[Closed] Grand Designs

ta muchly

No clear idea if it's possible and what it might really cost. Good start!

Isn't that the same line every week?

It's a tried and tested formula, so why change it?

How long before somebody ends up pregnant?

Well, it's basically a big multi-storey shed in the sky.

If only they'd given McMoonter a call

Have they run out of budget yet?

Have they decided to spend more on the windows then first planned?

Are they really using the natural light here to make you feel outside?

'self sufficient' - tick

It ain't no tree house, that's for sure!

Also, quite handily, we have been able to view the progress from the overlooking Sainsbury carpark. Most amusing.

2 years into the 9 month project. Standard GD performance

Looks nice on the outside, really not keen on the inside. Just doesn't hang together for me.

Meh

Not doing it for me

How did they get building regs sign off on that raised walkway entrance without a handrail?

I love that. Inspiring.

Stunning, love it! Love all the upcycling of the RR tiles, the gym floor and lab work tops, as well as the walkway.
The views from the various windows are fabulous and the ties in the kitchen are gorgeous.
The random old furniture works for me as well.
I could happily live there, there isn't anything I'd change.

It's in a conversation area so we can't use concentrate ....no Tescos used up all that on two sides of your small plot of land..

Why soo much wood used in a cold damp country?

Loved it too.
I was surprised the council gave it PP.

Have they run out of budget yet?
Have they decided to spend more on the windows then first planned?

We get it.....you dislike grand designs. To be fair though. I think the majority of people building their own house (that I know of anyway) could probably tick the above.

We get it.....you dislike grand designs. To be fair though. I think the majority of people building their own house (that I know of anyway) could probably tick the above.

I like Grand Designs but some of the regular tropes are rather tiresome. The main one is people starting with, or claiming, budgets that are not even close to achievable even if they'd just added up the obvious big ticket items (even if you allow for 'architect' pricing).

We've just about built our house 'on budget' but that was done by having realistic planning figures for costs and a proper contingency (which all got spent)

Great episode, and I loved the end result. So much better than the tedious teletubby exterior/massively expensive german glass/eco bawbags airtight insulation/white paint interior recipe.

walkway entrance without a handrail

I thought that, but I'm thinking it's not finished yet? Didn't look like there was any glass / barrier in most of the handrail around the deck.

I liked both it and the people building it, not often that happens it's usually one at best.
It's one of my favourites I think, I'd actually like to live in it.

Next week's looks like it is going to be utterly bonkers.

We get it.....you dislike grand designs.

You're wrong.

Were there rainy shots of it dripping into the interior with Kevin saying this could put them weeks behind?

I generally liked it and them.

Can't believe a bike website hasn't pointed out Pedersen bikes were made in Dursley. In fact, the "tree house" looks like it is just off Long Lane where Mikael Pedersen had a bike track in the back garden of Raglan House. The house is still there, but the back garden and old Lister works now look flattened and full of bland new builds.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/ @51.682393,-2.3511611,3a,75y,194.92h,97.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRqpJLnDKqXVADGa2-2Ex8A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

i liked the wallpaper!

Thought the structure was interesting. The timber cladding will look much better in its context when it's weathered. Project cost discussion at the end was predictably woolly. Handrails a bit lacking but with some judicious use of interpretation the access ramp may be considered the approach to the building not the actual building.

Why do they show so many unfinished houses during each series? Surely be better off waiting to they're complete.

Probably wouldn't be a programme!

Why do they show so many unfinished houses during each series? Surely be better off waiting to they're complete.

' johns a city banker earning 1 million per year but this is his second mortgage for the build. Hes had to get another loan as his flat in london is still mortgaged '

Just caught up with this. Beautiful result and deserved as he in particular seems like a talented and down to earth guy. But...

How did it take 3 "structural engineers" and £14k to work out that triangles are strong than squares. It took a year before the bloke with thick-rimmed glasses wearing a scarf indoors stuck some braces n and just about halved the quantity of steel they needed. IANASE (though IAAE) but that just seemed obvious.

Have they decided to spend more on the windows then first planned?

No. Not windows Drac. You mean 'bespoke glazing system' 😉

Pretty good reversing by the tractor driver too.

I liked the house but the location was terrible. If I was spending all that money building my dream house I'd build it in the middle of nowhere with the nearest neighbour a minimum of half a mile away. I can't help thinking when they open the windows or sit outside in the summer all they're going to hear is engines from the supermarket carpark. Terrible.

jekkyl - Member

I liked the house but the location was terrible. If I was spending all that money building my dream house I'd build it in the middle of nowhere with the nearest neighbour a minimum of half a mile away. I can't help thinking when they open the windows or sit outside in the summer all they're going to hear is engines from the supermarket carpark. Terrible.

It's not always easy to buy land in the places like that though, plus access, planning permission etc. Then if you throw in budget, you're making it harder again.

Whilst we'd all love our dream location, the reality is often far more complex.

If I was spending all that money building my dream house I'd build it in the middle of nowhere with the nearest neighbour a minimum of half a mile away.

You want to build a house in the place that [i]you[/i] and everyone else would object to if you weren't the person building it. It what [i]everyone[/i] wants and what everyone wants nobody else to have. 🙂

And incidentally - I've lived in exactly that scenario - one neighbour 1/2 a mile away, nearest hamlet about 3 miles away, nearest town 10 miles away. And you know what you can hear? - all day and night? With 2ft thick stone walls and 4" of insulated dry lining? Traffic. When its that quiet you can hear everything. The sound of traffic was the first thing anyone commented on when they came to visit.

Conversely I've also lived two places in central Glasgow - both corner properties with 10ft tall single glazed sash window - that people always described as 'eerily quiet'.

The problem with any properly quiet location is every noise you can hear seems significant.

If I was spending all that money building my dream house I'd build it in the middle of nowhere with the nearest neighbour a minimum of half a mile away

For me a nice view would be good, as would enough outside space to have a veg patch, but I want to live within walking distance of some friends, a pub, some shops and entertainment. A holiday in the middle of nowhere is wonderful but for me nothing worse than being stuck there. I go slightly stir crazy at the SIL's in France where there a 30minute walk from the village - having to get in the car for everything isn't my idea of fun.

They were pretty well screened from the supermarket car park and their views into the hills were lovely.

Thinking about it, that plot would have suited me fine.

How did it take 3 "structural engineers" and £14k to work out that triangles are strong than squares.

For me a nice view would be good, as would enough outside space to have a veg patch, but I want to live within walking distance of some friends, a pub, some shops and entertainment. A holiday in the middle of nowhere is wonderful but for me nothing worse than being stuck there. I go slightly stir crazy at the SIL's in France where there a 30minute walk from the village - having to get in the car for everything isn't my idea of fun.

They were pretty well screened from the supermarket car park and their views into the hills were lovely.

Thinking about it, that plot would have suited me fine.

[img] [/img]

It's so appealing that it was chosen as the English home of a character in a Japanese animé called [i]Kiniro Mosaic[/i], and attracts a lot of visitors as a result:

[img] [/img]

It's also a hotel, restaurant and tearoom, as well as Caron's home, and it really does posess a lot of the things that people really desire.
However, the two nearest villages, Nettleton and Castle Combe offer limited facilities Nettleton has a small shop and post office, Castle Combe has neither, both involve a long walk along either narrow lanes or along footpaths, each taking about half to three-quarters of an hour to walk to, the nearest main road is a mile along the Fosseway in one direction, over two miles in the other.
There are no buses that use the Fosseway, the nearest supermarket is in Chippenham, seven miles away, and as for peace and quiet, yes, it is quiet, but has the constant white noise of the M4 around two-three miles away.
I increasingly realise that, as you get older, the restrictions placed on you by living in a home somewhat removed from everyone else comes with its extra price; that of needing a car for everything, and if you should find yourself unable to drive, then things get very difficult indeed!
Just to give an idea of how spread out everywhere is, Caron's home, called Lugbury Farm on the map, now called Fosse Farmhouse, is right in the centre, all the lanes are narrow, the Fosseway is, just, two lane, but in places needing passing places, in some very steep and narrow.

[IMG] [/IMG]

I think there's a bus a couple of times a day that stops at The Gib, just to the North-East. it's a mile walk.

We've never moved on from every ad break being preceded by "Black!" in a fast show stylee.

Same here. The views were lovely, and really gave the feeling of remoteness, while having all the benefits of local amenities within really easy reach.

Thats positively cosmopolitan CZ 🙂 - a couple of folk I used to visit for work lived [url= https://www.google.com/maps/dir/ @58.5488153,-4.4576126,19z/data=!3m1!1e3!4m4!1m3!3m2!1s0x48901091a4694a0d:0x23c09c9832bbf91!2sTongue,+Lairg,+UK]here[/url]

Forget buses - apples are are a newsworthy event. Neither of them drive but they both travelled globally with their work. Its just that the beginning and end of each trip was half a day in the post-bus. 🙂 In fact it was a surprise how many people I used to meet up that way who didn't drive or have a car in the household. IIRC at the time buses to Thurso were once a fortnight.

Looks like this is going to be a classic

Couple of knobbers from London with too much money

Buying a beautiful old house in the country with character

And ruining it
A massive black barn in the back garden. No view of the rear lawns and beautiful trees anymore
Budget of over 800 k for a big shed
Crack on !

Pffftttt, I grew up here.

Nearest post box is a mile away, nearest streetlamp is two.

Had to share it with the paying proletariat though.

[img] [/img]

Tonight's looks, erm, a bit special.

Reminds me of the people who bought the house in Beetlejuice.

Or the big commercial sheds that farmers put next to their farmhouse

Who gives out planning permission? Its not sympathetic, balanced or matches the old lodge.

Wtf check the ham out!!

i quite like it , and the people too .

Turned out quite nice.

Funky build but they just said '**** that' to the original building which was a shame as it had some lovely detail that could have been echoed in the new build.

Built for the kids. Ace.

Not a visitor centre like they normally are.

How many times was the word "fun" used?

I think that's the first one where I've actually laughed out loud! There's some delightful touches to that house, it's been built with love and care, with the children being fully involved about the whole house, not just their bedrooms, which is a first!
Lots of quirky touches, but why the hell not, if they can be included during the build.
The build came in right on time, and pretty much on budget too, but then they're both professionals employing professionals to oversee the project?
Loved the brickwork, too, the quilted effect was lovely, as was the fireplace.

I don't mind the interior it's the exterior (and who looks at the people?!?), it's not sympathetic to its surroundings at all. Just a giant black shed. Or as Kevin said 'it's like a giant black tent draped over a large frame.

I liked it a lot.

No mention was made of the link to the old house though.

I wonder what their plans [b]really[/b] are for that? Granny Annex? Holiday Let? Accidently back a digger into it and gain a front garden?

I too liked it. The outside was pretty good, the brickwork and the dark zinc worked well, IMO. Inside was, well, fun.
Not so sure about doing it so close to the old house, but it would have been a shame to knock it down.

I suspect they were being honest - old house will become a "guest wing" which they could potentially let out.

I really like the outside - the textured brickwork and zinc looked fantastic.tic and should age gracefully. Unashamadely modern.

Some lovely details on the interior and some fails. The fireplace was elegant but made tacky by the Latin text. Clashing styles in an open plan space looked like an interiors show with different room sets. They are over budget - they've spent it all and are some way off finishing. A full refurb on an old 3 bed house(?) to a high standard has got be 50k minimum plus a chunk for that glazed link.

Blown budget

baby

self builder

it was all there tonight .

One of my most favourite ever tonight, they were so nice, and the build was stunning.

Simply stunning craftsmanship, and very likeable humble family. Best build I've seen for a while right up there with guy who made his cave house, the engineer in Oban who converted an old ice store in the rock and who can forget the hobbit house on the woods

Fantastic advert for their business too. 8)

Well yes, apart from the fact the old cottage basically had no real identified use. Playroom? Business? Flat?

Only saw last 5 minutes but there was a nice big room for them. The two kids sharing and oh yes she's preggers, so are there enough rooms?

Long ago I gave up watching Grand Designs, so far had it moved from what originally interested me.

By chance I decided to watch it tonight, though without knowing what was due to be shown.

That has to be up there with one of the best I have seen - their dedication, ability, vision and sense of design being perfectly brought together in their house. Excellent.

Ah but no issues with bespoke German glazing, so doesn't get house in grand designs bingo. But truly stunning house

Wow. One of the best I've seen.

I guess that as the kids grow up they can move into the old building.

Interesting build but way, way too much wood - basically the same idea regurgitated again and again. Not that I could've built anything like it but not enough interest in the building.

Meh

The steamed bent wood looked OK, but you wouldn't want it everywhere.
The kitchen looked like a sauna and you'd soon get bored of opening cupboard doors to get at the kitchen features.
And it is hard to feel sorry for a couple who's business has taken off so much that they don't have the time to finish hand building their own house - luckily having enough money to get builders in though.
Jealous moi? 🙂

Brilliant. One of my favorites. Lovely couple and a great build.

That was absolutely brilliant. Something genuinely unique. I bet he's going to have a busy order book on the back of that. Good on him. His work was amazing. And they seemed like really nice people.

Nice to see that Kev has got the memo about acres of German imported glass slotted into place to produce another minted couple's ego-castle, that looks like a visitor centre, isn't actually very interesting to watch

Only saw last 5 minutes but there was a nice big room for them. The two kids sharing and oh yes she's preggers, so are there enough rooms?

Yeah, for a mathematician she did a poor job of calculating how many bedrooms they needed.

I am sure they always had plans to extend in the future – I believe they were in a conservation area so they were probably limited on size but now they have the building (and it looks great) the planning guys will be more relaxed about them extending it.

now they have the building (and it looks great) the planning guys will be more relaxed about them extending it.

That's not usually how it works - in fact the opposite. When planning is tricky it normally comes with a clause that removes any permitted development rights and makes future extensions difficult.

I thought it was very well executed and looked lovely. They'll never shut the doors on the kitchen (the doors didn't look very robust either) and you'd have to really learn to love wood if you were living there.

The layout didn't make any sense at all though - why would you design a 2 bedroom house with 3 1/2 living rooms if you'd already got 2 kids? The house was big - 220m2. In a couple of years they'll end up ripping apart the work they did on the cottage to create another couple of bedrooms and a bathroom. Seems a waste.

Also, the reason the upstairs was small was because of the wide balconies they'll almost certainly never use.

I very much doubt it's in a conservation area, got a very good idea of where it is as friends and friends of friends were involved in the build.
Sized to a price without sacrificing aesthetic wants, the rest will sort itself out in time.

Haha, not a great start so far.

So, is Kev going to provide the grandchild, rather than just child?

Wait till all the spiders and other bugs get between the joints of all that black cladding. It won't have those clean sharp looks in a years time.
Rotting leaves on those rooftop windows will look good too.

looks like it was designed using minecraft...