilevel house on a steeply sloping site would challenge any seasoned self-builder, but that didn’t deter novice Grand Designers Matthew, an Australian digital product designer, and Zimbabweborn Davidzo, a financial business partner. They decided to demolish a 1950s bungalow to make way for a striking home wrapped in flint and charred timber that takes inspiration from around the world, all while juggling demanding careers and looking after their two young 50, who have three children, wanted to build their home beside a protected Saxon hill fort. The planners insisted it should be hidden several metres below ground, with one window peeping out over the valley and a subterranean carpark. This posed such huge technical issues that Dorran, a Merchant Navy captain, and Vereuschka, who works for a pharmaceutical company, parted ways with their contractor and took on the project themselves.

Underground living LOCATION Canterbury, Kent GRAND DESIGNERS Dorran and Vereuschka PROPERTY TYPE Earth-shelter house BEDROOMS 4 BATHROOMS 4 SIZE 400sqm INITIAL BUDGET £1 million PLOT COST £375,000 ARCHITECT Richard Hawkes, Hawkes Architecture (hawkesarchitecture.co.uk) ● The new series of Grand Designs is on Channel 4 this autumn. Features on the TV houses will be published in Grand Designs magazine. All information correct at time of going to press Sloping site design LOCATION Chess Valley, Hertfordshire GRAND DESIGNERS Matthew and Davidzo PROPERTY TYPE Triple-level house BEDROOMS 5 BATHROOMS 5 SIZE 300sqm plus 55sqm store INITIAL BUDGET £560,000 PLOT COST £800,000 ARCHITECT Nicolas Tye, Tye Architects (tyearchitects.com) WORDS WESTGATEALICE PHOTOGRAPHY TYE+FRENCHHASLAM,ANDYBOLTON,MARKSMITH,JEFFERSON TV SERIES PREVIEW

Dorran,children.47,and Vereuschka,

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Factories such as Temple Works (templeleeds.com) in Leeds, West Yorkshire, built in 1836 as a flax processing mill but to all intents and purposes a reproduction of the ancient Egyptian temples of Antaeopolis and Horus, were often richly decorated.

Perhaps most famous is the pumping station at Crossness (crossness.org.uk), near London, which for all the world resembles a gothic cathedral, clothed in decorative painted cast-iron quatrefoils and arches. But non-ecclesiastical themes were just as popular. There are sewage- and water-pumping stations that resemble little cottages – the 1928 Van Sasse station (vdkamp.eu) at Grave in the Netherlands – or self-important technical schools – the Radialsystem XI (radialsystem.de) in Berlin, Germany. Others took their architectural language from factories and warehouses – the pumping station at Marly, Belgium –or monasteries – the RC Harris Water Treatment Plant in Toronto, Canada, which makes a clever attempt to disguise a chimney as a belfry. America’s Greater Cincinnati Water Works company deserves a class all of its own for a suite of buildings around the city that suggest it might have raised Palladio from the Architects used to create utility buildings that were worthy of celebration, says our editor-at-large ‘0ur landscape is full of biggerjustandthoughtlessdeposited,crapthedepositskeepgettingandbigger’

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 19

EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

A rchitecture can crop up in the most exciting and unusual places. I’m writing this at the end of a hot summer’s day in Norfolk, where we discovered an award-winning house by the renowned architecture firm 31/44 (3144architects.com). It is hidden within a modern, steel portal-frame grain store, the kind of plain, ugly agricultural lump you’d expect to see on any agro-industry farm. Except this one was different. Portal-frame buildings come in red oxide primer or galvanised steel, but the frame of this structure was painted in a semi-matt near-black. They are usually clad in cheap corrugated cement board, but this one sported a sheath of larch boards arranged on edge like a series of fins. These buildings aren’t architecture because they come out of a catalogue, don’t require planning permission on a working farm and are designed to house barley mountains, cows or a collection of massive diesel-powered machines. But this one was longlisted for House of the Year, which will air after the new series of Grand Designs has finished. The class distinctions of architecture were not always so brutally divisive as now. Driving the A14 to Norfolk, it’s only just possible to recognise a massive Amazon warehouse as a different kind of building to an electricity substation, as different again to the Ford factory in Dagenham, Essex. Utility buildings are utilitarian, commercial buildings are make-do, agricultural shacks are dreadful, developer housing is dreary, while one-off commissioned buildings are solitary beacons of excellence that shine a weak light across a landscape of bland mediocrity. Putting it bluntly, our landscape is full of deposited, thoughtless crap and the deposits just keep getting bigger and bigger. Yet, as I say, it wasn’t always so. Model 19th-century farms were constructed as architectural perfections for humans and animals alike, ornamented with brickwork to ennoble the arts of husbandry and tillage.

I know I’m romanticising this point and glossing over the appalling exploitative working conditions of the Victorian age. But I can promise you an hour of romantic delight if you ever decide to spend time on the internet looking at Victorian sewage pumping stations or waterworks of the 1860s, even the 1920s. At a time when cities were growing around the planet and in need of all kinds of infrastructure, architects became the purveyors of polite disguise, dressing up the sheds of rude and unpleasant mechanical service into theatrical confections that imitated other buildings.

Kevin McCloud

The now-demolished Egyptian Homebase in Kensington, London, is worth looking up as one of postmodernism’s more hilarious late 20th-century retail design moments, although architect John Outram’s pumping station on the Isle of Dogs, London, is a triumphant thing. What does matter is that, 40 years on from the height of postmodernism, we no longer have the conviction to celebrate our utility buildings, agro-industries and factories with any flourish or craftsmanship, any confidence or bravado. Our wasteincineration plants, Amazon depots and supermarket warehouses remain as culturally barren in their physical presence as in their commercial offering. Meanwhile, long live the rarities like Crossness Pumping Station. And may the confidence that inspired Battersea Power Station, Temple Works and every fine architectural uplifting of an agricultural shed continue to burn. disused reservoir in Hull was turned into a family barn in Norfolk is on RIBA House of Year longlist

the

20 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM A

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PHOTOGRAPHY HASLAMANDYDEARDEN,NICK

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Sir Giles Gilbert Scott would have a tough time giving any distribution warehouse or agricultural shed an architectural identity these days. The new waste-incineration plants that are being built in Britain appear to be just embarrassed to find themselves where they are. They don’t confidently shout, ‘We burn rubbish.’ I’ve noticed two new ones both sited next to motorways, the M5 and the M1, both plonked onto greenfield land zoned for industrial use. They just wave a curvy tin roof or point a metal-clad wall meaninglessly at an angle. They aren’t really architecture because they don’t look like they belong where they are or speak of their function or the community they serve. It doesn’t matter that we no longer overwrite our factories, warehouses and utility buildings with the confected languages of the past – whether historically accurate or re-interpreted.

EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

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 grave and implored him to design utility buildings in the manner of Greek temples, country houses, villas and Admittedly,palaces.until the 20th century, utility architecture had not found its language. Then, in 1909, architect Peter Behrens designed the turbine factory for AEG in Berlin, Germany, an unfussy and overtly engineered building that pointed to the future, not the past. It inspired a liberating new culture of industrial and utility buildings that reflect their functions. In Britain the new ‘Weor,thatwhatforbuildingthemselvesUtilityforengineeredfurnaces.obviouslylikeBatterseaPowerself-publicisingis‘brickforgenerationvolumesArt(mylondonpower.com)thebyBankside(batterseapowerstation.co.uk)Batterseaandpowerstations(tate.org.uk)architectSirGilesGilbertScottforprogressiveLondonPowerCofusedsimpleDecobrickworkwiththemassiverequiredforelectricityatacityscale.Scott’sstylethesepowerhouseshasbeendubbedcathedral’,butintruthhislegacyasuiteofbuildingsthatspeakoftheenergyoftheLondonCoitself.ThechimneysonPowerStationmaybeflutedclassicalcolumns,buttheyaresothefunnelsforenormouscoalTheyshoutwhattheydo.Thisconfident,honestandopenlyarchitectureblazedatrailtheutilitycompanies.InthenewAgetheycouldproudlybrandinafuturisticandmodernstylethatwouldtelltheworldthefirsttimewhotheywereandtheydid.Inotherwords,buildingsproudlystated,‘Wemakepower,’‘Webringyoufreshwater.’Even,pumpyoursewage.’

IN BRIEF LOCATION Honor Oak, south London TYPE OF PROPERTY Extended timber-frame house BEDROOMS 3 PROJECT STARTED September 2016 PROJECT FINISHED March 2019 SIZE 118sqm BUILD COST £120,000

HOMES SOUTH LONDON MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 23 Community spirit With a little help, one couple have risen to the challenge of updating their architecturally iconic home WORDS AMY FREARSON PHOTOGRAPHY TARAN WILKHU THIS PAGE AND LEFT A single-storey rear extension replaces a garden studio that was in the same spot

Jo, 44, who works in arts education, and Justin, 54, an actor turned filmmaker, had outgrown their flat in north London following the birth of their two children, Max, 14, and Tom, 11. The three-bedroom house for sale in Walters Way was cheaper than other suburban homes of its size and had the potential for improvement – several houses in the cul-de-sac had already been extended.

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24 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM alters Way is a cul-de-sac of 13 houses built in the 1980s using a timber-frame method developed by the late Germanborn architect Walter Segal. Jo Evans first became aware of these pioneering self-builds after the Architects’ Journal, the magazine her journalist father Barrie Evans worked for, published a special issue about them. Then, more than three decades later, she and her partner Justin Allder ended up buying one. The houses are a post-and-beam construction that was designed to be straightforward for inexperienced selfbuilders to grapple with, which prompted an innovative initiative by the London borough of Lewisham in the late 1970s. People on the council house waiting list were invited to build their own homes on council land and buy them through a subsidised mortgage. Walters Way and the nearby Segal Close are the results.

ABOVE Closer to the street than before, the new front door is recessed to create a sheltered porch RIGHT Justin, Max, Jo and Tom on the terrace

HOMES SOUTH LONDON MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 25

‘It looked very tumbledown, which I think frightened other people off,’ says Jo. ‘But I knew I could ask my dad about any issues, so that gave us the confidence to go for it.’

Jo and Justin asked architect Jon Broome, who had worked with Walter Segal on the scheme, to explore how they could add space to their home and improve its thermal efficiency. As Jon was coming up to retirement, his associate Sam Brown took charge of a redesign that included wrapping a ground-floor extension around the rear north-facing corner. Dark-stained larch cladding on the exterior would conceal a layer of wood-fibre insulation.

ABOVE To avoid replacing the entire kitchen, Jo and Justin kept some of the cabinetsoriginalandfittedanewoakworksurface

RIGHT A timber column next to the dining table reveals the original position of the exterior wall

HOMES SOUTH LONDON 26 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

The couple quickly got into the self-build spirit, adding a garden studio and patio deck, but they soon realised a more substantial refurbishment was needed. ‘The walls were not soundproof, the building was poorly insulated and environmentally it was a disaster,’ says Jo. ‘We could see daylight through the walls in some places.’

The three-bedroom house had the potential for improvement

Gaining planning permission was straightforward, but the build was a different story. The couple felt the only way to avoid spiralling costs was to manage the project on a job-by-job basis. They subcontracted some tasks to a local builder who had worked on a few Segal houses, but tackled a lot themselves. ‘There was a bit of tension at first, when I realised Jo and Justin wanted

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 27

LEFT Sliding and bi-fold glass doors open on to a timber patio. The Eames RAR rocking chair is from Vitra RIGHT In the living area a ancoffeeSitsTokyoasideboardcustom-madedoublesasbenchseat.ThesofaisfromandtheErcoltablewaseBayfind

Planning permission was straightforward, but the build was a different story

HOMES SOUTH LONDON 28 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

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HOMES SOUTH LONDON 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM FLOOR PLANS GROUND FLOORFIRST FLOOR LIVING AREA KITCHENDININGAREA SHOWER SNUG OFFICE BATHROOM BEDROOMBEDROOM BEDROOM

Having overcome all setbacks, the couple’s tenacity paid off as they have a bigger kitchen and living room, better-proportioned bedrooms and a new hallway, snug and office. Tall pocket doors create a sense of space, while sliding and bi-fold doors let in plenty of light and provide better access to the garden.

Thanks to the thermal improvements, the house costs no more to heat than it did before, despite its increased size. Plus, in future the roof could be upgraded with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and timber screens added over the first-floor windows to provide solar shading.

FAR LEFT AND ABOVE LEFT Jo relaxes in the office. She made the bookshelves, but enlisted her brother, a carpenter, to help with the detailing of the built-in desk

For Jo and Justin, remaining part of the close-knit neighbourhood was the biggest incentive for taking on the project, and they know that help is on hand to advise them on any future changes. ‘As much as we love the design of the house, the community is fundamental to why we love living in Walters Way,’ says Jo.

Jo proved a capable project manager, but inexperience led to lots of troubleshooting and living in the house during the build added an extra level of stress. The family spent a whole summer with boarded-up windows because the new glazing wasn’t ordered early enough, and Jo had to convince a neighbour to let them dig up her garden to redirect a sewer. ‘I felt totally out of my depth,’ says Jo, ‘And I was constantly panicking about how much it was going to cost.’

a sort of flatpack assembly guide, which becomes very expensive,’ explains Sam, who collaborated with another firm, Map Architecture. ‘We had to find a balance of how much information we could provide, and when to leave Jo and Justin to make their own decisions.’

ABOVE The original staircase has been boxed in, but the slatted oak

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oftobalustradesscreenhelpmaintainasensespace

ABOVE A new Velux skylight over the stairs brings in more light to the first floor. Jo made the cabinet in the family bathroom and did the tiling herself HOMES SOUTH LONDON 32 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM SUPPLIERS PROJECT TEAM Architects Jon Broome Architects (jonbroome.co.uk), Map (map-architecture.co.uk)Architecture Structural engineer Paul Owen Associates (paulowen.co.uk) Building contractor Kris Building Services (07756 338959) FoundationsSTRUCTURE(quadrabuild.com)Quadrabuild Electrics Dulwich Electrical (dulwichelec.co.uk)Contractors Plastering Fine Edge Plastering Services (07411 140606) Windows and doors (velfac.co.uk),(sunseekerdoors.co.uk),SunseekerVelfacVelux(velux.co.uk) Rooflights The Rooflight (therooflightcompany.co.uk)Company Larch cladding Silva (silvatimber.co.uk)Timber Insulation(rockwool.com)Rockwool FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Kitchen surface Worktop (worktop-express.co.uk)Express Bathroom fittings (lussostone.com)Lusso Tiles Fired Earth (firedearth.com) Engineered oak flooring Wood 4 Floors (wood4floors.co.uk) Slate floor tiles Artisans of (artisansofdevizes.com)Devizes Lighting Original (originalbtc.com)BTC FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Dining table Made (made.com) Dining chairs and coffee table eBay (ebay.com) Living area sofa Sits (sits.eu) Living area chairs Heal’s (heals.com), Ikea (ikea.com), Vitra (vitra.com)

As all the beds were part of the house’s original replacedtheystructure,hadtobeduringtheimprovementwork.Thecouplebuilttheirown,aswellthetwoboys’ MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 33

34 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM IN BRIEF LOCATION Tickenham, north Somerset TYPE OF PROPERTY Converted agricultural building BEDROOMS 5 PROJECT STARTED November 2020 PROJECT COMPLETED September 2021 SIZE 281sqm LAND COST Already owned BUILD COST £700,000 HOMES SOMERSET

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 35 Due to claddingexceedconstraints,planningthehousecouldnotthefootprintoftheoriginalbuilding.Thecedarwillweathertogreyovertime An unassuming cowshed was the answer to one family’s search for a place they could settle for the long term AT HOME ON THE FARM WORDS ALEXANDRA PRATT PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON BURT

36 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM aving lived in five houses over ten years, Amelia and Mike Taylor were feeling the strain of moving between homes that never quite met their family’s needs. Because Mike, 49, is a brigadier in the British army, the couple and their two children, Olivia, ten, and Arabella, nine, had moved into a succession of military properties each time he was posted to different parts of the country. But as Mike nears the end of his career, the family were finally able to put down permanent roots. ‘My dream was to return to the farm where I grew up,’ says Amelia, 42, who runs a clothing company. It was Amelia’s father, Stewart Plant, 77, who came up with the idea of converting the farm’s cattle shed, which has been redundant since the switch was made to arable crops. But getting planning consent wasn’t easy. Following 18 months of negotiations, during which Amelia and Mike overcame the local council’s concerns regarding noise pollution and farmyard health and safety, the couple gained permission to convert the shed under Class Q permitted development rights (PDR), which allows an agricultural building to become a home within strict limitations After getting the green light, Amelia and Mike’s planning consultant introduced them to Geoff Smith at Shu Architects, who designed a Passivhaus-certified conversion, focusing on airtightness and insulation to limit the building’s heating requirements. Main contractor Make helped them exceed these targets. To this end, a new structure was built inside the shed’s steel frame. Walls made from insulated cassettes of engineered timber I joists, oriented strand board (OSB) with an airtight coating and a wood fibre board, which also acts as a breather membrane, plus the steel frame, are wrapped in cedar cladding. The design includes a ventilation space between the walls and the Amelia, Mike, Olivia, Arabella and Jeff the dog relax on the terrace. The flooring is timber-effect porcelain planks from Marshalls H

HOMES SOMERSET redwood and oak triple-glazed sliding doors lead from the open-plan living area to the garden

FSC-certified

BeautifulAntlerlivingthroughoutrunsthespace.ThelightisfromHalo

original insulated steel sheet roof. On the west- and south-facing sides of the house, the walls are recessed to shade them from the sun. ‘It doesn’t reach inside the house until late in the day, which keeps things cool,’ says Amelia.

To ensure the family’s home stays warm, the walls and roof are insulated with cellulose-fibre insulation made from recycled newspaper. A layer of rigid insulation lies beneath and around the edges of the new concrete raft foundation. The house also has triple-glazed doors and windows, while fresh, filtered air comes from a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system. An airsource heat pump supplies the hot water and radiators.

The Passivhaus design and initial specifications exceeded Amelia and Mike’s initial budget. So they made savings by retaining the original roof, putting off getting solar panels until some time in the future when they can afford them, and choosing an off-theshelf kitchen rather than going for something custommade. Just a month after they got the local authority’s

The worksurfaceSilestoneaanHowdenskitchenClerkenwellfromincludesislandwithwraparoundCalacatta LEFT Luxury vinyl tile flooring from Amtico

HOMES SOMERSET 38 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 39

40 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM go-ahead for the project, the couple had to adapt to the challenges of lockdown. With the delivery of supplies and shopping for fixtures and fittings hampered by the restrictions, most of what the couple needed had to be found online. ‘One time I stood outside a tile showroom looking at samples held up to the window,’ says Amelia. ‘But we managed to avoid a lot of delays by ordering well in advance.’

The couple took Geoff’s advice about the layout of the rooms, separating the living space from the bedrooms with a gym, the two offices and a boot room. Amelia was keen to have a big open-plan space with a seating and dining area and a kitchen. ‘I used to get frustrated if the houses we lived in didn’t have room for a table in the kitchen,’ she says.

ABOVE The spacesaving, barn-style doors to the pantry are a nod to the building’s agricultural origins RIGHT In the living area a low-level picture window was designed to frame the view

The project has transformed their lives. ‘We’re just 100m from my dad,’ says Amelia. ‘The best thing has been the space for our family. It’s changed our quality of life.’

HOMES SOMERSET MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 41

42 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

The couple’s bathroom features Rocco Black and Bottle Green Gloss Hoxton tiles from Mandarin Stone and a MilanofreestandingIrwellbath

FLOOR PLANS DINING AREA PANTRY KITCHEN LIVING AREA GYM PLANTROOM BOOT ROOM OFFICE OFFICE EN SUITE BEDROOM DRESSINGROOMDRESSINGROOM BEDROOM BEDROOMBEDROOMBEDROOM STORAGE SNUG EN SUITE EN SUITE

‘The best thing has been the space for our family. It’s changed our quality of life’ County Kerry bed from Revival Beds adds a traditional touch in the couple’s room. Behind it are the doors to their dressing rooms

HOMES SOMERSET MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 43

A

FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Bubble chandelier Dowsing & (dowsingandreynolds.com)Reynolds

Main

STRUCTURE Wall

Cladding

Planning

Floor

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Decking Marshalls (marshalls.co.uk) Paint Dulux (dulux.co.uk) Tiles Fired Earth (firedearth.com), Mandarin Stone (mandarinstone.com) Kitchen Howdens (howdens.com) Kitchen worksurface Silestone (sile-stone.com) Floors Amtico (amtico.com) Sanitaryware Better (betterbathrooms.com)Bathrooms Bath Milano (milanobrand.com)

Air-source

Quantity

PROJECT TEAM Architect Shu Architects (shuarchitects.uk) contractor Make (makegroup.co.uk) surveyor Ross Management Services (rossmsl.co.uk) consultant CSJ Planning (csj-planning.co.uk) design Gabrielle Blackman (gabrielleblackman.com) engineer Build Collective (buildcollective.co.uk) contractor Greengauge (ggbec.co.uk) certifier Etude (passivhaus1.etude.uk) and roof insulation Warmcel (warmcel.co.uk) insulation Kingspan (kingspan.com) Vastern Timber (vastern.co.uk) heat pump Vaillant (vaillant.co.uk) MVHR system Zehnder (zehnder.co.uk) Green Building Store (greenbuildingstore.co.uk)

Structural

Passivhaus

SUPPLIERS

Interior

Kitchen bar stools Dunelm (dunelm.com) Stool covers Cadbury Country (cadburycountryinteriors.co.uk)Interiors Kitchen pendants Heal’s (heals.com) Antler pendants Beautiful Halo (beautifulhalo.com) Beds John Lewis (johnlewis.com) Sofa Loaf (loaf.com) Bedside lights Wayfair (wayfair.co.uk) Main bed Revival (revivalbeds.co.uk)Beds

HOMES SOMERSET

The Amelia’sfarmhouseandedgecowshedconvertedisontheofthevillagenexttothewherefatherlives 44 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

Glazing

Electrical

OurProSeampanelsystemisavailableincolour coatedsteel,aluminium,andstainlesssteeland istheperfectchoiceforyourdreamhouse. ProseamEnergi-Roofincorporatesathinfilm solarmoduleturningyournewroofintoa state-of-the-artpowerstation. BradcladLimited,ThorpArchEstate, Wetherby,Leeds,LS237FY. www.bradclad.com Forpricinganddesignadvicetohelpyouwithyourproject,callour salesofficeon01937538188oremailtoenquiries@bradclad.com. TheBradcladGrouphasbeenmanufacturingmetal standingseamroofsystemsintheUKforover25years.

Renovating and extending a Victorian house during the pandemic made one couple reconsider its future in their lives

HOMES EAST LONDON MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 47

Labradoodle Shadow gets comfy in the kitchen extension

A place tostay awhile

WORDS CAROLINE EDNIE PHOTOGRAPHY NICK DEARDEN

Based on the recommendation of a friend, the couple consulted with architecture practice Daykin Marshall Studio. ‘One of the things that stayed with us after our first discussions with the team was that every space should be useful to the way we live,’ Sahar explains. ‘We went on to discuss three or four designs each with a different cost and chose the one that we could afford.’

On further investigation, it became clear that the outrigger was beyond saving, as there were significant The

hen Dan and Sahar Robinson started looking in east London’s Leyton area for a refurbishment project in 2019, their plan was to buy a property, fix it up, sell it on and move further out of the city. But the couple’s thinking changed after they bought a mid-terrace Victorian house, partly because the pandemic struck, but also because they met an architect whose design would convince them to stay put.

afterthinkingcouple’schangedtheyboughtthemid-terraceVictorianhouse

The house Dan, 39, and Sahar, 35, bought was a probate sale and in a very poor state of repair. ‘It had been home to a lady who had lived there practically all her life and she was in her nineties when she passed away,’ says Dan. ‘The surveys documented that the only bit of the house in good repair was the outside toilet. But it was nothing that couldn’t be dealt with and structurally it wasn’t too bad. We bought it because we loved its style and the Victorian features.’

48 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM IN BRIEF LOCATION Leyton, east London TYPE OF PROPERTY Extended Victorian terrace BEDROOMS 3 PROJECT STARTED January 2020 PROJECT FINISHED March 2021 SIZE 115sqm PROPERTY COST £500,000 BUILD COST £330,000

HOMES EAST LONDON

Project architect James Daykin was excited by the prospect of working on a building that had remained unaltered for such a long time. ‘The property hadn’t been touched since the 1960s,’ he explains. ‘Projects such as Dan and Sahar’s are a chance to show what can be done to this type of London house.’ The plan was to carry out a deep retrofit – improving the thermal performance, installing new electric, water and heating systems – and create more space by adding rear and side extensions to the original two-storey outrigger structure at the back of the house. The overall design scheme would make the house more contemporary while retaining some of the original features.

To ensure the kitchen ceiling height met planning regulations, the floor was lowered

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 49

50 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM cracks in the walls between it and the main body of the house caused by previous subsidence. It had to be demolished and was rebuilt under permitted development rights (PDR) – but with better insulation and a more open-plan layout on the ground floor. The rear extension was also built under permitted development rights, while the side infill extension required planning permission.

The new cavity walls are blockwork with a brick outer skin that complements the original Victorian brick of the house and its neighbours. ‘The design team wanted to give the extension’s exterior character and texture,’ says James. ‘We came up with a horizontal ribbed effect by stepping the brick in and out by 25mm on alternate courses.’ Inside the extension the kitchen and dining area are a step down from the rooms at the front of the house. But the spaces are bright, thanks to big, triple-glazed picture windows, chosen as they are less expensive than sliding or bi-fold doors, and overhead glazing.

During the renovation work at the front of the house, Dan, who is a barrister, and Sahar, a foreign policy and international human rights consultant, uncovered some unwelcome surprises beneath the layers of wallpaper and the floor coverings. Some walls were unstable and had to be repaired, and the downstairs floorboards, which they had hoped to retain, were unusable. Only the staircase, upstairs floorboards and living room door were salvageable. Ultimately, the building was stripped back to the brick, all the old windows replaced with tripled-glazed versions and insulation installed. ‘The only place where there’s a minimum of insulation is the inside of the front wall,’ explains James. ‘If we’d added any more, space would have been sacrificed to limited benefit.’ Upstairs, the layout was reconfigured to create a much bigger bathroom and three good-size bedrooms. And on the ground floor a polished concrete floor was installed throughout, beneath which is wet underfloor heating.

HOMES EAST LONDON BELOW AND LEFT A bespoke kitchen by Matrix Design includes a fluted splashbackglassand a whiteworksurfacecomposite

FLOOR PLANS GROUNDFIRSTFLOOR FLOOR LIVING ROOM STUDY KITCHEN-DINER SNUGSTORAGEWC BEDROOM BEDROOM BEDROOM BATHROOM

52 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

Dan, Sahar and Shadow in the snug. A row of hornbeam trees in the garden creates privacy from the neighbours

Dan and Sahar lived in a rented home a few miles away while the work was underway, but during the pandemic they moved to the Yorkshire Dales. ‘Managing the project remotely made the process slightly longer,’ Dan explains. ‘It got trickier when there were delays with the delivery of some elements, such as the windows, due to a backlog.’ But in March 2021 the work was complete and the couple moved in. ‘James’s design has definitely persuaded us to stay for longer,’ says Dan. ‘We’re still working from home and have turned the bedroom overlooking the garden into an office, but we also use the kitchen and the garden. It’s a lovely place to work – and live.’

HOMES EAST LONDON MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 53

Big, triple-glazed picture windows and overhead glazing ensure that the spaces are bright

The garden path was made with spare bricks from the construction of the extensions

the

In

HOMES EAST LONDON the living room Reclaimed Brick paint from Claybrook echoes the colour of the windowextension’sframes

54 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

RIGHT A bedside table from Amara sits on stripped and wasThefloorboardssandedintheguestbedroomoriginalstaircaseliftedoffthefloorandsuspendedwhilethepolishedconcreteflooringwasinstalled

HOMES EAST LONDON 56 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

SUPPLIERS

Chairs and coffee table Anthropologie (anthropologie.com) Painting Anna Hymas (annahymas.com) Kitchen stools Rockett St (rockettstgeorge.co.uk)George Snug chairs Anthropologie, Cox & Cox (coxandcox.co.uk), Loaf (loaf.com)

The tubEarthmosaicDolcibathroomfirst-floorfeaturesBonBonHexfromFiredandaBetteluxbyBette

PROJECT TEAM Architect Daykin Marshall Studio (daykinmarshall.com) Structural engineer Blue (blueengineering.co.uk)Engineering Rear windows and glazed doors Velfac (velfac.co.uk) Front windows and timber sash windows George Barnsdale (georgebarnsdale.co.uk) Rooflight Sunsquare (sunsquare.co.uk) Brickwork Ibstock Brick (ibstockbrick.co.uk)

STRUCTURE

FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Lighting design House (designhousestockholm.com)Stockholm Living room sofa Loaf (loaf.com)

HOMES EAST LONDON 58 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

Pendant light Tom Dixon (tomdixon.net)

Rug Rockett St George Bedside table Amara (amara.com) Bed Feelgood Eco Beds (feelgoodecobeds.co.uk) Study chair Liberty (libertylondon.com) Hornbeam trees (deepdale-trees.co.uk)Deepdale

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Kitchen Matrix Design (matrixkitchens.co.uk) Appliances Bora (bora.com), Miele (miele.co.uk)

Paint (claybrookstudio.co.uk)Claybrook Lighting Enigma (enigmalighting.com)Lighting Bathroom wall and shower tiles Fired Earth (firedearth.com) Bathroom floor tiles Claybrook Bath Bette (my-bette.com) Basin and loo Duravit (duravit.co.uk)

For more information on the Kensa Evo call 0345 222 4328 or visit www.kensa.group/evo For more information on the Kensa Shoebox call 0345 222 4328 or visit www.kensa.group/shoebox MODELS: 7, 9, 13, & 15kW ENA ‘CONNECT & NOTIFY’ APPROVED SERIESEVOKENSA GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP TRANSFORMED HEATING REVOLUTION • Up to ErP A+++ • Minimised running costs • 60°C hot water REFORMED FOR SMART EVOLUTION • Unique intelligent controls and diagnostics • Unrivalled technical support • Simple to install • Plumbing flexibility THE GROUNDSMALL-BUT-MIGHTYSOURCEHEATPUMP KENSA SHOEBOX KEY FEATURES • Install inside the home • Space saving-solution • Quiet operation • Provides heating & cooling • Hot water up to 65°C • Pairs with district systems • Revolutionises heating for flats The multi-award-winning Shoebox series embodies the most innovative ground source design in the most compact of packages SCAN TO WATCH THE LATEST SHOEBOX VIDEO controls SCAN TO WATCH THE LATEST EVO VIDEO multi-award-winning series most design Models: 3kW & 6kW ENA ‘CONNECT & NOTIFY’ APPROVED

in partnership with BUILD ADVICERENOVATION& Grand Designs Live is teaming up with Schüco who develop and supply aluminium and steel system solutions for doors, windows and facades, to deliver a day of discussions, expert advice and inspirational products for your home project. 10 SEPTEMBER • MILTON KEYNES SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER SCHÜCO SHOWROOM, MILTON KEYNES, MK10 0AL REGISTER NOW AT granddesignslive.com/roadshow INTERACTIVE TALKS The panels will discuss how to increase light and ventilation into your home and the latest building regulations FREE ONE-TO-ONE ADVICE Discuss your project plans and get advice from architects and industry experts SHOWROOM TOUR See the latest products that Schüco have on the market, including the brand-new bi-fold door FREE ENTRY Featuring Kunle Barker ONE DAY EVENT

HOMES FINLAND MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 61 Righttimefirst Novice self-builders relocate to the Finnish lakes and build an idyllic three-storey family home WORDS REBECCA FOSTER PHOTOGRAPHY KRISTA KELTANEN/LIVING INSIDE STYLING JONNA KIVILAHTI IN BRIEF LOCATIONFinlandJyväskylä, TYPE OF PROPERTY Detached self-build BEDROOMS 5 PROJECT STARTED April 2018 PROJECT FINISHED February 2020 SIZE 450sqm LAND COST £220,330Around BUILD COST Around £1.7 million Homeowner Emili documented the build process on Instagram via @uudessavalossa

The couple’s search for a new home started in 2014, but two years later they hadn’t found anything suitable that was close enough to the lakes and the schools, shops and other amenities of a city. Emili, 35, who is studying law, and Henry, 38, who runs an international importing business, eventually decided that they would try and build a house. ‘As most of Henry’s time is taken up with work, I agreed to take the lead on the design and project management even though I’d no experience,’ says Emili. Luck was on their side. Emili and Henry’s first online search for land revealed a sloping plot on the shore of Lake Päijänne. ‘Henry could imagine us having a view of the water from the front door and being able to walk through the house and onto a jetty,’ Emili recalls. The site came with permission to demolish its 1960s cottage. ‘We spent a night in the house before making a final decision as to whether to buy the land. In the morning, we were certain it was the perfect location for us,’ says Emili. The plot was bigger than they needed, so Emili and Henry split it in two and sold one half, which still left plenty of land on which to build their home. ‘We wanted a contemporary, Scandinavian-style house with an open-plan living area,’ says Emili. Architect Katja Jämsä worked with the couple and Lammi, a construction company specialising in stone houses, on a design that would do justice to the lakeside setting and S ‘We’d wanted to relocate to the central lakeland region of the country for a while’ Henry, Emili, Aamos, Eevert and Olga on the steps down to the terrace, which have frameless balustradesglass

62 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM ome of life’s best things happen when you take a leap of faith, which is exactly what Emili and Henry Aulakoski discovered when they decided to build a house. The couple have five children – Oliver 14, Aurora, 12, Eevert, 10, Aamos, 8, and Olga, 7 – and the entire family was squeezed into a three-bedroom home in the north of Finland. ‘We’d wanted to relocate to the central lakeland region for a while and knew the move would be easier while the children were young,’ says Emili.

HOMES FINLAND MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 63

HOMES FINLAND 64 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM include all the practicalities needed by a family of seven. ‘Katja revised the plans multiple times until they matched what we hoped for,’ says Emili. They discovered that the site was on an old plan of the town and had been earmarked for a structure with a tower. Though it had never been built, Emili and Henry liked the idea and designed their home with a tower-like top floor, which includes a guest bedroom and a playroom. ‘We found the idea of a modern house with a tower quite funny,’ says Emili. Completing the planning process was mostly straightforward. ‘We found the best strategy was to be honest and open about what we were hoping for,’ says Emili. ‘Henry and I did seek exemptions from some of the local planning rules such as when we wanted a black roof instead of a red one.’ The couple chose an energy-efficient build system based on the principles of passive solar Emili designed the slatted timber ceiling in the living area. The Melt pendant lights are by designer Tom Dixon and the daybed is from Bo Concept BELOW LEFT The oak flooring in the entrance hall has been laid in a herringbone pattern and finished with oil. The front door is from Schüco

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 65

66 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

‘We found the best strategy was to be honest about what we were hoping for’

LEFT The streamlined kitchen from Noblesse includes integrated Miele appliances

‘But our home was created with love and every aspect tells a story, like the sliding glazed doors that open to welcome the beauty of nature inside.’

Emili and Henry kept an eye on their home’s progress from a house they rented across the road from the site. ‘I felt that this would be our first and last project, so I wanted to make sure every detail was right,’ Emili explains. ‘Henry and I visited the build every Unfortunately,evening.’before the house was made watertight, the glazing supplier went bust leading to delays. ‘This was probably the hardest phase, along with installing the heating, ventilation and cooling systems, as it ate up most of the budget without the build seeming to move forward,’ she says.

Despite the setbacks, Emili acknowledges the confidence working on the project has given her and how much she’s learned along the way. ‘If I ever built another house, I’d be much braver,’ she says.

HOMES FINLAND

heating – the high thermal mass shell absorbs and retains the sun’s warmth in the summer, keeping the interiors cool, and releases the heat in the winter. A ground-source heat pump was installed and powers the underfloor heating.

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 67

Emili and Olga at the kitchen island, which features a hardwearing Dekton worksurface

68 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM FLOOR PLANS GROUND FLOORFIRST FLOORTOP FLOOR GYM WCBEDROOMGARAGE SAUNA BEDROOMBEDROOM TERRACEGLAZED LIVINGAREA DINING KITCHENAREA BEDROOMBEDROOMUTILITYROOM SAUNA MEDIAROOM

HOMES FINLAND MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 69 ‘I felt that this would be our first and last project, so I wanted to make sure every detail was right’

The guest room is in the highest point of the house, on the lake side of the tower. The walls are painted in dark Nova 7 paint by Tikkurila LEFT A bathroom on the lower ground floor includes a sauna. The marble wall tiles are from Mirage and the tub is from Tellkamp

PROJECT TEAM Architect Katja Jämsä (katjajamsa.fi) Structural engineer Toltti (toltti.fi) Contractor Reijo and Veijo Heimonen (rkmreijoheimonen.fi)

Rocking chair Fredericia (fredericia.com) Bedroom paint Tikkurila (tikkurila.co.uk) wooden jetty leads out to the lake. The standalone sauna is on the left

STRUCTURE House supplier Lammi (lammi.fi) Windows and doors Raami Nordic (raami.fi), Schüco (schueco.com)

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Electrics Sisämaan Sähköpalvelu (sisamaansahkopalvelu.fi) Steel stairs Grado Design (grado.fi) Kitchen Noblessa Jyväskylä (noblessakeittiot.fi) Appliances Miele (miele.co.uk) Dekton worksurfaces Cosentino (cosentino.com) Bathroom tiles Mirage (mirage.it)

FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES

SUPPLIERS

Lighting Artek (artek.fi), Flos (flos.com), Petit Friture (petitefriture.com), Tom Dixon (tomdixon.net) Dining table Muotocom (muotocom.fi) Daybed Bo Concept (boconcept.com) Sofas HT Collection (htcollection.com)

HOMES FINLAND 70 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM A

Shower fittings Grohe (grohe.co.uk) Bathtub Tellkamp (tellkamp-design.de/) Sauna Iki Kiuas (ikikiuas.com) Floor Timberwise (timberwise.fi) Ceiling Ninapinta (ninapinta.fi) Interior doors Avec (avec-ovet.fi) Smart home system KNX (knx.org)

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

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www.studio11architecture.co.uk01945467339 We are a collective of creative designers producing distinctive, designwithconceptionskillsWecommitmentarchitecturefunctionalwithatosustainability.havetheexpertiseandtotakeyourprojectfromtocompletionareputationofquality,excellenceandservice. An award dreams.playspacesWeandquality,witharchitecturewinningpracticeareputationfordesignexcellencecustomerservice.designbespoketolive,workandtailoredtoyour 01553 www.studio11architecture.co.uk970033

PHOTOGRAPHY GARDINERRORY PROJECTS How to find a plot to build on 77 10 homes conservationinareas 83 Focus yourinsulatingonhome 93 ecoguideBuyer’stopaint 103 In a Georgian-styleconservationLeicestershirearea,thisfive-bedroom,housewasextendedwithgreatcare.TurntoP83formore MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 75

This NortherninBeautyOutstandingforgecentury-oldconvertedfour-bedroomandextendedblacksmith’sisinanAreaofNaturalonthecoastCountyAntrim,Ireland

PROJECTS

Securing the right site is essential for a successful self-build, so make sure you use all the tools at your disposal

Top tips for finding perfecttheplot

GRAND BUILD MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 77

Since more people than ever want to build their own homes, good sites can take some time to track down. But if you are patient and are prepared to consider a range of plot options, you will increase your chances of success. Once you have a realistic idea of your project budget, the search can begin. Bringing an architect on board when you find something promising can be helpful as they’ll assess the land’s suitability and uncover any potential pitfalls.

Where to start Use a variety of plot-searching tools to improve your chances of finding your perfect plot. Websites such as Grand Designs magazine Land Finder by Addland, Plotfinder and Buildstore Plotsearch advertise

If you are patient and are prepared to consider a range of plot options, you will increase your chances of success

A percentage of land can’t be developed due to protections imposed by the government. Constructing a new house in an area that hasn’t been built on before, such as designated greenfield land, can be difficult. Many home-building plots tend to be on brownfield sites – sites that have been developed in the past. If you spot a piece of land that has potential and want to find out more about it, the local authority’s land-use development plan maps will indicate its classification, which will give you an idea of what it can be used for. The next step is to check its ownership via the Land Registry aprovidebyevenandformsownershipapplicationsregardingplanningauthorityland-registry).search-property-information-(gov.uk/Also,thelocalplanningkeepsrecordsofallapplicationsmadetheplot.Anypastwillalsoshowitsatthetime,astheaskwhotheowneristhattheyarenotified–whenanapplicationissomeoneelse.Thisshouldthetitleregisterandplanoftheplot,whichwill

This five-bedroom home is on an 11m-wide plot by the River Ouse in Lewes, East Sussex. Planning was granted after the application went through the appeal process

PROJECTS GRAND BUILD 78 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM thousands of land listings. It’s also worth checking out property portals such as Zoopla andConsiderRightmove.registering your interest with the councils in the areas where you’d like to build. Local authorities must maintain a record of demand for plots to match the number of people who have shown an interest in building a home. Express an interest in what you’re looking for and sign up with nearby estate agents, as they’ll be the first to know about sites for sale. And speak to local architects and surveyors, as they’re likely to find out about new plots early. They may know of a site that’s not right for them, but perfect for you.

Suitable sites for single houses are often sold at auction, either as renovation projects or demolition and rebuilds. Ask local estate agents to alert you when auctions are upcoming. Try writing an enquiry letter including your contact details and post to all the houses in, or close to, your ideal area. Someone might be keen to sell their property, or a portion of their garden, or know of someone else looking to sell.

Finally, scour the streets for potential sites, and contact the planning department to see if an application has been submitted or contact the owners through the Land Registry organisations/land-registry).(gov.uk/government/ Can I build on it?

Speak to toarchitectslocalandsurveyors,asthey’relikelyfindoutaboutnewplotsearly

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 79 For self-build inspiration, renovation ideas and expert advice, visit this award-winning homes event from 5-9 October at Birmingham’s NEC YOUR FREE TICKET TO GRAND DESIGNS LIVE CLAIM YOUR FREE TICKET* TICKET OFFER

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Hosted by Kevin McCloud, our editor-at-large, Grand Designs Live brings the best home and interiors innovation to the city. Taking place over five days at Birmingham’s NEC, the show has four main sections – Build, Kitchen & Bathrooms, Gardens, and Interiors – plus the new Green Living Live show. These are some highlights.

Green Living Live

This is an entire area dedicated to eco-friendly products and services from companies that put sustainability at the heart of their businesses. Visit Kevin’s Green Heroes, championed by Kevin McCloud himself, to see a selection of the most innovative designs, and the Sustainable Future Theatre and Advice Hub, which is devoted to issues surrounding sustainability. ●For more information, visit granddesignslive.com Find us on…

To get additional tickets for just £11, visit granddesignslive.com and enter the code GDM11 when booking** *T&CS: THIS TICKET, WORTH UP TO £20, PERMITS FREE ENTRY FOR ONE PERSON TO GRAND DESIGNS LIVE 2022 IN BIRMINGHAM AND MUST BE CLAIMED ONLINE BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON 8 OCTOBER 2022. GRAND DESIGNS IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF FREMANTLE MEDIA LIMITED. LICENSED BY FREMANTLE MEDIA LICENSING WORLDWIDE. **£11 ANY DAY TICKET PROMOTION. THIS OFFER APPLIES TO STANDARD TICKETS ONLY AND MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON 8 OCTOBER 2022. A TRANSACTION FEE APPLIES. SHOULD YOU WISH TO RECEIVE EMAIL MARKETING WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FROM GRAND DESIGNS LIVE, GRAND DESIGNS MAGAZINE AND OTHER ASSOCIATED MEDIA 10 PRODUCTS, PLEASE TICK THE BOX TO AGREE. GRANDDESIGNSLIVE.COM/PRIVACY-POLICY

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If you’re starting a project or have a question along the way, bring your plans to the Ask an Expert area for a one-to-one consultation. There will be professionals in architecture, planning, design and construction to speak to. Book your free session in advance at whats-on/ask-an-expert.granddesignslive.com/ 400+ firms in one place Source products from top brands and meet unique suppliers you won’t find on the high street. Discover new materials, watch live demos and come away inspired. Live talks The Grand Theatre will feature Kevin McCloud, Grand Designers from the most recent series of The Streets, design-and-build experts and more. You can find upcycling demos and workshops on the Interiors Stage, as well as talks on decluttering and how to create a well-organised space.

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PROJECTS GRAND BUILD MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 81 PHOTOGRAPHY

set out who owns it and should show details of anyone else who has a right to the land.

WALKER-ARNOTTFIONACHISNALL,MATTMONAGHAN,AIDAN

If you find a plot and want to negotiate over the price, bear in mind that the land’s value will be dependent on many factors including its classification for use, location, size and the potential end value of what could be built on it. Unfortunately for self-builders, individual plots are often the most expensive per sqm. Agricultural land sells for less, and sometimes these plots are misleadingly advertised as available with planning permission. A site that appears to be a bargain may be inexpensive for a reason, so be cautious because it could leave you out of pocket in the end.

This plot is a Scheduled Ancient Monuments site and contains the ruins of a single-storeythepermissionsixmonastery.medievalIttookyearstogettobuildfive-bedroom,home

ONLINE RESOURCES

Buyer beware

Gaining build consent Avoid buying a plot without planning permission in place. You don’t want to end up with a piece of land with no development potential. If you’re determined that a site is the one for you, make an offer subject to achieving satisfactory consents. If the landowner is serious about selling, they will realise the benefit of waiting until permission is granted. There are two types of planning consent: outline planning permission (OPP) and detailed planning permission (DPP). OPP means that the local council has agreed the basic principle of a proposed development. It’s an outline of the scheme – for example, to erect a two-storey, threebedroom home with attached garage. It’s subject to the condition that full planning details will be submitted in advance of building work commencing. OPP is only valid for a certain period, and you will need to apply for DPP before starting work. If you want to buy a plot or property subject to planning consent, check the dates first. Be wary of plots that have planning permission close to expiry – six months can be too short – as planning departments can take up to 12 weeks in considering applications. If preparatory work or investigations are needed, this could substantially delay the process. Don’t dismiss a plot because you don’t like the permitted project design. You can submit a new application, even if DPP exists for a different design, without invalidating the existing permission that the site had when you bought it. If you find a plot and want to negotiate over price, bear in mind that the value will be dependent on many factors

Buildstore ZooplaRightmoveRightPlotfinderPlotbrowser(thelandbankpartnership.co.uk)Theland-finder)(granddesignsmagazine.com/Grand(communitylandtrusts.org.uk)Community(plotsearch.buildstore.co.uk)PlotsearchLandTrustNetworkDesignsmagazineLandfinderLandBankPartnership(plotbrowser.com)(plotfinder.net)toBuild(selfbuildportal.org.uk)(rightmove.co.uk)(zoopla.co.uk)

What size are the BubbleSpa droplets? A) 10mm B) 20mm C) 30mm Competition open from 9 August to 30 September 2022 TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. FOR FULL DETAILS, VISIT GRANDDESIGNSMAGAZINE.COM/TERMS-CONDITIONS Enter this exciting competition to be in with the chance of winning an innovative new design £1,499! WORTH UP TO

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ABOVE Relax with the Kelda BubbleSpa exposed mixer shower, £1,499 LEFT The BubbleRain droplets create a massaging sensation Shower manufacturer Kelda is an expert at combining air and water to create luxury shower systems. The company’s patented Air-Powered technology requires a fraction of the water used by standard designs, which is great for the environment and saves you money too. Its latest product is the BubbleSpa shower, which has a built-in microprocessor that mixes air and water before dispensing it through its 16 nozzles. The mixture breaks into a multitude of bubbles to create the BubbleRain experience. The showerhead is surrounded by a smart LED lighting system that provides three different visual effect options – stream, chain and drops. When fully illuminated each bubble is highlighted as it falls. The bubbles are around 20mm in diameter, which is big enough to mimic the gentle fingertapping motion of a traditional Swedish massage, for a refreshing and relaxing sensation. The BubbleSpa shower can be installed in any home, it requires a minimum water pressure of 1.5 bar, a hot and cold water supply, and an electrical connection to the shower point. It is available in a chrome and white finish, and three different styles. All of the designs come with a two-year guarantee. BubbleSpa wall-mounted mixer shower system worth £1,499, visitandgranddesignsmagazine.com/win/answerthefollowingquestion

TOP-FLOOR SOLUTION This brick-built, Georgian-style family house is in a conservation area of the Soar Valley, Leicestershire. It belongs to a commercial property agent and his wife. They wanted to extend and make space for a ground-floor kitchen, dining and living area and an en-suite bedroom upstairs. Architect Will Gamble designed a glazed 141sqm extension, taking the total size of the house to 400sqm. ‘Due to the conservation area planning requirements, the extension’s first floor, which can be seen from the street, draws inspiration from the style of the house and the village,’ says Will. ‘Whereas the ground floor is more contemporary and inspired by a garden pergola.’

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WORDS JAYNE DOWLE

Projects that have impressiveplanningnegotiatedstrictlocallawstoeffect

The extension, which took the tally of bedrooms up to five, has triple glazing with solar reflective glass to minimise solar gain during the summer and retain heat in the winter. An internal courtyard provides cross ventilation through the ground floor to passively cool the house, and reclaimed slate tiles were used for the new roofs. (willgamblearchitects.com)

Building, renovating and extending in conservation areas requires finding innovative solutions to planning constraints. But paying respect to surrounding buildings doesn’t mean you have to create a carbon copy. Traditional exterior finishes and details can be used in stylish modern ways. Repurposing materials aids authenticity and meets sustainability needs. Alternatively, with careful design, new-build homes and extensions can make a contemporary style statement of their own, especially when elements such as glazing are used with imagination.

Amazing homes in conservation areas

3

Pitched Black House is built on the site of a builders’ yard behind a row of Victorian terraced houses in the Brockley conservation area, south-east London. It was designed for Rhys Cannon, 43, a director of Gruff Architects, his partner Joanna Brindle, 43, and their three young children. ‘We wanted a haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city that would be appropriate to the site alongside a railway line and in the conservation area, but also had an element of fun,’ says Rhys.

Considering more than 80 neighbours live in flats on two sides of the plot, it was quite a feat to pull off in terms of planning. But approval was granted at the first attempt. ‘To lessen the impact of the house and avoid overshadowing neighbouring gardens, the building is inclined away from them and towards the railway line, with the roof angled at a 10-degree pitch,’ Rhys explains. Windows were also carefully positioned, with some elevations left blank for the sake of mutual privacy.

THE COMPLEX SITE

2

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The upper storey of the 152sqm house is partially supported by blue-painted steel columns, creating a covered entrance. The ground floor has an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, with a guest bedroom and a home office in the basement and three bedrooms on the first floor.

Spending £600,000 on the build, Rhys also had to overcame the challenge posed by the site’s proximity to a railway cutting. ‘When we piled into the ground we had to make sure nothing disturbed or threatened the safety of the railway line,’ he says. (gruffarchitects.com)

FOLLOWING THE FORM

Architect Gary Tynan and interior designer Claire Lepoivre, who are in their forties and have two daughters, built their own family home in the Monkstown conservation area of Dublin, Ireland. At the end of a row of Georgian terraced houses, the three-storey, four-bedroom house blends period styling and proportions with modern details. It has a spacious kitchen with a dining area on the ground floor that opens out to the garden. The windows are tall and deep-set, and a top-floor terrace has an angled corner that resembles a traditional masonry block or quoin. To match the original boundary wall, the base of the 190sqm house is built of rugged, sand-coloured granite blocks, while the upper levels are rendered and painted white at the front and grey at the back. ‘Typically, the fronts of the area’s older houses are painted and have plaster details, while the rears are a natural render colour,’ says Gary. ‘Our home follows this arrangement too.’ The building is stepped back to display the original plasterwork and reveal part of the gable end of the adjacent terrace. (studio-304.com)

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ON A LOWER LEVEL An Edwardian studio flat in the Muswell Hill conservation area of north London has been extended to create a two-bedroom home. Architect Christian Brailey, 32, and his partner, landscape designer Faye Johnson, 31, increased the studio’s footprint by 50 per cent by adding a Canadian Douglas fir-clad extension. ‘We had to seek planning, freeholder and Building Control permission for the new structure,’ says Christian. This is the first project that Christian – acting as architect, client, project manager and labourer – has completed. ‘We rethought the stock response of a full-width rear build,’ he explains. ‘Instead, the extension is along one side of the garden and sinks down to reduce its impact on the house, the neighbours and the view of nearby Alexandra Palace, which is protected as part of the conservation area.’ At the centre of the 65sqm flat is a split-level, L-shaped space with a kitchen, living and dining area. The extension’s glazing maximises the amount of light coming in. The kitchen has a cast concrete worksurface above Douglas fir plywood units and is lit from above by a 3m-long rooflight. The thermal efficiency of the flat has been improved with double glazing and natural wood fibre insulation. A mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system supplies filtered air. (christianbrailey.com)

COMPLEMENTARY MATERIAL CHOICE

The challenge was to create a contemporary design and satisfy planning conditions regarding which materials could be used for the 200sqm, four-bedroom house.

A three-storey terraced house in the Stroud Green conservation area of north-west London has been refurbished and given a full-width rear extension.

Owners Alan Macdonald, 42, a lawyer, and his wife Joaia de Sa, 40, a doctor, wanted to create a family home for their children, Elsa, 4, and Theo, 1. ‘The single-storey extension replaced a narrow kitchen with a large 30sqm one that has a dining area,’ says architect Joe Magri of Magri Williams.

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‘The original yellow stock brick was the starting point,’ explains Joe. ‘We chose a handmade brick with tonal variation in colour, which defined the new-build, but was sympathetic to the original London stock.’ A similar project would cost between £200,000 and £250,000. (magriwilliams.co.uk)

CONTROLLED INNOVATION

Built on the site of a derelict shop in a heritage conservation area in Darlington, Western Australia, Welcome to the Jungle is the family home of architect Clinton Cole, 49, director of CplusC, and his wife, Hannelore Henning, 45, an operations director, and their three children. ‘This area includes late Victorian terraced houses and post-industrial warehouse conversions,’ says Clinton. ‘The original shop’s spackled exterior had significance to the local neighbourhood, so replicating it on the new house was managed under a series of very strict controls.’ Eco innovations include exterior vertical planters for growing vegetables fed by an irrigation system, a pond served by an underground water tank so the family can farm their own fish, and a beehive on the roof. The 183sqm, three-bedroom house has a second living area that can act as a fourth bedroom. Clinton was the architect, builder and construction manager, and estimates project costs of around £3,478 per sqm, excluding architect fees, contingency fund and supervision. (cplusc.comau)

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A Grade II listed, three-storey Arts and Crafts merchant’s house in the Downs conservation area of Bristol was transformed for investor Alistair Haimes, 47, his wife, Jenny, 45, a pre-school teacher, and their three children. The project involved knocking through the kitchen into the dining room, turning the former washhouse into a breakfast room and adding a 20sqm garden room extension.

For a build cost of £509,600, Graham took out the side wall of the rear reception room, reconstructed the side return, added glazing sheltered by louvres for privacy, and joined the two spaces together to create a wide kitchen with dining area. Behind it, the old dining room was divided into a utility room, loo and music room.

PHOTOGRAPHY ERIKSEN,STALEBRAILEY,CHRISTIANTYE,+FRENCHCOY,MAISLINGGARDINER,RORY CHARDSONRIANTHONYSTASAITIS,EMANUELISGUTTERIDGE,NICKLASSMAN,MICHAEL

An imaginative use of internal housefive-bedroomtwo-storey,transformedspacea182sqm,terracedinnorthLondon’s Whitehall Park conservation area. All this was achieved while sticking to local planning rules and keeping the garden untouched for the family of four to enjoy. ‘The kitchen was in a side-return extension,’ says architect Simon Graham. ‘It was too small and low, didn’t relate well to the dining room and was cut off from the other rooms down a small flight of steps.’

PROJECTS GRAND GUIDE 7

Architect Nick O’Neill of Aaltspace Architects took great care in presenting his plans to the local council. ‘When the conservation officer realised I had a thorough understanding of the building’s history, he was more comfortable with the demolition of the mid-20th century washhouse,’ Nick explains. ‘He ended up endorsing the extension as distinct but sympathetic in scale to the house.’ It cost £130,000 for the alterations to the washhouse, renovations and extension – not including the fitout and decoration. The remodelling of the 390sqm, six-bedroom home teams the contemporary and the traditional in a harmonious way. ‘The layout better suits family life while retaining the house’s historical character and features,’ says Nick. (aaltspace.co.uk)

‘The kitchen floor was lowered to the level of the garden, providing a high ceiling and allowing us to increase the size of the French doors,’ says Graham. ‘We made them a real focal point for the room.’ (yardarchitects.co.uk)

A BALANCED APPROACH

AN INSIDE JOB

A former pub called The Freeholders Arms has been replaced by a new-build home in three connected blocks. It mimics the irregular clusters of cottages and terraces that characterise the conservation area of the north Norfolk seaside town of Wells-next-the-Sea. Its design had to remain in keeping with the quayside conservation area and the living spaces had to be on the first floor to mitigate the risk of flooding. The ground floor includes a workshop and a boat store opening out on the quay through a big wooden door. Upstairs, the living, dining and kitchen space benefits from views out towards the sea, and there are two bedrooms. It belongs to a Suffolk-based couple, who use it for their holidays. The 115sqm house, which cost around £600,000 to build, has a white-painted flint and brickwork section, a narrow Corten steel-clad part facing the seafront and a grey-painted render block behind. The project was designed by Ian Bramwell of Mole (molearchitects.co.uk)Architects.

A LOCAL ARRANGEMENT

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10 DESIGNED IN THREE PARTS South Fitzroy, the oldest suburb of Melbourne, Australia, is characterised by brick or rendered Victorian terraces. Mindful of the strict planning rules relating to this heritage precinct, Matt Gibson of Matt Gibson Architecture turned a detached Victorian house into three two-storey buildings separated by two courtyards – with the front part of the house retained. Arched windows on the first floor were specified to reflect the traditional local architecture. Designed for a professional couple and their two children, the three buildings that make up this 330sqm, three-bedroom home are connected by glass walkways. ‘At the front of the house the original masonry exterior was preserved and restored,’ says Matt. ‘Bricks recovered from the demolished rear wing were salvaged and reused on the two new-builds, ensuring the new work came out of the old.’ The build cost was around £870,000 to £1,1 million. (mattgibson.com.au)

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WORDS REBECCA FOSTER(CORNWALL-INSIGHT.COM)INSIGHTCORNWALLFROMINTRODUCTIONIN*DATA Nimtim (nimtim.co.uk)ArchitectsdesignedtherearextensionofahouseinLewisham,southLondon,usingcorkasaninsulatingcladdingmaterial.Seemoreoftheprojectoverleaf

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How to reduce your

With the price of gas and electric soaring – forecasts suggest prices could rise by 65 per cent in October 2022* – this is a good time to ensure your home has the highest level of thermal efficiency possible. Follow this advice when retrofitting your home or building a house from scratch. home’s heating demand money energy bills it up

and save

Wrap

on

PROJECTS INSULATION

Start with a plan

When self-building you have the advantage of planning energy performance goals and designing how to attain them from the outset of the project. Your architect and/or prefabricated house manufacturer will create a structure, with insulation included, that meets or exceeds Part L of Building Regulations, which covers thermal efficiency. But you will need to brief them if you want to go beyond the regulations. When retrofitting, the impact that new or upgraded insulation will have on ventilation and airtightness must be taken into consideration. It might even be necessary to create a plan for the entire property with adjustments made to elements affected by the insulation. ‘With a whole-house strategy you can plan a sequence of works and understand what unintended consequences might arise if you pause the project part way through, such as areas left untreated leading to condensation,’ says Paul Testa, director at Hem Architects (hemarchitects.co.uk). ‘Typically, you’d start with the jobs that are easy and cheap – but what these are will be different for every home.’ Start by checking your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which rates a building’s energy efficiency from A-G, and includes advice on possible improvements. Consider getting one if your home has never been rated or the certificate is more than 10 years old. They must be carried out by an energy assessor registered with the government, visit Find an Energy Certificate (gov.uk/find-energy-certificate).

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ABOVE, TOP AND RIGHT Nimtim Architects (nimtim.co.uk) made use of cork’s insulating properties by covering all of the extension’s exterior walls with the material. Cork panels also clad some of the interior walls. This sustainable product is made from the re-harvestable bark of cork oak trees. EcoCork board, £55.20 per sqm, Ty-Mawr Lime (lime.org.uk)

A person certified to PAS 2030 has been trained to British Standards Institute (BSI) requirements to carry out energy-efficiency measures such as loft insulation. A few insulation companies offer PAS 2030 energy-efficiency assessment and retrofit coordinator services. These firms tend to work under local authority tenders, carrying out work for them or as subcontractors to installers and building contractors. Most assessors are employed by installation companies, which can limit the choice of insulation they can recommend. The Insulation Assurance Authority website (theiaa.co.uk) lists companies and the measures they install, and can provide impartial assessor and retrofit coordination services along with access to recommended companies. If substantial work is needed, a PAS 2035-certified retrofit coordinator is trained to handle complex projects.

Help with retrofit work

Installation firms registered with the TrustMark scheme will also have access to assessment and coordination resources (trustmark.org.uk). Make sure that whoever you choose to fit your insulation is registered with an appropriate trade body, even better if this tallies with recommendations from friends and family who have had similar work done. ‘Registered companies operate to best practice and install approved systems to the manufacturers’ specification,’ says Nigel Donohue, CEO at the IAA. Get at least three estimates bearing in mind that the total cost will be affected by any pre-insulation maintenance and repair work needed.

Natural insulation products are available from suppliers such as Back to Earth (backtoearth.co.uk), Ecological Building Systems (ecologicalbuilding systems.com) and the Green Building Store (green buildingstore.co.uk). These companies are also valuable sources of information. ‘Eco building firms carry out detailed moisture risk modelling for insulation, especially on older and harder to treat homes,’ says Paul Testa.

ABOVE AND LEFT A rear extension was added to this end-of-terrace house in Brent, north London. For good thermal performance, the new cavity walls include Eco-Cavity Full Fill rigid insulation from McW,Therooftheinsulationcom)Kooltherm(ecotherm.co.uk).EcoThermKingspanK7(kingspan.pitchedroofboardwasusedoverraftersinthepyramidalaswellasinbetween.project,byStudiocost£180,000.(studiomcw.co.uk)

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Must I get permission? Changes to the outside of a home, such as external wall insulation, may require planning consent. Although upgrading single-glazed windows and glazed doors for double or triple-glazed like-for-like replacements is likely to fall under Permitted Development Rights (PDR) and won’t need permission. But there are exceptions for houses in a conservation areas and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB). Plus, consent is required for any changes to a listed building. When in doubt, contact the planning department of your local council in advance of any work. THIS PAGE Gundry + Ducker (gundryducker. com) renovated and extended this house in Hackney, east London. Kingspan Kooltherm K118 (kingspan.com), a type of costTheoriginalm2K,performancewallswalls.appliedplasterboard,insulation-backedwastotheinteriorTheupgradedhaveathermalof0.3W/comparedtothe2.0W/m2K.entireproject£350,000

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Part L of the Building Regulations details the energyefficiency standards that must be achieved in new-build and renovated homes, including extensions. Some work, such as external, internal and cavity wall insulation, needs Building Control approval. You can appoint someone registered with an appropriate competent person scheme to get the work signed off on your behalf, or else it will need to be done by a Local Authority Building Control (LABC) or private approved inspector. Some work, such as external, internal and cavity wall insulation, needs Building Control approval

RIGHT AND BELOW Excellent thermal performance was essential for this five-bedroom new-build in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The red aluminium exterior cladding is insulated with 400mm of Superglass mineral wool insulation in the roof and walls to reduce heat loss (superglass.co.uk). Inside, the suspended floors are insulated with 150mm of Xtratherm (xtratherm.com), a type of rigid board insulation, and the underfloor slab is insulated with Xtratherm 80mm. The detached house was designed by architecture practice Loader Monteith (loadermonteith.co.uk), with the floor insulation costing around £35 per sqm and roof insulation around £80 per sqm

Advice on building control

PROJECTS INSULATION

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The age of a property affects the complexity of any insulation improvements because, in general, older homes are harder to retrofit and this will drive up the cost of the project. ‘The issues might be to do with the technicalities of upgrading an old structure with new materials,’ says Paul Testa. ‘One instance is solid masonry walls, which are tricky to insulate effectively while avoiding the risk of damp.’ Installing internal wall insulation may present a challenge when it comes to preserving original features such as coving and skirting boards. There are heritage building consultants who have specialist knowledge of these types of homes. Try Back to Earth (backtoearth.co.uk).

ECOFRIENDLY WARMTH

ABOVE AND RIGHT The owners of this three-bedroom Victorian terrace in West Hampstead, north London, asked Brosh Architects (brosharchitects.com) to convert it from two flats into a single home. The floors didn’t have any insulation, so installing 100mm of EcoTherm (ecotherm.co.uk) rigid floor insulation in the kitchen, music room and living room boosted thermal performance to an average U-value of 0.19W/m2K. Insulated plasterboards measuring 50mm were fitted to the interior walls, and EcoTherm 100mm cavity wall insulation in the extension. The project cost £200,000

● Cork is sustainable, naturally water-resistant, recyclable and weathers to a silver-grey colour over time. It’s a versatile insulating option that can be used on exterior and interior walls, for flooring and to insulate a roof. ● Cork and hempcrete are both compostable.

Advice on sustainable material options from Nimi Attanayake, director of Nimtim Architects (nimtim.co.uk)

● Low-carbon materials such as hempcrete, which is a composite product of hemp with a natural lime binder, limits a building’s heat loss. Hempcrete can be used for both new-builds and retrofit projects to enhance insulation within a structure. Contact a specialist for advice on exactly what’s required to meet current U-values and Building Regulations.

Potential challenges

● Recyclable materials such as polycarbonate reduce waste from the construction industry. It can be used as a cladding system or a roofing material for an outbuilding such as a shed.

With over 50 years’ combined experience in renewable energy, heating, and insulation, All Seasons Energy are widely recognised as one of the UK’s most trusted energy efficiency installers. We offer honest and tailored advice on the best energy saving measures for your home or business. As accredited installers, our team have the knowledge and skills to guide you every step of the way. specialistsenergyAward-winningefficiency 01909 771 www.allseasonsenergy.co.uk838 1A Meadowbrook Park, Halfway, Sheffield, S20 3PJ Find us on: Email: info@allseasonsenergy.co.uk All Seasons Energy is a company registered in England & Wales no. 10737981. VAT number GB 259956930. All Seasons Interiors Limited T/A All Seasons Energy is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 946160. We act as a credit broker not a lender and offer finance from a panel of lenders. Accredited by leading organisationsregulatory Excellent reputation with 400+ authentic customer reviews A team of over 90 energy specialistssaving Award-winning energyefficiency company We’re specialists in all types of energy efficiency measures, including: Solar PV & battery storage Electric vehicle chargers Air source heat pumps Wall & roof insulation

ABOVE AND RIGHT Pad Studio (padstudio.co.uk) designed this three-bedroom new-build in the New Forest, Hampshire, to replace a thermally inefficient cottage. Cellulose insulation from Warmcel (warmcel.co.uk) is inside the roof, with mineral wall insulation between the timber frame and external finish, and Expanded Polystyrene Insulation (EPS) in the floors. These were used in conjunction with an insulating membrane and rigid insulation boards, all of which were provided by the timber frame supplier, MBC Timber Frame (mbctimberframe.co.uk).

The walls’ thermal performance is 0.11W/m2K, the roof 0.10W/m2K and the floors 0.10W/m2K – well within the range of Building Regulations requirements. A similar insulation scheme would cost around £35 per sqm

Your local authority’s website should be your first port of call when determining whether any grants are available to offset the cost of your upgrades. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme is the main financial initiative for supporting energy-efficiency improvements, though you may need to be claiming certain benefits or meet other criteria to qualify.

PROJECTS INSULATION MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 101

STEPHENSONJIMHAMMICK,OLLIEDAPPLE,ZANDRI,LORENZOTAYLOR,MEGAN

Help with the outlay

PHOTOGRAPHY

used by CROWN PAINTS LTD. under license from HACHETTE FILIPACCHI PRESSE SA, Paris, France. A premium, durable interior emulsion offering the perfect flat matt finish for walls and woodwork. Discover the range at elledecoration-crownpaints.com Simple&PureNo.451Tailored TM No.601 Available at & leading independents.

BUYER’S GUIDE How to get great colour and coverage for your

This product gives a textured, velvety look. Limewash in Moss Green, from £29.50 for 1 litre, Francesca’s Paints designpaint.com).(francescasKitchenbyRetrouvius(retrouvius.com)

PROJECTS home

FOCUS ON WORDS EMILY PECK Finding the perfect paint colour is a priority, but choosing a product that’s kind to the environment also makes good sense. Several brands now offer eco-friendly collections and have improved their green andlow-carbonthatoffercredentials.manufacturingThesecompaniesplastic-freeformulashavenon-polluting,productionrecyclingprocesses.

MAGAZINE.COM/ SEPTEMBER 2022 103

while safeguarding the environment Eco paints

104 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

This formula can be used on interior walls, ceilings, some primed wood and metal. GrafClean in Old Lilac, from £23.50 per litre, andfound.com)&Project(graphenstone.co.uk)GraphenstonestyledbyMerchantFound(merchant

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that release into the air from solvent-based paints and, in smaller amounts, from water-based formulas. No paint is entirely free from VOCs, but some brands strive to achieve the lowest possible levels. Look for the globe symbol VOC labelling system, which you’ll find printed on the tin. It shows the level of VOCs that are emitted in one of five categories – minimal, low, medium, high and very high. If you need to remove an old paint finish before applying a fresh coat, choose a minimal-VOC, water-based stripper such as Eco Solutions’ Home Strip Paint Remover (ecosolutions.co.uk). It requires more work than standard chemical strippers but is less polluting. contribution of paint to macro and microplastic leaking into the natural world is 7.4 metric tonnes per year

TAKE A DEEP BREATH

The

There are 96 shades to choose from in this collection. Clockwise from bottom left, Auro 55 premium wipeable emulsion in Mars, Light Flower, Havana Cigar and Khaki, from £50.50 for 2.5 litres, (auropaint.co.uk)Auro

PLASTIC-FREE?CHOOSE

WHY

The chemicals and plastics used to make some paint formulas are detrimental to our health and the world around us. A 2021 report by research consultancy Environmental Action (e-a.earth) called Plastic Paints the Environment indicates that the contribution of paint to both the macro and microplastic leaking into the environment is significant. The mean value is 7.4 metric tonnes per year (Mt/year). Of the six main areas of paint use analysed – architectural, automotive, general industry, industrial wood, marine, road markings – the architectural sector is the greatest contributor at 48 per cent. Of this, 26 per cent is household dust that includes interior paint lost due to wear and tear or being removed. Soil contamination comes from exterior paint that weathers or has been removed. ‘Try to avoid paint that includes plastic as a binder mixed with additives and fillers, which form a plastic-like film on a surface,’ says Simon Corbey, director of The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP). ‘They are not breathable and are particularly unsuitable for older buildings, which tend to have movement of moisture through the wall.’ The ASBP works with a group of plastic-free paint and surface finish manufacturers and has a useful list of these companies on its website (asbp.org.uk).

RANGE OF BENEFITS

The ingredients this company uses can be found on its website. Natural emulsion in French Blue, £51 for 2.5 litres, Edward Bulmer (edward bulmer paint.co.uk). Kitchen design by Laura (laurastephens.co.uk)Stephens

PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE MAGAZINE.COM/ SEPTEMBER 2022 105

Some paints are made with a high proportion, or entirely, of natural ingredients such as chalk, clay, plant oils and plant dyes used for colouring, and there are vegan ranges too. ‘The colours of paints such as limewash change with the daylight and respond to light, creating a unique depth,’ says Francesca Wezel, founder and director of Francesca’s Paints (francescaspaint.com). Manufacturers and retailers such as Auro (auropaint.co.uk), Earthborn (earthbornpaints.co.uk), Edward Bulmer Natural Paint (edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk) and Lakeland Paints (lakeland paints.co.uk) are transparent about the ingredients used – look for a listing on the company’s website. These formulas are also breathable, preventing moisture being trapped within the painted surface. ‘The choice of eco options is growing,’ says Phil Robinson, founder of Paint the Town Green (paintthetowngreen.co.uk). ‘For instance, manufacturer Graphenstone combines graphene, which is a form of carbon, with lime and other natural minerals in its paint. As the paint dries, the lime naturally absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from the surrounding air.’ To get an idea of how a selection of different brands measure up, Ethical Consumer has a list of 20 paint manufacturers scored and ranked based on their ethical and environmental record (ethicalconsumer.org).

● Water-based paints tend to be more eco-friendly than oil-based ones, not just because of their ingredients, but also because the brushes and rollers used to apply them don’t need to be cleaned with white spirit.

● You can now find paint in 1-litre pouches. This change from the standard 2.5-litre tins results in less waste and packaging. Check whether they can be recycled before buying.

106 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY

RIGHT Clay plaster helps regulate humidity levels. Smooth Finish in WHI-08, from £21 per sqm, Clayworks (clay-works.com). Project by Magri Williams (magriwilliams.co.uk)

ANDPACKAGINGMORE

WORLEYNICHOLASSTEPHENS,LAURASNOOK,CHRIS

PROJECTS BUYER’S GUIDE

A BACKSTRIPPED-OPTION

If you’re taking a room back to brick during a major renovation or when building your own home from scratch, you might consider using a clay plaster, made with 100 per cent natural materials, on the Thiswalls.type of plaster is coloured with natural pigments and comes in a wide range of shades so there is no need to paint the surface at all. When you’re ready to use it, the dry mix is blended with water and applied in the same way as conventional plaster.

● Look at how the ingredients of were sourced, the manufacturing process and the environmental credentials of the factory. Is it powered by renewable energy? Brands such as Coat (coatpaints. com) are carbon-positive and manufactured in the UK.

● Paint made to order leads to less waste, and there is less need for preservatives.

Take a approach,holistic advises Phil Robinson of Paint the Town Green (paintthetowngreen.co.uk) This product is free from acrylics and vinyl and has a matt finish. Claypaint in Lily Lily Rose, £50.50 for 2.5 litres. Earthborn (earthbornpaints.co.uk)

23-27 NOVEMBER 2022 OLYMPIA • LONDON TICKETSPECIALOFFER FROM £10* QUOTE IHSXGD10 EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN IDEAL CHRISTMAS! idealhomeshowchristmas.co.uk BOOK ONLINE Christmas DecorationsChristmas Gifts Interior Inspiration Christmas Pet Celebrity & Experts Live Performances Food & Drink T&Cs *Offer ends 27th November 2022. £10 weekday/£12 weekend tickets. Standard on the door price £20 weekday/£22 weekend. Concessions not included. On weekday kids aged 0-15 years old go free when accompanied by a paying adult (maximum 2 kids per adult). Kids 7-15 years old pay on weekends (standard rate £7.50) kids ticket price with this offer is £5 each. £1.70 transaction fee applies A Media 10 Event#IDEALXMAS Show Sponsors Media Partner

BATHROOMS&KITCHENS MAGAZINE.COM/ SEPTEMBER 2022 109 Traditional furniture teams with P117ofstone.com).FloorsTiles,(devolkitchens.co.uk).fromClassiclatestaccessoriesquirkyinthekitchentrend.Englishkitchen,£30,000,Devolfrom£80persqm,ofStone(floorsTurntoformore

Macchia Vecchia is a marble-effect ceramic surface with distinctive gold veining that can be bookmatched. It can be ordered in a choice of natural or polished finishes, and the material has a ten-year guarantee. Ceralsio Macchia Vecchia, from £400 per (crlstone.co.uk)sqm.

KITCHEN UPGRADE / SEPTEMBER 2022

MAGAZINE.COM

Many possibilities Created in collaboration with interior design studio Kitesgrove (kitesgrove.com), the new Irregular collection of tiles from Bert & May (bertandmay.com) offers two designs, Fragment and Quad. Handmade in Spain, the cement wall and floor tiles measure 200x200mm and come in soft, muted tones. Fragment in Brighton Stone and Sweet Yellow, £180 per sqm. On top form

If you want an extractor that looks like something else entirely, try Shelf by Falmec. In steel and aluminium with a black finish, the wall-mounted design features an integrated LED lighting strip, as well as powerful moisture and odour extraction. It measures W1,200xD380xH100mm, but you can add extension modules to increase the length of the extractor by 600mm or 900mm. Expect to pay from around £2,000 for the ducted or recirculating extractor, and from around £500 for a 600mm add-on module. (falmec.uk)

111

The Quartz Light by Rothschild & Bickers is a handblown cylindrical glass fitting that’s encrusted with recycled frit – a waste product from the glassblowing process. The design measures Dia150xH245mm and comes in five colours, including this Denim, as well as clear glass, along with a 2m-long flex and an LED E27 short tube bulb. Priced £550. (rothschildbickers.com)

Fresh thinking

Colour, texture and light

Manufacturer British Standard by Plain English is on the road in a van kitted out with a kitchen. Aiming to demonstrate the benefits of its ready-made cabinets, the company is travelling across the UK throughout 2022, and you can request a visit to your hometown via the website. Cabinets cost from £590, kitchens from (britishstandardcupboards.co.uk)£8,000.

For luxury on a bijou scale, Falper’s Small Living Kitchens range includes three different size islands in a choice of finishes – all marble, all steel, and stainless steel with wood or lacquered fronts. The islands can include a sink, a hob or both, with deep drawers beneath. Team with a choice of storage units and tall units in either a timber veneer or lacquered finish. Island Model 2 in stainless steel with gas hob and sink, from around £12,844, storage unit in canaletto walnut wood veneer, from around £7,834. (falper.it)

112 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM WORDS WOODSPAULA

Mini maximiser

The new Utility Furniture from Rotpunkt includes laundry cabinets and appliance housings made from 90 per cent recycled Greenline BioBoard wood and available in 26 colours. Cabinet options include tall units with integrated laundry baskets, racks and adjustable or fixed shelves, plus a builtunder drawer cabinet with extendable shelf. Tall and overhead units, base drawers, and washer and dryer custom housing in Dark Concreto, from £7,800. (rotpunktkuechen.de/en)

Top of the wash list

KITCHEN UPGRADE Mobile showroom

Talk it over

You can book a free 15-minute design advice session, covering a single room, with an expert from paint brand YesColours. Sessions are conducted by video- or phonecall, and there’s also the opportunity to upgrade to a 30-minute consultation to discuss up to three rooms for £55. The company’s water-based matt paint has no added VOCs and costs from £21 per litre. Book a slot on the website. (yescolours.com)

Wren helped one couple create a kitchen to enjoy with family and friends A TRADITIONNEW 114 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM Timeless style courtesy of Wren’s Infinity Plus Shaker range in Baltic Blue. From £315 per unit

‘The chapel was almost derelict when we found it, but we immediately saw its potential’

‘The chapel was almost derelict when we found it, but we immediately saw its potential,’ says Mandy. They installed a wall of bi-folding doors at the back of the building to bring light into the previously gloomy space, making it ready for a new kitchen. When it came to picking out a design, Mandy, a finance director in the construction industry, and Dave, who works in wealth management, knew they wanted something traditional to complement the architectural features.

The couple visited their local Wren showroom and, with the help of designer Alex, chose the Infinity Plus Shaker range in Baltic Blue. They also wanted the longest possible island without having a break in the quartz Arabescato worksurface. ‘I make my own pastry and the quartz is an ideal surface because it’s always cold,’ explains Mandy.

There are lots of cubbyholes in the island for keeping cookbooks close at hand. And on Alex’s advice the couple had it fitted with a ceramic Bora Belfast sink teamed with bronze Talos taps. ‘The island is an unusual place for a sink, but it works really well,’ says Mandy. ‘It forms a working triangle with the fridge and the cooker.’

Once the design was complete, Mandy and Dave looked at a 3D render of the kitchen, which enabled them to make minor adjustments. ‘Originally, the tall unit in the corner didn’t extend all the way to the ceiling,’ says Mandy. ‘But after seeing the render, we felt it would look neater with no gap at the top.’

The island features a ceramic Bora Belfast sink and bronze Talos taps BELOW LEFT Dave and Mandy Till in their new Wren kitchen

● Book your free design appointment today at wrenkitchens.com

ADVERTISING PROMOTION

The light, open space is both practical and stylish. ‘It’s exactly how I imagined it and it’s where I spend most of my time,’ says Mandy. ‘The kitchen is my office when I’m working from home. But my absolute favourite thing is to enjoy sharing it with friends and family. When we’re all gathered around the island, it’s just great.’

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 115

A Wren-approved installer carried out the work. ‘The kitchen fitter was amazing,’ says Mandy. ‘Everything went in like a dream and he managed to finish in five days.’

Mandy and Dave Till live in a 200-year-old converted chapel in the village of Kinoulton, Nottinghamshire. The couple have spent four years turning the building into their home.

Visit our showrooms in: London, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire and West Sussex.

PROJECTS KITCHENS MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 117 Ways to characteradd Design ideas for eclectic schemes that include soft furnishings, freestanding furniture and quirky accessories WORDS PAULA WOODS Make a seating plan Why not create a comfy place to sit and enjoy a cuppa? Plot a spot away from the busy cooking and food prep areas and avoiding walkways through the space. Suffolk kitchen in Charcoal with Charlecote island in Olive, from £14,000, Matilda armchair in leather, £1,570, Neptune (neptune.com)

Displaying artwork bespoke II kitchen,

marble ledge. Reconfiguration and interior design of 18th-century Grade

118 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM PROJECTS KITCHENS PHOTOGRAPHY BOLTONBILLY

listed Georgian apartment, including timber and brass

Protect paintings, photography and other artwork from heat and moisture in glass-fronted frames and on a heat- and water-resistant shelf such as this

£350,000, Red Deer (reddeer.co.uk)

A large ceramic Belfast-style sink is a practical choice for a utility area or boot room. Pair with a brick frame to replicate the look of a rustic period kitchen.

Bespoke kitchen, from £30,000, custom-made baker’s table, from £3,540, oak plate rack, £2,035, Huckleberry (huckleberryhome.co.uk)

Teaming furniture and accessories from different eras in the same scheme can work well. Stick with design classics in similar woods and colours. Windsor extending dining table, available in two sizes, from £2,380, dining chairs, £450 each, two-door high sideboard, £3,420, Ercol (ercol.com)

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 119

An interior designer or a kitchen designer working for a high-end brand can devise a carefully co-ordinated mixand-match scheme to your brief. They can also project manage the specification of custom-made furniture.

Utility chic

Bespoke project, £20,000, with kitchen sink tidy pot, £28, soap dispenser wall bracket in cast bronze, £135, and pan hooks in cast bronze, £13, Mark Lewis Interior Design (marklewisinteriordesign.com)

Blow the budget

Across the ages

120 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

A vintage-style glass-fronted dresser or cabinet offers somewhere to display collections of crockery, glassware and art. Plus, everything’s easy to find when you need it.

Finish with a flourish

Classic English kitchen, from £30,000, vintage cabinet from a selection, aged brass Boho handles, £45 each, Lace Market wall tiles, from £9 each, Devol (devolkitchens.co.uk). Parisian Chequer marble tiles, from £80 per sqm, Floors of Stone (floorsofstone.com)

From past to present

Easy to fit and less expensive than tiling, classic tongueand-groove panels can also disguise a slightly uneven wall. For DIY products, try Easipanel (easipanel.co.uk). Shaker kitchen and panelling in Hunter Green, from £10,000, Olive & Barr (oliveandbarr.com)

Clad the walls

Wallpaper makes a functional space look decorative. Choose a wipeclean, water-resistant design. Pomegranate wallpaper, £110 per roll, cabinets in Portland Stone and Citrine, island in Cordoba, all Intelligent Satinwood, £79.50 for 2.5 litres, ceiling in Portland Stone Pale absolute matt emulsion, £52 for 2.5 litres, Little Greene (littlegreene.com)

Homely kitchen with mirror-backed and illuminated glass-fronted dresser, from £20,000, Life Kitchens (life-kitchens.co.uk)

Gallery piece

Including vintage furniture creates a sense of timelessness. See P121 for expert advice on shopping for antiques.

● If you are new to antique buying, a good place to start is with accessories such as lighting, mirrors, china and kitchen items, rather than bigger pieces of furniture. I suggest taking a photograph of your room with you when you shop, as this can act as a reference when picturing pieces in your home.

Advice on buying older pieces from antiques dealer Holly Johnson of Holly Johnson Antiques (hollyjohnsonantiques.com)

● To qualify as antique, an item must be at least 100 years old. Things made between 20 and 100 years ago are considered vintage.

● Reclamation yards are also a good source for architectural antiques and vintage furniture. Look for dealers that are signed up to the Salvo code (salvoweb. com) as this offers buyers peace of mind as to the provenance of reclaimed items.

● When buying antiques, look for dealers that are members of a trade association such as The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers (lapada.org) or The British Antique Dealers’ Association (bada.org) as this guarantees they work to a strict code of practice. Dealers should be able to provide a full description of items, along with details of provenance and any known dates, so that you can be sure of exactly what you’re buying and whether it is authentic.

PROJECTS KITCHENS

Best of both worlds Choose fitted cabinets with legs or a recessed plinth to get a freestanding look and a wide selection of differently sized units to suit your space.

STOCK OF AGES

● When buying furniture for your kitchen, think about where it will go and take measurements of the area. This will help narrow your options to what will fit. Ideally choose robust materials such as solid oak and marble or place a glass top on veneered wood or painted finishes to avoid scratches and heat damage.

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Kitchen cabinets, from £590 for a 440mm single base unit, British Standard by Plain English (britishstandardcupboards.co.uk)

PROJECTS KITCHENS

Elsa table lamp In Olive, £116, with tall tapered shade, £46, Pick wall light, £105, Pooky (pooky.com)

Some extractor fans resemble light fittings rather than cooker hoods, which is ideal for creating a low-tech look. This design from Falmec (falmec.com) comes in several colours.

Vogue 88cm circular island extractor in pastel green and bronze, with glass dome light and optional remote control. Available late 2022, £POA, Falmec

Add a soft layer

Flatweave rugs are easy to clean, especially the machinewashable, stain-resistant ranges from the likes of Ruggable (ruggable.co.uk). Use a non-slip underlay to prevent falls.

122 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

More than functional

Pools of light Team adjustable wall lights for practical task lighting or highlight a particular feature with a table lamp that casts a softer glow.

Flatweave Kasbah Nimbus machine-washable, stain-, waterand mould-resistant handwoven rug made from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles, £138, Weaver Green (weavergreen.com)

Traditional

PROJECTS CASE STUDY MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 123 PROJECT PROFILE LOCATION Ealing, west London STYLE OF PROPERTY Edwardian semi-detached house DURATION OF BUILD 4 months SIZE 48sqm COST £250,000 (entire project)

Neptune’scabinetsChichesterpaintedinShellandInk.Kitchen,from£14,000,Neptune(neptune.com)

WORDS PAULA WOODS

The island includes a sink, breakfast bar, wine cooler and storage.

When Nigel Hunt and David Reay bought their four-bedroom home in 2017, they were keen to improve the kitchen. ‘The house had great proportions and period details, but the long, narrow room wasn’t the welcoming space we wanted,’ explains Nigel. The couple commissioned Felix Padfield of architectural design company Felixdb (felixdb.co.uk) to find a solution. He proposed building a rear extension with 3m-high ceilings to match those in the adjoining rooms, a pyramidal skylight and French This scheme teams glamorous fittings with cabinets in a classic style that pay homage to the house’s heritage splendour

ABOVE Either side of the cooker, the shelves were made using charred timber backed with antiqued mirror glass. Barcelona 6mm antique mirror glass, £200 per sqm, Made2 Measure measure.co.uk)(made2 shelvingmodularsystemwascombinedwithwallunitssetatfloorlevel.Pembrokeshelving,from£1,039.60,Neptune.ArmchairinPomegranate,£147perm,Zoffany(zoffany.sandersondesigngroup.com).WillowBoughswallpaper,£99perroll,Morris&Co(morrisandco.sandersondesigngroup.com)

RIGHT A

PROJECTS CASE STUDY 124 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM doors opening out to the garden. The project was one part of the renovation work undertaken throughout the house and required planning permission, which was granted without objection.

The couple chose solid timber and hardwood ply in-frame cabinets that are classic in style and painted in a deep shade of blue. A big island, complete with breakfast bar, is at the centre of the kitchen, beyond which is a dining area in front of the French doors.

One of Nigel’s favourite aspects of the scheme is the display cabinets showing off his glassware. ‘There are two bespoke painted timber pillars on either side of the cupboards,’ he says. ‘One of them cleverly conceals a structural support.’

Details such as the marble worksurfaces and the shelving’s antiqued glass backdrop lend a sense of glamour to the space. ‘The stone floor, timber shelves and botanical wallpaper link to the garden, but we were also aiming for a day-to-night look,’ says Nigel.

Nigel and David, 40, who is senior vice president for people at a publishing company, chose Neptune (neptune.com) to supply their custom-made kitchen. ‘I had some strong ideas for the scheme, but it was great to discuss them with the company’s designers to see how they could be translated into reality,’ says Nigel.

Vintage rugs, upholstered chairs and artwork complete this elegant scheme. ‘It’s a room we enjoy spending a lot of time in, whether preparing food, having friends over or simply relaxing in a comfy armchair,’ says Nigel.

Nigel, 45, runs a design and project development company, Huntreay, so he masterminded the design of the kitchen. ‘We wanted a lived-in look in keeping with the age of our home,’ he explains. Finding the best place to display his collection of antique wine, water and cocktail glasses was also a priority.

The architect proposed building a rear extension with 3m-high ceilings to match those in the adjoining rooms

LET’S SAVE TOGETHER WTER 1Using a showerheadlow-flow can reduce water usage while showering by up to 50 per cent 2Fixing a dripping tap could save enough water to fill a paddling pool every week of the summer. 3machinesWashing can use 50 litres of water per cycle, so wait until you have a full load before using. The average roof collects enough rain to fill 450 water butts per year. Use it to water your garden or wash your car. 570 million litres of boiled water are thrown away every day in the UK, so don’t refill the kettle every time. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth saves around 6 litres of water per minute. #savewater Use our calculator to find out your water footprint granddesignsmagazine.com/save-water For more information, visit quooker.co.uk/save-water

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 creating your own individual style tile visualiser PHONE ï CLICK ï VISUALISE See tiles in your home

The Linear towel rail by Matki is a single solid brass rail that comes in silver, black, white or this brushed brass. Measuring 700mm in length, it costs from £240 for the wall-mounted version. (matki.co.uk)

Bathed in light

On the right lines

Reuse hero

Designed by Philippe Starck for Duravit, Soleil is a new collection featuring gentle contours and elegant lines. It includes builtin and freestanding baths, plus several washbasins and wall-mounted loos. Soleil freestanding DuraSolid bath, L1,600x D800xH600mm, £3,126. (duravit.co.uk)

BATHROOM EDIT MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 127

Little star Ideal for a cloakroom or a small bathroom, the Etoile Cloak round basin can be either wallmounted or teamed with a stand. Made from brass, the stand comes in a choice of chrome, antique gold or polished nickel, and includes a glass shelf and towel rails. It (imperialbathroom.com)H180mmmeasuresandW642xD400xH870mm,measurescosts£995.ThebasinW530xD400xandcosts£315.

Made from 100 per cent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging waste, Spectra by Smile Plastics is a semi-translucent surface that can be turned into cladding, countertops, even furniture. It’s available in standard and bespoke sizes, plus thicknesses of 5mm, 12mm and 20mm. Prices start from £40 for a L500xW500xD5mm precut panel or £240 for a L2,000xW1,000x D5mm sheet. (smile-plastics.com)

Inspired by a 1920s school light, this IP44-rated ceiling pendant from Där Lighting is suitable for zones 1 and 2. In a brushed brass or polished chrome finish with an opal glass shade, it measures Dia270xH310mm and takes an E27 LED bulb. Caden semi-flush pendant, £102. (darlighting.co.uk)

Conceal not reveal

BATHROOM EDIT

A fluted glass screen is a good way to gain a degree of privacy in a walk-in shower or wet room. The Innov8 black-framed wet room panel from Roman Showers has 8mm-thick fluted glass with a matt black frame that can be braced from the wall or ceiling. It measures 2,032mm in height and comes in a choice of 800mm, 900mm, 1,000mm or 1,200mm widths. From £684 for an 800mm-wide panel. (roman-showers.com)

Top of the class

A refined design

Holding pattern British manufacturer Rothley (rothley.com) makes grab rails in a range of finishes such as antique copper, matt black, matt white, polished copper, pewter and this antique brass. Made from mild or stainless steel, they have a load capacity of 118-250kg. A Dia25xH305mm Baroque grab rail costs from £16.20 from Ironmongery Direct. (ironmongerydirect.co.uk)

128 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM WORDS WOODSPAULA

Created in collaboration with German designer Konstantin Grcic, Pure is the latest brassware collection from Laufen. Designed to complement the Val sanitaryware range, the minimalist wall- and deck-mounted lever taps are finished in matt black or chrome and can be teamed with matching thermostatic or non-thermostatic shower fittings. Pure two-hole basin mixer, £506.94. (laufen.com)

THIS

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. 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.

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PROJECTS BATHROOMS Practical pointers and style tips for a well-lit bathroom Bathed in light WORDS PAULA WOODS Focus on the details Have a detailed lighting plan drawn up as part of the blueprint for your new scheme. An electrician will use it to plot the routes for cabling and ensure there’s an adequate power supply for every fitting. Victoria + Albert Eldon freestanding bath, L1,749xW890xD600mm, £2,567.10, Sanctuary Bathrooms (sanctuary-bathrooms.co.uk). For lighting, try the Tagra Syndeo IP65 LED strip, from £22.99 per 5m, Lighting Direct (lighting-direct.co.uk) MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 131

PROJECTS BATHROOMS 132 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM Include these elements Combine fittings that serve specific roles, such as overhead spotlights to illuminate the entire space, wall lamps to brighten areas for applying make-up or shaving, and strip lights to draw attention to architectural features or furniture. Bespoke en suite with concealed under-counter LED strips, wall lights and spotlights, £POA, designed by Catherine Wilman Interiors (catherinewilman.com)

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 133

Brightness used to be indicated by wattage (W) alone, but an LED’s output is indicated by lumens (lm), with 800lm equivalent to 60W. Suitable for a G9 20W bulb or 250lm, 2.5W LED, the Mini Globe IP44 dimmable wall light in polished chrome and opal glass, £345, Original BTC (originalbtc.com)

Talking tech

Step this way

CRAIGPAUL

Glow or dazzle?

Fittings that can be dimmed or are motion-activated are useful wayfinders for nighttime bathroom visits. Confident DIY-ers can retrofit light-emitting diode (LED) strips or spots under wall-mounted units, or invest in furniture with built-in options. Luna vanity unit, W1,200xD440xH480mm, from £1,093, with optional IP44 underlight, £223, Primo three-door mirror cabinet, W1,200xD150xH800mm, £1, 626, Jupiter IP44 mirror cabinet light, £82, LED pendant, £91, Dansini (dansani.co.uk)

For app- or voice-controlled illumination and sound, invest in a discreet ceiling-mounted fitting that includes integrated speakers. Lumisonic IP65 app- or voice-operated LED downlight with integrated speaker, £375, Zuma (zuma.ai). Project by DK Interiors (dkinteriors.uk.com)

PHOTOGRAPHY

Optimum conditions

There are showerheads available that include integrated LEDs. This particular model can adjusted from warm white to daylight white, and dimmed as needed.

When choosing an illuminated mirror, look for a design with an adjustable colour temperature of up to 6,000K. This is akin to daylight and ideal for applying make-up or shaving.

Showerlight with integrated showerhead, dimmable with a brightness level range of 2,700-6,500K, £1,999, Keuco (keuco.com)

IP65 Feature Light in chrome with 5mm toughened glass, £100, Radford rolltop bath, L1,902xW910xD650mm, £3,307, West One Bathrooms (westonebathrooms.com)

For special effect

Artist backlit IP44 sensor-operated mirror, W1,000xH600xD30mm, with demister pad and adjustable perimeter lighting from 3,000-6,000k, £435, single drawer unit with oak countertop, W1,000xD500xH500mm, £1,930, Crosswater (crosswater.co.uk)

134 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

Set waterproof LED spotlights into the floor to cast light up the wall. It’s an effective way to enhance the texture of exposed brick or wood panelling.

Double the value

Take care with chandeliers and pendants that aren’t designed specifically for the bathroom. They must be at least 2.25m above floor level and not within splashing distance of a water source. For more safety details see P137.

Napoli bath, L1,900xW845xD502mm, £3,378.48, Victoria + Albert Baths (vandabaths.com).

A precautionary tale

PROJECTS

Project by House of Honey (houseofhoney.com)

Vintage Sputnik light, from around £2,500, Ist Dibs (1stdibs.com/en-gb).

BATHROOMS MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 135

The sum of each part

The big reveal

As LEDs are low voltage they are a safe way to brighten cabinet interiors and drawers. Try Ikea (ikea.com) and Sensio (sensio. co.uk) for retrofit options that are motion sensor-activated. Stötta battery-operated 32cm LED cabinet lighting strip with sensor, suitable for bathroom use, £10, Ikea (ikea.com)

136 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

So energy efficient A-rated LEDs use up to 90 per cent less electricity than equivalent size incandescent bulbs and should last five to ten years, depending on usage. Cabaret 4 II dimmable IP44 horizontal or vertical task light in matt black, £155, Astro Lighting (astrolighting.com). Requires four 3W max G9 LED bulbs

If your room is to include three different types of lighting – general, task and accent – each one can have its own electrical circuit so you can switch them on individually or together. There’s no limit to how many circuits you can have. Bespoke scheme with Contour HD27 IP44 linear LED lighting, £54 per m, and Polespring 50 IP20 low-glare, directional downlights, from £111, John Cullen Lighting (johncullenlighting.com)

IN RIGHTTHEZONE Safety tips from Luke Thomas, design director at John Cullen Lighting (johncullenlighting.com)

Emphasise the shape and architectural features of your room by running LED strips along a recess built into the ceiling or a shadow gap between the floor and walls

MAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER 2022 137

PROJECTS BATHROOMS

Luv illuminated IP44 mirror, from £302 for 500x800mm version, bathtub, £3,278, washbowl, £682, vanity unit, £2,985, console, £1,167, C1 mixer tap, £282, Duravit (duravit.co.uk). Flexible IP65 LED strip, from £31.15 per m, Sensio (sensio.co.uk)

● Check with your lighting specialist or a registered electrician as to the suitability of fittings. For directories of registered electrical contractors in your area, visit the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (niceic. com) or the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (napit.org.uk).

● Zone 2 encompasses an area stretching up to 60cm outside the bath or shower, and within a 60cm radius of any basin tap. Lights in this space need to be at least IP45 or IPX4. Lights outside these three zones should not require any specific IP rating.

● Zone 1 includes the area directly above a bath or shower, to a height of 2.25m from the floor. A minimum rating of IP45 or IPX4 is required here as this means the lights are splashproof. But it is generally accepted that more watertight IP65 or IPX5 fittings are a better option and vital if exposed to water jets.

● To adhere to the current regulations, the correct IP-rated fitting must be used in its designated zone.

Follow the form

● Every light fitting comes with an ingress protection or IP rating which determines how close to a water source it can be installed. The higher the rating, the more watertight the fitting will be.

● Zone 0 covers the area inside the bath and shower tray. Lights here must have a rating of IP67, which may also be listed as IPX7. This means they are safe for immersion in up to 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. For total submersion you’ll need a hermetically sealed IP68 or IPX8 fitting.

From sunny to frosty A lightbulb’s kelvin (K) rating indicates its colour temperature on a scale of 2,000K to 10,000K. The colour goes from warm white to bluer tones as the rating increases. Medium Box dimmable IP44-rated wall Light, in weathered brass and clear glass, W210xH360xD140mm, £719, Squirrel Cage LED 2,200K bulb, £19.98, Davey Lighting (originalbtc.com)

PROJECTS BATHROOMS 138 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

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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

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MAGAZINE.COM/ AUGUST 2022 145 RESOURCES 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 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 Arridge Garage Doors Since 1989 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 VAT RECLAIMS FOR NEW BUILDS & CONVERSIONS J M Daniel Business Services Ltd uk FinalyouyourhelpandIofferaprofessional,friendlyhelpfulservicewithaverycompetitivefeestructure.IcanyoumaximisetheVATrefundreceiveduponcompletionofclaimandwithanyquerieshavethroughoutthebuild.feepayableAFTERclaimsuccessfullyrefundedfromHMRC.

First we designed a separate bathhouse and a standalone studio for guests. Along with the house, they have flat green roofs for water harvesting. Javier wanted his home to act as a laboratory for experimenting with water use, so we also dug a private reservoir and added solar panels to make it completely off-grid. And the water system?

MY GRAND IDEA

FAR LEFT £1,100andcompletedhousepavilion-styleThewasin2020costaroundpersqm

The project is a model for regenerative design and could be replicated to avoid relying on water pumped from far away. It could even be used in a city by dedicating neighbourhood areas to collecting, treating and storing rainwater for local use. As temperatures rise and populations increase, treating water as a precious resource is more important than ever.

How did the project begin?

PROFILE WORDS WESTGATEALICE PHOTOGRAPHY BÉJARCÉSARNAVARRO,JAIME 146 SEPTEMBER 2022 / MAGAZINE.COM

American architect Robert Hutchison on helping to design a friend’s water self-sufficient home in Mexico

Robert Hutchison Architecture, JSA,robhutcharch.comjsa.com.mx

Javier, who is one of Mexico’s best-known architects, is a friend of mine and he asked me to collaborate on the design. Though we have different areas of expertise we share similar interests and influences and have enjoyed teaching and working together in the past. My firm contributed our knowledge of building with wood, which is rarely used for construction in Mexico. Tell us about the site Summers are very wet and winters are extremely dry so the reserve’s 80 private plots are being developed along pioneering drought-resilient lines. Water gathers in reservoirs connected via a network of hedges and ditches that channel the surface run-off as it travels down the slope. Each house must contribute by collecting and storing the rainwater that falls on its roof and can take any extra from the communal reservoirs. The whole system holds almost 30 million gallons to sustain the residents through the dry months. How did it progress?

ABOVE The house has 100sqm of rooms at its centre. The other 200sqm is covered outdoor space that can be used all year round LEFT A bathhousecircularhasahotbath,sauna,steamshowerandwashroom.Waterfromtheroofcollectsinthiscoldplungepool

Javier Sanchez, his wife Lorenia and their two daughters wanted to build a house on La Reserva el Peñón, a 450-acre nature reserve 100 miles west of Mexico City.

An underground UV treatment plant makes the rainwater drinkable. Another chemicalfree system turns sewage into grey water to flush the toilets and to supply the vegetable garden and the orchard. What have you learned?

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FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF BRIGHT AND AND BEAUTIFULBEAUTIFUL Self-build, renovation and extension project solutions Advice regulationsandplanningonbuilding IMPROVEYOURHOME GUIDE TO WINDOWS AND DOORS SPONSORED BY HOMESINSPIRINGWITHGLORIOUSGLAZING

Ensure your extended home is bright by including a contemporary skylight from The Rooflight Company

The Rooflight Company’s aluminium neo Advance skylight is highly energy efficient and suitable for installation on a flat-roof skylight. From the inside, this contemporary design provides an uninterrupted view of the outside as it has no visible frames or mechanisms. From the outside, it sits flush with the rooftile for an elegant finish.

2 | SEPTEMBER 2022 IMPROVE YOUR HOME ADVERTISING PROMOTION The neo Advance is ideal for coastal properties The energy-efficient neo Advance is a modern, flat rooflight

The precision-engineered neo Advance is manufactured with The Rooflight Company’s patented thermal shield technology, which stops heat passing through the aluminium frame, and eliminates condensation and mould. Its superior thermal efficiency achieves a whole unit U-value of 1.56 W/m²K. Plus, the neo Advance comes in seven standard sizes or can be made to measure. For more information therooflightcompany.co.ukvisit

Building an extension is often a fundamental part of whole-house renovations and updates, and it’s essential that such a project is planned properly if it is to be worthwhile in terms of both effort and investment. Ensuring a new extension benefits from good levels of natural light is crucial to its success. It’s impossible to overestimate the many benefits of natural light – a resource that cannot be replicated with artificial lighting – and it’s easy to get it wrong when planning an extension. For example, when extending at the rear or side of a house, windows or glazed doors that are the same size as the originals won’t provide enough natural light to brighten the bigger Ideally,space.thesquare meterage of openings for glazing should equal 25 per cent of the total floor area, and rooflights are a great way of meeting this requirement.

A BRILLIANT ADDITION

contents 05 Planning permission When you’ll need consent to install new glazing 09 To create a dramatic effect Making black, steel-framed glazing a standout feature 16 Get the low down From dilapidated bungalow to stunning home 21 Building regulations How to ensure your project meets the rules 24 Above and beyond A renovation that floods a 1930s terrace with light 30 A secluded haven The family home built on the site of an old garage IMPROVE YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2022 | 3 21 24 EDITORIAL SUPPLEMENT EDITOR JO MESSENGER ART DIRECTOR TONY PETERS CHIEF SUB EDITOR AILSA MCWHINNIE ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERS RICHARD WOODALL & LORRAINE DAVIES FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES EMAIL GRANDDESIGNSMAGAZINE.COMRICHARD.WOODALL@ LORRAINE.DAVIES@M10GROUP.COMOR MARKETING PORTFOLIO MARKETING MANAGER ANTHENA KYRIACOU MARKETING MANAGER MIA CONRAD PRODUCTION PRODUCTION CONSULTANT TIM GARWOOD PRODUCTION EXECUTIVES HOLLY OXLEY, CHARLIE DUTSON, GEORGIA LENCH, ANGELIQUE TAYLOR- SHERIDAN PUBLISHING PUBLISHING & EVENTS DIRECTOR GILES PERRY MANAGING DIRECTOR RICHARD MOREY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LEE NEWTON FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF Media 10, Crown House, 151 High Road, Loughton IG10 4LF T 020 3225 5200

● Top class: Thermo65 steel / aluminium entrance door ● Exclusive class: ThermoSafe aluminium entrance door ● Automatic garage doors with BiSecur radio system Make your home a Hörmann home 01530 doorsales.lei@hormann.co.uk516868

‘Some estates have caveats that front doors should all remain the same,’ says Elizabeth Assaf, co-founder of Urban Front (urbanfront.com). Generally, however, you should be able to change your front door to whatever you want.

In these cases, take advice on making a planning application from an architect or window installation company. ‘As a general rule of thumb, conservation areas’ constraints require the doors and windows to be in keeping with those on other buildings in the local area,’ explains Matt. ‘Restrictions on listed buildings depend on the grade, and generally they must include like-for-like replacements.’

There are certain circumstances in which you must seek planning permission to replace your windows. These include if you live in in a flat, if your local authority has an Article 4 Direction on your home – as this removes PDR – or if your home is listed.

As a rule, you will not require planning permission when replacing windows or doors. ‘Replacement glazing is often like-for-like upgrades with no structural or major alterations to the look of a home,’ says Matt Higgs, MD of Klöeber (kloeber.co.uk). ‘Changes to glazing at the back of a property should come under permitted development rights (PDR), which don’t require permission.’ But if you want to add a new window or glazed door where there wasn’t one before, on any side of the house, or move the front entrance, you are likely to require consent.

Special cases

PLANNING PERMISSION IMPROVE YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2022 | 5

Bay watch

The Planning Portal (planningportal. co.uk) states that bay windows are treated as an extension and may require approval. If you’re replacing one at the front of your home or adding a new bay at the side or back, you usually don’t need permission. But if you want to fit new bay windows at the front of the house, you do need to seek consent.

Words JO MESSENGER

When installing new glazing in your renovation, there are some instances when you’ll need to obtain consent

Do I need local authority approval? Crittall Corporate W20 doorswindowsarchedandinstalledbyThreeSpiresGlass PHOTOGRAPHY GLASSSPIRESSQUIB/THREE

A front door doesn’t need planning permission if it falls within your permitted development rights, but in some cases – such as if you are replacing or moving a door in a listed building or conservation area – you may need to apply for planning permission.

High-level negotiations

Planning regulations demand that new windows destined for an upper-floor side elevation must be obscure-glazed and either non-opening or no more than 1.7m above the floor level. Fitting skylights in the roof won’t require you to seek planning permission as this work comes under PDR – though there are limits and conditions. For instance, for it to fall under PDR, a skylight must not protrude more than 150mm beyond the plane of the roof, so roof lanterns and other 3D designs will probably need planning permission.

The Planning Portal is a reliable source of more information, and always check with your local authority before carrying out any work. On the frontline

The combination of working, schooling and living at home has shown that the open-plan spaces popularised in the 1970s no longer work for modern families. Instead, many are choosing to zone the footprint of their homes and make the space work better for them by compartmentalising living and working. The obvious way to do this is to create separate rooms, but this can severely limit natural light – one of the benefits of open-plan living. A great way to get around this is by using glass screens and glazed doors instead, which can create an organised yet bright layout.

Design ideas

Advice from Ben Brocklesby, director at Origin, on how to create light and airy spaces

THE LATEST GLAZING TREND

6 | SEPTEMBER 2022

One simple option is to fit an internal glass door as a replacement for a solid panel version. A more visually dramatic solution for large living areas is to separate two spaces with statement glazed doors, while a French configuration adds further grandeur. Alternatively, a big glass screen creates separation while maintaining light levels.

Types of glass

Installers can offer a wide variety of glass. Frosted or reeded glass is perfect for IMPROVE YOUR HOME

The OI-30 can be configured as a single or French door. Fixed screens can also be added to the top or sides, or can be coupled with a corner post, to create a whole new room and space. Plus, kickplates or solid base panels can be included for ease of opening and to minimise marks or scratches.

IMPROVE YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2022 | 7 ADVERTISING PROMOTION

ABOVE LEFT The Origin

LEFT Origin OI-30 single door with frosted glass

Consider the framing Steel doors are stylish, but they come with a hefty price tag. With doors often the last consideration of a project, the cost of steel can put it out of reach. Fortunately, the same look can be created at a lower cost by using aluminium designs. With the interest in internal glazing continuing to grow, Origin has launched the OI-30 internal door and screen system, its first product for interiors. This addition to the range ensures Origin is a one-stop-shop for doors and windows, both internal or external.

Find out more about Origin by visiting origin-global.com

OI-30 internal door, made from premiumgrade aluminium, starts from £1,400 plus VAT, including frames, glass and installation

Clear glass is always an option when you want unfiltered light. There’s always a perfect solution.

bedrooms and bathrooms to provide privacy, and is often used in utility spaces to obscure clutter.

Origin OI-30 French door with single fixed screen

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Good Homes offers its readers the ultimate toolkit of decorating ideas and shopping inspiration to update their homes. From the latest on-trend styles, colours, patterns and wallpaper to the best highstreet and online buys, gorgeous reader homes and clever makeovers, each issue comprises the ideal mix of practical tips, expert advice and real-life inspiration.

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EXTENSION PROJECT IMPROVE YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2022 | 9 Black, steel-framed glazing is a standout feature of this extended home To create a dramatic effect Words JO MESSENGER Photographs RICK McCULLAGH PROJECT PROFILE LOCATION Hornsey, north London STYLE OF PROPERTY Four-bedroom Victorian terrace PROJECT STARTED July 2018 PROJECT FINISHED July 2019 BUILD COST £182,000 (a similar project in 2022 would cost around £240,000) The sleek,graphic lines of these traditional window frames are enhanced by the angular design of the groundfloor extension and the simple decor inside

The project includes from Windows

10 | SEPTEMBER 2022 IMPROVE YOUR HOME

glazing

Crittall

thinner1900s.companyjoint,.traditionalsteelhaveW20windows.co.uk)(crittall-withprofiles,whichfullyweldedslimframeswiththeFenestrapatentedbytheintheearlytoallowforglazingbars

Kerem and Claudia Aksoy, founders of local architectural design firm A2studio (a2studio.co.uk), were hired to undertake the project, and Elaine and John moved in to a rented house while a small single-storey extension was built at the rear of their home and other internal alterations made. As the new structure extended out by threemetres, the work met the criteria for permitted development rights (PDR), and party-wall agreements ensured the couple met their obligations to their neighbours on both sides. ‘This slowed us down a bit, and in hindsight, we should have had it all completely signed off before we moved out and were ready to start the build,’ says Elaine. ‘We also added soundproofing on both sides of the walls at our neighbours’ request.’

After living in their rented home in north London for a few years, Elaine Frost and John Kelley found out their landlord was planning to sell the property, and the couple jumped at the chance to buy it. ‘We liked the local area and the house’s cosy feel,’ says Elaine, 52, who is a clothing designer. ‘It was the first house we looked at and despite viewing others, we came back to this one.’ After buying the property, the couple were keen to make a number of improvements. The small living room at the back was long, dark, and impractical for hosting friends and family, while the rundown kitchen in the centre of the house needed replacing. ‘The rooms felt jumbled and as we’re both very sociable, we wanted to have a better layout with more space. John and I agreed that our best option would be to work with an architectural designer to make our home as good as it could be,’ Elaine says.

The striking extension looks like the prow of a ship. ‘It was designed to respond to the skewed

shape of the garden, as well as to planning constraints,’ says Claudia. ‘Unusually, the kitchen was at the centre of the house, but it wasn’t connected to the living room at the back. Elaine and John decided against opening up the entire ground floor. They like having the kitchen and dining area separate from the living room and didn’t want to lose wall space by having the kitchen as a walk-through area.’ Bringing in more light was a priority, and the couple opted for a skylight in the extension, which they covered in frosted film for privacy from the overlooking neighbours. They chose Crittall Windows for all the new glazing. ‘We looked at less pricey options, but they lacked the authenticity and fine details. They’re also guaranteed for 80 years, so will outlive us!’ Elaine says. It was textile agent John, 62, who came up with the idea for the glazing in

ABOVE The original Victorian floor tiles are still intact in the hallway where, at the far end, steps lead down to the extended living room LEFT According to Kerem Aksoy, this internal glazed door is one of the entireTheCrittallmanufacturedtallestbyWindows.glazingfortherenovationcost£63,000

EXTENSION PROJECT IMPROVE YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2022 | 11

EXTENSION PROJECT ABOVE When entering the house, internal glazing allows views and light into the dining room while making the hallway feel more spacious

12 | SEPTEMBER 2022 IMPROVE YOUR HOME the hallway. ‘I wasn’t sure at first, but now I love it and it fills the dining area with extra light, and makes it feel bigger,’ he says.

The project’s success is down to an effective collaboration between the couple and their designers. ‘Kerem and Claudia listened to our wishes and made suggestions of their own, as well as offering practical solutions,’ Elaine explains. ‘They were also incredible at project managing – the whole thing was like a puzzle with many pieces, and they kept us up to date and everything in order.’

There were a few bumps along the road, mainly with the builders not understanding some of the specifications. They also dug the foundations too deep, but this was resolved by adding an extra step down from the hallway. ‘We really love how it has turned out and there’s nothing we would change. We’ve kept the decor simple and we now have all the space and the light we could wish for.’

For beautifully handcrafted contemporary handles visit pushpull.co.uk SecuredDesignby steel reinforced hardwoodnaturaldoors entrance doors internal feature doors garage doors oversized doors passive house certified doors made and designed in UK +44 (0)1494 info@urbanfront.co.uk778787www.urbanfront.com

The renovation has improved John’s quality of life and he is reassured that it will be suitable for his needs for a long time to come. ‘I practically live in the kitchen,’ he says. ‘In the mornings, even in winter, it’s bathed in light and is so warm. It instantly lifts my mood.’ The snug is another favourite spot, with its comfy window seat and the innovative strip of glazing that extends up the west-facing wall and over the roof. ‘This was the architect’s inspired idea,’ John explains.

A key part of the success of this renovationforward-thinkingwastheSchücoglazing

FUTURE-PROOF HOME

‘It brings in light and enables me to look straight up and see the stars at night.’

LEFT Bi-folding doors fitted flush to the floor seamlessly connect the inside with the outside, while a glazed box on the rear of the building frames views to the garden BELOW Schüco glazing has transformed the previously unwelcoming kitchen into a light-filled modern space BELOW LEFT A glazed link connects the original house and modern extension

PHOTOGRAPHY BLOSSOMBEN

SEPTEMBER 2022 IMPROVE YOUR HOME | 15 ADVERTISING PROMOTION

When John Gahan renovated his semi-detached Victorian home in Herne Hill, south-east London, he took the opportunity to transform the unwelcoming kitchen. At the back of the house, the north-facing room was so dark that John, who is retired, had to turn the lights on even in the height of summer. His aim in remodelling and extending the ground floor was to create a more practical space that could be adapted for living on one level should he need to in the future. Increasing the levels of natural light was also a key part of his brief to architect John Proctor of Proctor & Shaw. The house was extended into the side return to create an open-plan kitchen with dining area. It has a glazed roof and bi-folding doors with a glazed panel above them. A timber-lined snug includes a box window framing views into the garden, while a glass link connects the house to the extension. ‘We wanted very tall, thin doors without complicated glazing with fanlights above, and the Schuco system provided the height of glazing needed,’ says John Proctor. ‘With any other system the design would have had to be modified.’

For more information and to find your local Schüco partner, visit schueco.uk/ view, or call 01908 282111

Bi-folding doors open onto a corner patio that catches the sun for most of the day during summer. The doors are fitted flush to the floor, creating a level transition from inside to out. Having the same floor tiles on the patio and the kitchen further enhances this seamless effect.

16 | SEPTEMBER 2022 IMPROVE YOUR HOME After viewing a 1970s-built bungalow in the summer of 2017, Matthew and Natasha James, were originally put off by the rundown property, but the location prompted a second look. ‘We wanted to move from our apartment, but couldn’t help feeling there was a slight stigma attached to living in a bungalow,’ says Matthew. ‘But despite the small rooms and low ceilings, it was in a great area, on a good size plot and had a secluded garden, which was ideal for our eight-year-old daughter Catherine to play in. Natasha and I had some ideas on how we could improve the interior, though we struggled to see how they could be implemented.’ Matthew, 43, who is the managing director of a distribution company, had several discussions with an architect friend, who convinced the couple that the bungalow did have potential. The previous owner had bought it from new and appeared to have done very little to it over the years. In fact, by the time Matthew and Natasha, 43, who is a pharmacist, viewed the house, it was uninhabited, had fallen into a state of disrepair, and had been on the market for some time. It was this friend who introduced the couple to architect Anna Parker from Birmingham-based practice Intervention Architecture. They had intended to start the renovations straightaway after buying the bungalow, but a number of people encouraged them to get a feel of the space for a few months before committing to any work.

The couple’s brief to Anna focused on how they live as a family and their appreciation of an apartment-style layout. ‘An open-plan space was central to our vision, as was removing the ceilings to extend the height up to the roof,’ explains Matthew. ‘At the outset we wanted to stick with our own ideas, but on meeting Anna it quickly became apparent that she had a great talent for translating our thoughts into designs.’

The couple’s initial plan included adding a second floor at each end of the building, with zinc-clad extensions to create a large main bedroom with en suite at one end and guest

One couple took a chance on a dilapidated bungalow, with stunning results Get the lowdown Words JO MESSENGER Photographs HANDOVER AGENCY PROJECT PROFILE LOCATION Edgbaston, Birmingham STYLE OF PROPERTY 1970s threebedroom bungalow PROJECT STARTED October 2019 PROJECT FINISHED May 2020 PROPERTY COST £475,000 BUILD COST £201,000

ABOVE Honey-toned wood flooring was laid throughout, with joinery, including this library wall, by MJM (mjmbespoke.com)Bespoke

RENOVATION PROJECT

ABOVE LEFT A new inset roof helped to rebalance the proportions of the building’s exterior LEFT Inside, the ceilings thewoodend,totheremovedweretoextendroomheightsuptheroof.Atthefarawallofdarkbattensdefinesbedrooms

‘The previous layout comprised small rooms with low ceilings,’ Anna explains. ‘Fortunately, all the interior walls were non-load-bearing partitions, so we were able to open up the spaces entirely. A new inset roof was designed to create a parapet.’

FAR RIGHT The main bedroom includes an oak bed in the centre of the room and a window seat designed for the glass box window

18 | SEPTEMBER 2022

The finished project includes a full-width rear extension and a reconfigured interior, with bedrooms and bathrooms to one side of the open-plan living area, and garage and utility spaces on the other.

ABOVE A pair of sliding doors in the open-plan living area ensures the garden can be enjoyed all year round RIGHT The study features a walnut desk and shelving custom made by MJM (mjmbespoke.com)Bespoke

IMPROVE YOUR HOME rooms at the other, but this was too ambitious, and their planning application did not go smoothly. Despite their best efforts to liaise with neighbours and others, their original application was rejected following several complaints and they had to make significant changes before they managed to get consent. ‘Anna navigated the objections and submitted a revised plan that complied with various constraints. We also found some archaic rules in the conservation area guidelines which enabled us to keep certain features that were initially objected to,’ explains Matthew. ‘This included a ‘like-for-like’ replacement rule, which enabled us to have metal window frames rather than white uPVC, which would have been a dealbreaker for us.’

windowHalesowenArchitecturalGreenwaysin(01952794062).Theboxisaframelesscantileversystem,whiletheslidingdoorsare3m-widedouble-sliderswithzincframes

IMPROVE YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2022 | 19 RENOVATION PROJECT

Inside, the suspended ceilings were removed to vault the new roof and increase the height of the rooms. ‘It’s taken some adjusting to living in a bungalow, but we now feel that staircases waste a lot of space and living on one level enables us to interact as a family easily,’ Matthew says. ‘Initially, we planned to have a wide span of bi-folding doors at the back of the house so that the garden became part of our living space – somewhere to use in good weather or just to give a feeling of spaciousness. But we felt that too many vertical columns spoiled the view, so eventually opted for two 3.6m sliders. We’re not overlooked at all, so there’s a glass box window in our bedroom.’ In the early stages, they stayed in budget, but when it came to the finishing touches their costs exceeded it. ‘As regular viewers of Grand Designs, we were aware our budget would grow as the project progressed,’ Matthew admits. ‘By the time we got to the landscaping, things were getting very tight and we had to make compromises, but we’re proud and pleasantly surprised that the bungalow we nearly passed over has this year won a Royal Institute of British Architects (architecture.com) award.

The glazing was all supplied by

For your nearest installer, please call 0808 168 5816, email enquiry@origin-global.com or visit origin-global.com O MPLETELYBESPO KE COVETED STYLE REINVENT YOUR SPACE MADE IN BRITAIN

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Recently, changes have been made to building regulations in England, which affect self-build projects and some renovations. Regulations in Scotland were revised on 1 March 2022, and the Welsh government’s alterations come into effect on 23 November 2022. The updates in England require new homes to produce 31 per cent less carbon emissions than before the new rules, and will feed into the government’s Future Homes Standard, which aims to ensure new builds are carbon neutral by 2025.

‘There are different ways to meet the new standards,’ she continues. ‘Origin’s in-house research and development team focused on improving the thermal breaks and insulation. Doing so limits the transfer of energy and regulates the temperature of a room, making the products more efficient without impacting their functionality or looks.’

What to consider when weighing up how best to comply with the new regulatory standards

Further information Full building regulations for each country are on the central government (legislation.gov.uk) and Local Authority Building Control (LABC) websites (labcfrontdoor.co.uk), as well as the Planning Portal (planningportal.co.uk).

fromthatfeature(idsystems.co.uk)doorsaluminiumGrandcom),(georgekingarchitects.Architectsopen-cornerSliderIIslidingbyIDSystemspocketdoorsslidebackintothewall.Pricesstartaround£1,020persqm,includinginstallation

to ensure your project meets the rules

How

Words JO MESSENGER

Improvements in efficiency

Glazing comes under Part L of the regulations, which details the thermal efficiency of a building including the windows and glazed doors. ‘There are new standards for U-values, which measures the rate at which heat is transferred through a material or product,’ says Victoria Brocklesby, COO at Origin (origin-global.com). ‘The lower the number, the better a material or product is at limiting heat loss or gain, and the less energy is needed to warm and cool a home.’ The new minimum U-values are 1.2 W/m2K for windows and 1.0 W/m2K for glazed doors for new homes, and 1.4W/m2K for replacement windows and glazed doors. Factors to consider Visit several glazing showrooms and research the products on your wishlist.

‘Homeowners must think carefully when weighing up their options for new glazing,’ Victoria adds. ‘One way to achieve the improved U-values is through triple glazing. But triple glazing is expensive and makes the units heavy. This can result in bi-folding or sliding doors that are more difficult to operate.

BUILDING REGULATIONS IMPROVE YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2022 | 21

In this project by George King

24 | SEPTEMBER 2022 IMPROVE YOUR HOME The oak-framed doors and windows pivotsaboveand(artcraftjoinery.co.uk)ARTcraftbespoke-madewerebyjoineryincludeadesignthesinkthathorizontally Experimenting with materials and bringing in light has taken this 1930s terrace to another architectural level Above and beyond Words JO MESSENGER Photographs NICK DEARDEN PROJECT PROFILE LOCATION Walthamstow, east London STYLE OF PROPERTY Three-bedroom 1930s terrace PROJECT STARTED March 2020 PROJECT FINISHED August 2020 PROPERTY COST £512,500 BUILD COST £217,500 (including fees)

IMPROVE YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2022 | 25

A 3m-deep extension was partially removed, and the side walls extended out a further 2m to create

Grant and Catherine, who are both 43, moved in with their daughters Betsy, ten, and Tilde, seven, in 2019, choosing to live in the house for 13 months before starting any building work. ‘For us it was more about maximising the quality of the light and space, rather than simply adding more room,’ Grant says. In March 2020, right at the start of lockdown, the family moved into a rented home and the five-month project began.

RENOVATION PROJECT

ABOVE The loft dormer is clad in Rieder FibreC and Oko Skin glass fibre (purafacades.co.uk)fromconcretereinforcedpanelsPurafacades LEFT Understated white handleless units by Halcyon joistsDouglascontrast(halcyoninteriors.com)Interiorswiththefirexposedabove

When Grant and Catherine Straghan were thinking about moving, they weren’t only prompted by the need for a bigger home for their family. Grant, who is an architect, was also looking for a renovation project where he could experiment with some architectural ideas he’d been mulling over, before proposing them to clients. ‘This house came up for sale two streets away from the flat we’d lived in for ten years,’ says Grant. ‘It’s part of the ex-Warner estate in Lloyd Park, Walthamstow. Everything had been stripped out, exposing the original floors, making it easy to see its potential.’

IMPROVE YOUR HOME a bigger open-plan downstairs living space, a separate utility room and toilet. ‘The houses either side had already completed similar extensions,’ Grant explains. ‘But my application for a small extension above, to increase the size of the bathroom, was a first for the immediate area. I was confident that planning permission for the ground floor would be granted, as the neighbours had set a precedent, but fortunately both were approved without a hitch. Our loft conversion, built at the same time, was carried out under permitted development rights (PDR).’ Grant and primary school teacher Catherine chose oak-framed glazing and French doors – with those on the first floor stained grey on the exterior to complement the London stock bricks – fibre cement cladding for the loft dormer, and a white oiled finish on the floorboards inside for a softer look. All the new windows and doors are doubleglazed, with those to the two bathrooms featuring a bespoke, fading-gradient film to provide privacy while offering views of the tree canopy and sky. The colour of the oak kitchen window and French doors contrasts with the bold, green exterior tiles, internal exposed joists and Douglas fir flooring, with two large rooflights bringing in plenty of daylight to the spaces towards the centre of the house. ‘The doors

26 | SEPTEMBER 2022

ABOVE Douglas fir trees yield extra-wide and long makingfloorboards,themidealforanunderstatedScandi-stylescheme The privacyOpaquefamilyshowerspaceextensionsecond-storeysmallcreatedforawalk-ininthecouple’sbathroom.filmprovidesatthewindow

RIGHT

ABOVE The steel shower screen in the loft wet room features Master-soft glass from Hourglass (hourglass. uk.com), which is smooth on one side and textured on the reverse LEFT Lime plaster is breathable and absorbs moisture, helping to regulate humidity levels. Grant used it throughout most of the house, including in the loft conversion have higher base rails to better frame the view of the garden, while the window above the sink has a horizontal pivot,’ says Grant. With lockdown in full swing, building materials were hard to get hold of and there were long waits for certain supplies. During the 20-week project, the couple waited 14 weeks for the Douglas fir joists to arrive, which held up completion of the extension roof. ‘There were also restrictions on gypsum plaster, so we went for lime plaster in the living area, hall and loft bedroom. The advantage of the lime plaster is that it doesn’t need to be painted. We’ve grown to love its textural tone,’ says Grant. The soft, natural finish of the lime-plastered walls is further enhanced by the addition of a circular rooflight above the landing in the loft conversion. ‘The double-height landing is not something you would normally expect to find in a typical terrace,’ he continues. ‘We sacrificed some of the bedroom space to make a feature of it and the curved wall frames the staircase. It’s a great spot to stand and see the moonlight coming in.’ Despite the pandemic, the project was finished on time and only marginally over budget. Next on the list for Grant and Catherine are a more elegant front porch, much-coveted bespoke wardrobes and a wildflower roof over the ground-floor extension.

RENOVATION PROJECT

IMPROVE YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2022 | 27

For more information on door designs, colours and accessories visit www.solidor.co.uk With our door designer creating the perfect Solidor never looked so easy.

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30 | SEPTEMBER 2022 IMPROVE YOUR HOME This family home, filled with natural light, was built on a narrow site and replaces a rundown garage A secluded haven Words JO MESSENGER Photographs RORY GARDINER PROJECT PROFILE LOCATION Highgate, north London STYLE OF PROPERTY Four-bedroom self-build (one used as a studio) PLOT SIZE 200sqm PROJECT STARTED January 2011 PROJECT FINISHED July 2020 PROPERTY COST £175,000 BUILD COST £3,000 per sqm

SELF BUILD

IMPROVE YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2022 | 31

LEFT The house is clad in Siberian larch, with window frames in Douglas fir finished with Osmo HS Plus oil. Larch glulam timber beams were supplied by (lilleheden.co.uk)Lilleheden BELOW The front of the property is in line with the original 5.1m-wide garage and has Douglas fir shutters at either end to provide ventilation. All windows and doors are double glazed, and were installed by the contractor Tucked down a 2.4m-wide passageway, the understated exterior of Russell Jones and Sarah Hare’s mews home belies none of the rocky journey that the couple endured to get to the finish line of their nine-year self-build project. Architects, Russell, 58, and Sarah, 59, were trawling through commercial property websites when they came across a garage plot complete with some land at the rear. ‘Looking for potential building sites is something I have done out of habit since working in London,’ says Russell, who is originally from Australia. ‘Land in London is scarce, expensive and compromised. We were lucky we were able to negotiate with the original owner to extend the plot size without having to increase the price. We worked back from the end value and realised that the asking price at the time wasn’t too unrealistic.’ Other developers were interested in the site, but offered well below its value and the sale went through relatively smoothly. Russell and Sarah recognised that the dimensions of the site were similar to an average Victorian building plot in PROJECT

The couple first saw the garage in the spring of 2007, but it was not until October of that year that it became theirs. Planning approval took another year, then the global economic crisis meant securing funding became difficult, but construction eventually began in 2011 – although things did not start well. ‘Sadly, our first contractor died, then the second one had a heart attack,’ Russell explains.

The couple’s daughter Matilda, 15, had been born just before the sale completed and it was

‘Eventually, the project was carried out by our nanny’s husband, who was fantastic.’

32 | SEPTEMBER 2022 IMPROVE YOUR HOME w ABOVE At the rear, the open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas open on to an informal terrace and walled garden RIGHT To contrast with the porcelainalllowworktops,cladding,timberthekitchenbathrooms,tablesandnicheshavematt-whitesurfaces

length and width, and given their backgrounds in and understanding of local planning guidelines, they knew they would be able to obtain approval to build a house. ‘The planners encouraged us to design a building reflective of its backland context and we took this as a huge plus. It helped us arrive at the home we have today,’ says Russell.

IMPROVE YOUR HOME SEPTEMBER 2022 | 33 w

ABOVE The furniture, including desks, beds, shelves, cupboards and doors, is all made from the same Douglas fir boards as the interior lining RIGHT The house is arranged over four slightly separated levels that follow the natural slope of the site important to them to create a home with enough space to grow into as a family. Russell was raised in modern houses in both Melbourne and Sydney, with split-level sections, and plenty of natural light and materials. This, he says, influenced the design of the new house. ‘We both studied architecture in the 1980s, and Sarah had her own practice in Berlin and then in the UK,’ he continues. ‘We generally arrive at the same conclusions on design – or almost – but in a very different way.’

SELF BUILD

The building’s width at the front roughly follows the garage’s footprint, but at the rear it extends to a limit that was set by the planners. The family eventually moved into an unfinished house in 2015 and the project was finally completed during the pandemic. ‘The layout, size of the building and its shape largely developed from setback requirements, distances to neighbours, avoiding potential overlooking and trying to get as much natural light as possible into the interior,’ Russell says. ‘It’s not an ideal way to design a building, but is necessary in a cramped city location. The PROJECT

IMPROVE YOUR HOME narrow access also influenced how the building would be built and the type of materials we used. Everything had to be carried or wheeled down the passageway and the materials were chosen for their light weight as well as their beauty and ability to weather.’ In keeping with the house’s design, all the glazing, doors and shutters were bespoke made from Douglas fir by the main contractor, Tomasz Raczynski. A number of unexpected problems arose during the build, which had a knock-on effect not only on the construction but also the couple’s finances. ‘We were delayed moving in by year,’ Russell explains. ‘The build was stressful and took far longer than anticipated, but we were not deterred and remained positive. Sarah, Matilda and I love the house and its relationship to the garden. Once we’re inside the front door, the rest of the world disappears.’

34 | SEPTEMBER 2022

SELF BUILD PROJECT

ABOVE The main bedroom and bathroom are on the topmost level, along with a glazed stairwell that brings additional light into the interior LEFT Simple large-formatwhitetilesand a narrow wall-hung basin create a feeling of space in the bathroom

For your nearest installer, please call 0808 168 5816, email enquiry@origin-global.com or visit origin-global.com CO MPLETELYBESPO KE COVETED STYLE REINVENT YOUR SPACE MADE IN BRITAIN The NEW OI-30 Internal Door With industry-leading designs, guarantees and lead times, there’s no need to put your plans on hold, so whatever your project, choose Origin.