0:00:02 > 0:00:05Have you ever dreamed of living in a house built specially for you,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08or of renovating the house you already live in?
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Then the chances are, you'll need an architect
0:00:14 > 0:00:16to design, build and transform your home.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20My own interior style is just coolness.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23We're following some of the nation's architects
0:00:23 > 0:00:26leading the way in ground-breaking design and innovation.
0:00:26 > 0:00:27Oh, yes.
0:00:27 > 0:00:32We'll be with them every step of the way, as they battle with builders...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Quick word in his ear, make sure there's no more mishaps.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38- That's not good! - ..and blueprints...
0:00:38 > 0:00:41This is the classic sleepless-night project, if I'm being honest.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43..and the clients who hire them...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- It's like working with the Chuckle Brothers.- Ho-ho-ho!
0:00:46 > 0:00:49You've got a very strange understanding of the word "today".
0:00:49 > 0:00:51How do you know your calculations are right?
0:00:51 > 0:00:54..and draw on their seven years of study...
0:00:54 > 0:00:56I'll go with the architect's opinion, I'm afraid.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58..to solve everyday problems...
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Seriously, this is a serious bad day.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03..all in the name of making the properties
0:01:03 > 0:01:05we dream of become a reality.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Today, architect Chris Loyn gets to grips with a budget-busting
0:01:25 > 0:01:27upside-down house near Cardiff.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30One day, I'm going to live in a house like this
0:01:30 > 0:01:32and not just do it for others.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34We'll see the highs...
0:01:34 > 0:01:36This is amazing. Oh, I can't believe it.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37..and the lows...
0:01:37 > 0:01:43Whoa, whoa, whoa! That sounded like there was some cracking noises.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46..in its transformation from drawing to dream home.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49And architect David Blaikie is working with a family
0:01:49 > 0:01:52whose house just doesn't work for them any more.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55I'll get my thermal hard hat on and we'll have a quick look.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58But will their high expectations be achievable on their tight budget?
0:01:58 > 0:02:01This is definitely something we didn't expect,
0:02:01 > 0:02:02and we will have to pay the extra.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09In Wales, in the Vale of Glamorgan, husband and wife, Jon and Marianne,
0:02:09 > 0:02:13have lived in this beautiful long house for the past 20 years.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16The house we've got now is a bit quirky, isn't it?
0:02:16 > 0:02:18It's evolved over the years
0:02:18 > 0:02:21because the oldest part of the house is actually the extension.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- Yep.- But this is 18th... - Cos that's 16th or 17th century
0:02:25 > 0:02:27like an old shack, really, wasn't it?
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- Yeah.- With every improvement, I think we've made it better.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32They love their home,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35but it's the wonderful location that has kept them here for so long.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- And this is the best view. - I think this is the best view.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42And it's south facing so we get the sun from here all day.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Yeah. Yeah, it's hard to beat.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46The view may be everything they want,
0:02:46 > 0:02:47but having raised their family,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Marianne, a self-employed education consultant,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53and Jon, Director of Post-Graduate Dental Education in Wales,
0:02:53 > 0:02:55have decided it's time to plan for the future.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59My background is nursing and health visiting and I've noticed,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02even with our own parents, they don't move when they can move.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04And then things become difficult for them,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06so I didn't want to be in that.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09I wanted to move before things became difficult.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Somewhere that was easy to maintain and was on the flat
0:03:13 > 0:03:16and would have the capabilities, if necessary,
0:03:16 > 0:03:18to handle a wheelchair.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21You know, it didn't have little corners and things like that.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24I suppose doing your own build, it gives you an opportunity
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- to do exactly what you want. - That's right.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Faced with the dilemma of what to do if you love your view,
0:03:30 > 0:03:32but want a new, cutting-edge house,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Marianne and Jon decided to think laterally.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38They're building a brand-new home next door to their old one.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44They've chosen architect Chris Loyn to design it.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47His practice is responsible for some of the most innovative,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50impressive and expensive homes in Wales.
0:03:50 > 0:03:51It's up to Chris to draw up
0:03:51 > 0:03:53exactly what Marianne and Jon are looking for.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58Very early on we came up with a diagram because the client,
0:03:58 > 0:04:02it's got beautiful views, stunning views of open countryside,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05and the client wanted an upside-down house
0:04:05 > 0:04:09with living accommodation on the first floor
0:04:09 > 0:04:11and bedrooms down at ground floor,
0:04:11 > 0:04:14which was the opposite to the existing house.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Marianne and Jon have asked for a large reception room
0:04:17 > 0:04:19and three bedrooms on the ground floor.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22On the first floor, there will be an expansive living room
0:04:22 > 0:04:25and an open-plan kitchen-diner.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28There's a sense of openness to, and an interaction with, the outside.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31It's heavily glazed on the southern facade,
0:04:31 > 0:04:35shaded so it doesn't overheat, and also creating a balcony space
0:04:35 > 0:04:38so you can sit when the Welsh drizzle comes down,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41but it still might be balmy and warm,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45so it's got these degrees of inside-outside space.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48And the design features don't stop there...
0:04:48 > 0:04:52One important element of the brief was future proofing,
0:04:52 > 0:04:54if you like, we're all growing older,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58they wanted a house that they could live in for the rest of their days,
0:04:58 > 0:05:04come what may, so movement through the house was a key aspect.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06We've made provision for a lift, in fact,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08to take you up to the first floor.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11It's not in at the moment, because it's not needed,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14and we find this more and more with our one-off housing,
0:05:14 > 0:05:21that people are looking for the long term and for a lifetime home.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Building in their garden has saved Marianne and Jon
0:05:23 > 0:05:26around £250,000 on the cost of a plot.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30They have a total budget of £842,000.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32£660,000 for build costs
0:05:32 > 0:05:36and a further £182,000 in the pot to split between paying
0:05:36 > 0:05:40for their new kitchen and bathrooms, and fees, including the services
0:05:40 > 0:05:44of Chris and his team to oversee the entire build from start to finish.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47The steel beam and wood design of this upside-down house
0:05:47 > 0:05:49means that the whole thing should go up
0:05:49 > 0:05:52in just ten months. The trouble is,
0:05:52 > 0:05:54this build has so many cutting-edge features,
0:05:54 > 0:05:58keeping it on schedule and on budget will take enormous expertise,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01as lead contractor John knows only too well.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05Well, it's really the detail. Steel frame, timber frame,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09external timber cladding, flat roof, balcony details,
0:06:09 > 0:06:13external terraces. All these add up to an extraordinary build,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17but also needs a bit of thinking in terms of the design and construction.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22John may be in charge of the running of the build,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25but Marianne is determined to be hands on.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29She's a woman who knows what she wants and how she wants it.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31OK.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35It's always been her real project, I think that's fair to say.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37I'm just dragged along behind.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Better weather today. Yeah?
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- Lovely.- Really nice.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46It IS my project and the architects have drawn to my brief,
0:06:46 > 0:06:50but we do obviously discuss everything, and the thing is,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53you know, it was a joint decision to go ahead on it.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57I mean, I'm excited about it, but I'm nervous about it at this point,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01because between now and Christmas, a lot of decisions have to be made
0:07:01 > 0:07:03and those decisions have to be the right decisions,
0:07:03 > 0:07:05and essentially, to a large extent,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07it will be me making those decisions.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10I was just going to say that. It WILL be her decision.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- Yeah, exactly. - And I'll be right behind her.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15And if it goes wrong, if it doesn't look right,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18then it will be largely my fault.
0:07:30 > 0:07:31400 miles away in Edinburgh,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34the McFadden family have outgrown their house.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40We moved into this house five or six years ago
0:07:40 > 0:07:44and just since then, we've had twins and the family's grown,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47so we felt we just wanted to extend the house.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Mhairi and Peter looked into moving,
0:07:50 > 0:07:52but with the cost of buying the extra space they needed,
0:07:52 > 0:07:56combined with the price of moving, it was out of their budget.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00So, for them, extending rather than upping sticks makes perfect sense.
0:08:00 > 0:08:01So Mhairi took it upon herself
0:08:01 > 0:08:04to find the architect who could realise her dream.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08I spent many weeks driving around different streets in Edinburgh
0:08:08 > 0:08:10checking out other people's house extensions
0:08:10 > 0:08:14and one day I came across an extension I really liked and it was
0:08:14 > 0:08:17exactly what we wanted, so I checked that out online and found out it was
0:08:17 > 0:08:21David Blaikie who was the architect, so I contacted him because of that.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24David is an award-winning Edinburgh architect
0:08:24 > 0:08:27who's known for designing light-filled, modern extensions.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31But getting this simple design off the ground wasn't straightforward.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34We had difficulties with the planning process on this one.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36The client wanted us to propose something which gave them
0:08:36 > 0:08:39two extra bedrooms upstairs and we came up with a scheme for that
0:08:39 > 0:08:43and the planning department just didn't think it was appropriate.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45So we had to modify the design
0:08:45 > 0:08:49which meant there was only one bedroom upstairs
0:08:49 > 0:08:53and a much bigger and brighter sitting area downstairs.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58The original roofline of the bungalow came like that,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01so we've extended this roof slope out.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04It meant we could put a pretty big dormer window up here.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09With their budget set at £90,000,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12to cover everything from build costs, to VAT and architects' fees,
0:09:12 > 0:09:17Mhairi and Peter want to say goodbye to their impractical home.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20They've employed David to design a brand-new two storey extension,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23with a spacious bedroom for their boys, complete with en suite
0:09:23 > 0:09:27and a large new family room below.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31It's an extension that should change their home and lives for the better
0:09:31 > 0:09:35and they're hoping to get the whole thing built in just four months.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Today, after months of planning, work starts on the house...
0:09:40 > 0:09:41Is this the right house?
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Unlike the build in Wales where Marianne is across every detail,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Mhairi and Peter are leaving their project in the hands of David.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53He's going to regularly inspect the build as well as design it,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56and is well aware he'll need to look after Peter and Mhairi
0:09:56 > 0:09:58as much as the bricks and mortar.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Because we're doing it all the time, we often do forget
0:10:02 > 0:10:05that the client doesn't understand it
0:10:05 > 0:10:07in the same sort of detail that we do.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09And sometimes the client has got to say,
0:10:09 > 0:10:11"No David, you know, explain that to me again.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13"What was that?" "Oh, right, sure. OK."
0:10:15 > 0:10:17It's only a couple of weeks into the build
0:10:17 > 0:10:20and David hits a potentially major problem.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23He's on site and has some explaining to do.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25The structural engineer has come back to say
0:10:25 > 0:10:28that the extension is going to need an additional six
0:10:28 > 0:10:31heavy and expensive steel beams to make the structure secure.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33For the head contractor, Steven Gillis,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35it will mean a lot more work.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37I think we'll have to lose the ceiling myself.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40I can't see us keeping it, because there's triples
0:10:40 > 0:10:42and doubles going in there.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Mhairi and Peter's £90,000 budget is already at its limit.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Any unexpected costs so early in the build
0:10:48 > 0:10:50could seriously compromise the final finish.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Well, obviously you don't like surprises.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54It's definitely something we didn't expect
0:10:54 > 0:10:56and we will have to pay the extra.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58My husband is just worried about the cost
0:10:58 > 0:11:00and what it's going to do as well.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03It might push, because we're having to order more steel,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05it might push the length of the build out.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10Extra time, extra materials and extra labour all add more expense
0:11:10 > 0:11:14so Mhairi's really hoping that this is the last of the surprises.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16But as David's inspection continues,
0:11:16 > 0:11:18he spots something else to add to the slate...
0:11:18 > 0:11:20Look at this. I think these have been painted.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- They have. - Now that's a new one. I've never...
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- No? - I've never come across that before.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- It's quite common.- Yeah?- Yeah. - What is it meant to...?
0:11:29 > 0:11:31- It just makes the house look better. - Oh, right.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33It's going to be an issue, isn't it?
0:11:33 > 0:11:36To actually match a concrete tile to that is going to be impossible
0:11:36 > 0:11:39so the client's got a decision to make,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42but the roof is either going to be two different tones of colour or...
0:11:42 > 0:11:45I'll get samples. You can get red, I think.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- I hope.- Yeah.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49It's another bit of bad news for Mhairi.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- Your roof has been painted in the past.- It has, yes.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55It gives us trouble in terms of matching up.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58I just wonder whether we need to actually think about replacing
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- all of the tiles on that roof slope. - I thought you might say that.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- Otherwise we'll have a patchy looking roof.- OK.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08I'll get Steve to give us a cost for doing that.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11The other thing that Steve has got a concern about is
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- the ceiling above the sitting room through there...- Yes.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17..has got an artex finish to it,
0:12:17 > 0:12:22but Steve thinks that once we've done the trebling up and doubling up
0:12:22 > 0:12:26of the joists up above it, it's going to be a bit of a mess, so...
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- New ceiling.- It might have to be a new ceiling up there as well.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- OK.- An opportunity to get a smooth ceiling.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Yes, but at extra cost!
0:12:34 > 0:12:36It might be extra cost,
0:12:36 > 0:12:40but in the case of the painted tiles, David thinks it's worth it.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Paint finish...it's a temporary measure. There's nothing permanent
0:12:43 > 0:12:46about it and that's what we're trying to achieve.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48You know, whatever we do, if we're doing some new building work,
0:12:48 > 0:12:52it's got to be something that is going to last the test of time
0:12:52 > 0:12:57and painting new concrete tiles just doesn't feel right.
0:12:57 > 0:12:58Come on then.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01It's a tricky situation. David is balancing the demands
0:13:01 > 0:13:02of a challenging budget,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05unexpected build costs and his creative integrity.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08It's just the unknown going forward, isn't it?
0:13:08 > 0:13:11You just don't know what other things you're going to find.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Exciting, but also a bit nervous about what's still to come.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Two weeks later and problems are mounting.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24The thing is, the dormer looks fantastic from the outside,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27it's actually just when you're inside it and you realise,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30you know, how low the ceiling feels.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33The one issue that we've had is that the height of this dormer,
0:13:33 > 0:13:35we're just a bit frustrated,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39because there is still a lot of roof space here, and we didn't see
0:13:39 > 0:13:43why there was any reason this had to be as low as it is.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Peter had spoken to David last week about the ceiling height
0:13:46 > 0:13:49and I actually sat down and wrote a bit of a stroppy e-mail
0:13:49 > 0:13:51on Saturday morning to him
0:13:51 > 0:13:55but, you know, I was getting really annoyed and I just wanted somebody
0:13:55 > 0:13:59to explain that it was going to be OK and they could fix it.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01With unhappy clients, the window structure already built,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04and no room left in the budget, David will need to draw on all
0:14:04 > 0:14:08his architectural and diplomatic skills to solve the problem.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14In Wales, architect Chris Loyn is working on an upside-down house
0:14:14 > 0:14:16for Marianne and Jon Cowpe.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19I suppose, doing your own build, it gives you an opportunity
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- to do exactly what you want. - That's right.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Today, Chris and his project designer, James Stroud,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27are taking the other colleagues from their practice to see
0:14:27 > 0:14:30an example of an upside-down house they've just completed.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34This extraordinary celebration of concrete and metal
0:14:34 > 0:14:36is buried into the Welsh hills.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37Shall we go in?
0:14:37 > 0:14:42This breathtaking house has taken five years to complete.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45All the living space is on the upper floor
0:14:45 > 0:14:49to make the most of the fantastic views, whilst the four bedrooms,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51each with an en-suite, are nestled underneath.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54And it's at this point when you come to the top of the stairs
0:14:54 > 0:14:57that you're presented with the view for the first time, really.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03I'm glad that you're actually surprised by the view.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05There'll be a lot of surprises here.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08We're just going to... suddenly get taken.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10I didn't think that was going to happen.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- Chris, you do the honours. - So down the long dark corridor.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Every inch of this house has been carefully thought out
0:15:20 > 0:15:22by Chris and James.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28The idea is that rather than having a spare room that sits empty,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31you know, 300 nights of the year, if not more,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35this can be part of the space rather than a corridor.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- And it can also... - Aaaah...
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- ..become a room. - I'll get the second one.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45And there we are.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49With your own private water courtyard.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55As a studio-based group, we work very closely together.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57All schemes are critiqued by one another.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59We're only a small team, there's eight of us,
0:15:59 > 0:16:04but we all work effectively on the same project.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08This project has been basically my life
0:16:08 > 0:16:12for the last, well, certainly the last 18 months.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16So I think it's very hard to stay detached from any building
0:16:16 > 0:16:19and I think the job, you know, regardless of the size
0:16:19 > 0:16:23and the scale and the complexity, you're constantly switched on to it.
0:16:23 > 0:16:28But I think with this project it's been an absolute labour of love.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34In the Vale of Glamorgan James has a new upside-down love in his life -
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Marianne and Jon's new home.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40The steel frame is up and there's scaffolding to the first floor.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41Amongst other things,
0:16:41 > 0:16:46it's James's job to make sure the contractors are following drawings.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48These boots are amazing!
0:16:50 > 0:16:53First of all, they don't have laces
0:16:53 > 0:16:57so the laces don't drag in the mud, and then they're really warm,
0:16:57 > 0:17:02because if you're on site all day, your feet get cold,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06although I sound like a moaning pen pusher, to be honest!
0:17:06 > 0:17:09If the contractors hear me saying that!
0:17:10 > 0:17:14But James isn't here to see the contractors today, he's come
0:17:14 > 0:17:18to give client Marianne the benefit of his architectural vision.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20This is the best bit now,
0:17:20 > 0:17:24but it's been a project that I've wanted to do for about 20 years now.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28I feel very excited and very frightened, and very nervous,
0:17:28 > 0:17:32because I know what the plans look like, but I haven't got a real feel
0:17:32 > 0:17:36for how it looks, so, like making decisions on things, I'm not...
0:17:36 > 0:17:40you know, if you go into a room and say what colour should this room be
0:17:40 > 0:17:43or what shall we do, you can see it because you're already in the room.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45But I'm not really in the room
0:17:45 > 0:17:48and I feel that the architect has got a good feel,
0:17:48 > 0:17:51because they understand more about the plans and what it'll look like.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54For example, I'm not really sure what the view will be like
0:17:54 > 0:17:58on the first floor of this house, because I haven't been up there yet.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Although Marianne's always had a clear vision for her new home,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06she's had to put her faith in Chris to interpret her ideas
0:18:06 > 0:18:08and now she doesn't know what to expect.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12It's up to James to show her just how stunning it will be.
0:18:12 > 0:18:13- Let's climb up and have a look.- OK.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Cos this will be the view from the kitchen.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- Yes, cos I've never seen that so that will be really good.- Right.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21By turning the house on its head and having the bedrooms downstairs
0:18:21 > 0:18:23and reception rooms and kitchen above,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Marianne and Jon are hoping to make the most
0:18:26 > 0:18:27of their incredible vantage point.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- It's going to be amazing.- I think it's going to be really good.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34You can definitely see the Channel really clearly, can't you?
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Yeah, which was the whole point for flipping it, wasn't it?
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- Yes. - To make sure you get that view.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42I'm in the kitchen.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45I've just made my morning coffee,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49or actually maybe I'd rather more think about
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- my evening glass of wine.- Yeah!
0:18:51 > 0:18:54You can come out of the glass doors here
0:18:54 > 0:18:58and I would have a little chair just where you're stood, Marianne,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01and this is the view I'd be considering.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- Yeah.- Just here, this side. - Yes. This is the terrace, isn't it?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- No, the terrace is beyond that. - Oh, yes.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10The terrace is actually from this steel to the next steel.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- Oh, yes. So what's here then? - This is part of this lounge space.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16- It's all part of that lounge. - Yes.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18It's very hard for me to totally visualise it, James,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21even having sat down and planned it and everything.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25It's very hard for me to sort of spatially see, but, yeah,
0:19:25 > 0:19:30I can get a real feel for it up here now, how big this area is.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34With £842,000 of Marianne and Jon's money invested in the build,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37she needs to get her head around the plans fast to make sure
0:19:37 > 0:19:39she gets exactly what she wants, especially
0:19:39 > 0:19:43since the builders are forging ahead in an effort to beat the elements.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Now time is of the essence, so we can get sealed in
0:19:45 > 0:19:48with the timber frame before the bad weather turns.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52The coming few weeks are crucial for Marianne and the build
0:19:52 > 0:19:56and she's only too aware that the buck stops with her.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58I'm getting very nervous, actually, now.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01When I go around, before I used to feel really excited,
0:20:01 > 0:20:06but now I'm feeling really nervous because now it's...
0:20:06 > 0:20:11Things I'm making decisions on now are things that I'm going to see
0:20:11 > 0:20:13and that I'm going to be living with,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16so it really is coming home to me now
0:20:16 > 0:20:19that I've got to try and get this right.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Back in Edinburgh,
0:20:28 > 0:20:30unexpected costs on their two-storey extension
0:20:30 > 0:20:34have stretched Mhairi and Peter's absolute maximum budget of £90,000
0:20:34 > 0:20:37and, with the project past the halfway mark,
0:20:37 > 0:20:41there is something else cramping the build for them.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44The one issue that we've had is the height of this dormer
0:20:44 > 0:20:47so we're hoping to get another six inches out of this.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50You know, when we're going to all this effort, it is frustrating
0:20:50 > 0:20:52when there's an issue here
0:20:52 > 0:20:56that it shouldn't really have been an issue, we don't think,
0:20:56 > 0:20:58because there is enough space there
0:20:58 > 0:21:01to make it that little bit extra higher.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Their architect, David, designed the roof the way he did
0:21:04 > 0:21:07in order to comply with planning regulations,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10but with his clients unhappy, he's heading back to site
0:21:10 > 0:21:13to take another look and see if he can find a solution
0:21:13 > 0:21:16to their problems that will please everybody.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18There is good reason for the way that it is.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23The client has had the information since we designed it.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26It's only become apparent in their heads
0:21:26 > 0:21:28that there's an issue here that needs to be solved,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31so, no, it's a challenge, it's something
0:21:31 > 0:21:34that we need to have a look at and we need to do our best to sort it out
0:21:34 > 0:21:38so the client gets what they actually want at the end of the day.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42This was drawn as being a sort of framed dormer.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44That's the way I've done it.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Right, so the same at the sides as it is at the top.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48Right, OK. Yeah.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- 150.- Yeah. Any improvement on the roofline would be something
0:21:52 > 0:21:54we ought to have a look at.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58But Steven the builder thinks it might be a very big job.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00It can slow the programme.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04I have ordered the windows, so we might have to adjust
0:22:04 > 0:22:11the size of them now, which could put a week or two onto it.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16This could be disastrous for a budget that's already at its limit.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21Nice cake...one of my client's special ones.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25But David has been working on a plan.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Rather than buying a whole new dormer, he's proposing
0:22:27 > 0:22:31they jack up the existing roof panel with additional timber framing.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35If Steven agrees it will work, it could just save the day.
0:22:35 > 0:22:36Leave the cheats,
0:22:36 > 0:22:40take the plywood off the outside, denail it
0:22:40 > 0:22:43and lift it up.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45What are we talking?
0:22:45 > 0:22:46A day's work for the pair of you?
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Half a day probably, if that.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Work starts straightaway.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56For David, coming up with solutions for client concerns
0:22:56 > 0:22:58is part and parcel of being an architect.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02I think quite often, clients don't fully understand
0:23:02 > 0:23:08the nature of the building industry and where there is flexibility
0:23:08 > 0:23:10and where there isn't flexibility.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11If they're concerned about something,
0:23:11 > 0:23:15and it's not quite as they want it, and they're spending lots of money
0:23:15 > 0:23:18on their house to get exactly what they want, then sometimes
0:23:18 > 0:23:22clients do become quite upset, but that's where we bring our expertise.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24An architect will bring their understanding
0:23:24 > 0:23:26of the building industry to it and say,
0:23:26 > 0:23:30"Look, there's no point getting upset about this. Let's see how we can sort this out."
0:23:31 > 0:23:36With the roof raised, the rest of the build can carry on as planned.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38It's a bit chilly.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Right, well, I'll get my thermal hard hat on and have a quick look.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Raising the roof of the dormer by 130mm has made
0:23:47 > 0:23:49quite a bit of difference actually.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53It just sort of feels much more generous.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56David's experience and quick action seems to have averted
0:23:56 > 0:23:59the looming crisis with his clients.
0:23:59 > 0:24:00Yeah, very happy with it.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Thankfully, he did come up with a good solution.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05I'm so glad we raised it though, because now it's sorted,
0:24:05 > 0:24:07otherwise every time I walked into the room
0:24:07 > 0:24:10I'd have been really unhappy with the way it was.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12We've been getting updates every couple of weeks
0:24:12 > 0:24:17from the architect, and the budget has gone over slightly thus far,
0:24:17 > 0:24:23but we knew about obviously the dormer raising - that was another £500.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26We're about £2,000 over at the moment from where we'd hoped.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30One week later and David is making an early-morning house call.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Depending on how they're paid, an architect can provide
0:24:33 > 0:24:36a number of services - from simply providing drawings, to choosing
0:24:36 > 0:24:40the contractors and suppliers, and regularly inspecting the site.
0:24:40 > 0:24:45The render, and obviously we're not going to be re-rendering
0:24:45 > 0:24:46the whole of your house.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49So take the original render right along to that...
0:24:49 > 0:24:51To the right-hand side of this here.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53That's fine for me, because then as well,
0:24:53 > 0:24:58- when you're coming down the street it all looks the same.- Yes.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Pete's spoken to him quite a lot by phone.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Erm, but to actually have him out on site,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05it's nice to be able to chat through things.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07I wondered about putting glass shelves
0:25:07 > 0:25:09or some cookery books on it or something.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11- I like it being open. - No, absolutely.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13I think it's important you're able to see through,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16- especially with keeping an eye on these little people.- Exactly.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19Quite happy. Happy client for once!
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Just six weeks later, after three and a half months living with brick
0:25:29 > 0:25:31dust, noise and disruption,
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Mhairi and Peter have finally moved into their newly modelled extension.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40By sticking to David's suggested plans and materials, and cleverly
0:25:40 > 0:25:43re-using the painted roof tiles they took down to build the extension,
0:25:43 > 0:25:47they've managed to bring the build in just a couple of thousand pounds
0:25:47 > 0:25:51over budget, despite raising the dormer and adding extra steels.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55Today, architect David is back to see the finished results.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- Peter, hi. - David. Hi, how are you doing?
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- Not too bad at all thanks. - Good. Come on in.- Cheers.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06Their old conservatory has been replaced with a stunning new room
0:26:06 > 0:26:07for the family to relax in.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10It gives a big difference, doesn't it?
0:26:10 > 0:26:12It's a massive difference, yes.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15The light that is coming in on a relatively dark day like today
0:26:15 > 0:26:17is quite a bit, isn't it?
0:26:17 > 0:26:20It's one of my favourite things, is just the light
0:26:20 > 0:26:23and the fact that it's coming from three or four different areas.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- Yeah.- There's another room, but we've never used it at all
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- since this has been done. - We're not in the lounge as much.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32And this is just so much nicer and brighter, and the downside
0:26:32 > 0:26:36of having all this done is the rest of the house now looks tired!
0:26:36 > 0:26:39The kitchen has taken on a new lease of life, with Mhairi
0:26:39 > 0:26:44particularly liking one feature left over from the old building.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46And I'm glad we've managed to keep my little space through
0:26:46 > 0:26:48- to the kitchen.- Well spotted!
0:26:48 > 0:26:51- If the wee ones are sitting here, you can say...- That's it exactly,
0:26:51 > 0:26:55so when I'm at the sink, I can shout through to them.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Is this where the gin and tonic gets passed through?
0:26:58 > 0:26:59- Yeah!- Is it?!
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Upstairs, the boys have swapped their old bedroom for this one,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07complete with en suite.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09What do you think of your rooms, guys?
0:27:09 > 0:27:11- Do you like your bedroom? - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13What do you like most about it?
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- I think the bathroom. - Oh, right, yes of course.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18You've got your own bathroom, haven't you?
0:27:18 > 0:27:20It was the biggest shower we could fit in there
0:27:20 > 0:27:23in the space we've got and the existing roof space.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27- Again it's just another quirky sort of design.- Yeah.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31I'm pleased that there are things about it which just lift it.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34The natural light is great, the spaces are great.
0:27:34 > 0:27:35The whole thing is a joint effort.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39It's about, you know, us doing what we do, it's about the builder
0:27:39 > 0:27:42doing what he does, and it's about the client wanting it all.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44And then coming along and making it look great at the end.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47By working closely with David, Mhairi and Peter have dealt quickly
0:27:47 > 0:27:49with any problems that have come up.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52They've brought it in almost on budget and most importantly,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56they've created the home of their dreams.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Before we got the building done I was quite keen on moving
0:27:59 > 0:28:03because the house just wasn't how I wanted it, but now I love it.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07I love the space. I think it's going to make a big difference
0:28:07 > 0:28:09to how we live as a family.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Next time on Building Dream Homes,
0:28:12 > 0:28:16an extension causes tension for a growing family...
0:28:16 > 0:28:19As you can understand, that wasn't what we agreed
0:28:19 > 0:28:20when we placed the order, so...
0:28:20 > 0:28:23But in Wales, Marianne is laying down the law...
0:28:23 > 0:28:27Well, speak to me in language I can understand then and tell me.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29I'm telling you what I want.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31You tell me what I need to achieve what I want.