Episode 10

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0:00:02 > 0:00:03Across the nation architects are building,

0:00:03 > 0:00:06designing and transforming the homes we live in.

0:00:06 > 0:00:08One day I'm going to live in a house like this

0:00:08 > 0:00:09and not just do it for others.

0:00:09 > 0:00:11We're following some of those leading the way

0:00:11 > 0:00:13in ground-breaking design.

0:00:13 > 0:00:15Their jaw would drop if they saw that.

0:00:15 > 0:00:17I can't believe it.

0:00:18 > 0:00:22We'll be with them every step of the way as they battle with

0:00:22 > 0:00:25builders, blueprints and the clients who hire them.

0:00:25 > 0:00:29You've got a very strange understanding of the word "today."

0:00:29 > 0:00:30Whoa, whoa, whoa!

0:00:32 > 0:00:33That's not good.

0:00:33 > 0:00:35- It's like working with the Chuckle Brothers.- Ho, ho, ho!

0:00:35 > 0:00:38We're with them as they draw on their seven years of training

0:00:38 > 0:00:39to solve everyday problems.

0:00:39 > 0:00:42Quick word in his ear, make sure there's no more mishaps.

0:00:42 > 0:00:46He's come in on an angle and ripped up the road

0:00:46 > 0:00:48but he's now ripped his exhaust pipe off.

0:00:48 > 0:00:50Oh, man!

0:00:52 > 0:00:54I've said many prayers.

0:00:54 > 0:00:56That's amazing!

0:00:56 > 0:00:58That's a pretty incredible difference, isn't it?

0:00:58 > 0:01:01The fixings alone cost £17,000.

0:01:04 > 0:01:08All in the name of making the properties we dream of a reality.

0:01:21 > 0:01:24Today in the New Forest, architect Wendy tackles a small

0:01:24 > 0:01:27but clever build that needs to be more than just a house

0:01:27 > 0:01:28to its new owner.

0:01:28 > 0:01:34As my health has deteriorated and as things have got more difficult

0:01:34 > 0:01:37with regards to space, imagining this has been

0:01:37 > 0:01:39what has kept us going.

0:01:41 > 0:01:44And in Dorset, architects Paul and Laurence's

0:01:44 > 0:01:47amazing factory-built house is nearly complete,

0:01:47 > 0:01:49but will they get it finished without a hitch?

0:01:49 > 0:01:52It's the sort of project that they're only going to do

0:01:52 > 0:01:55once in their lifetime, and I think Marcus really acknowledges this

0:01:55 > 0:01:56and he wants to get it spot on.

0:02:02 > 0:02:05Nestled in the wilds of the beautiful New Forest National Park,

0:02:05 > 0:02:07husband and wife Cheryl and Ciaran Maher

0:02:07 > 0:02:10have opened their home to bed and breakfast guests.

0:02:10 > 0:02:12So how was the golf yesterday?

0:02:12 > 0:02:14Yeah, not too bad, actually.

0:02:14 > 0:02:17With their two children, Alan and Kelly, both at university,

0:02:17 > 0:02:20it made perfect sense to use their old rooms for paying guests

0:02:20 > 0:02:22and when either of the children came home

0:02:22 > 0:02:25they could stay in this old gardener's cottage behind the house.

0:02:26 > 0:02:28But recently, due to health problems,

0:02:28 > 0:02:32Kelly's had to spend less time on her studies and more time at home

0:02:32 > 0:02:35than she'd like, throwing the family's new life into disarray.

0:02:36 > 0:02:39Kelly has been known to collapse up to 20 times a day.

0:02:39 > 0:02:43Any bit of exercise, extra work to do normal things

0:02:43 > 0:02:47like read a book, like to walk across the room,

0:02:47 > 0:02:49takes a lot more out of her

0:02:49 > 0:02:53and she is an absolute star. She never complains.

0:02:53 > 0:02:57She has always kept fighting to get better. It's beyond...

0:02:59 > 0:03:01I'll get upset.

0:03:01 > 0:03:03Kelly's been diagnosed with Chronic Lyme disease,

0:03:03 > 0:03:06an illness that causes, amongst other things, muscle pain,

0:03:06 > 0:03:09tiredness, and swelling of the joints.

0:03:09 > 0:03:11Last year was my third year.

0:03:11 > 0:03:14Unfortunately, it coincided with a deterioration in my health

0:03:14 > 0:03:19and I made the decision that it was... Now was the best time

0:03:19 > 0:03:23to take the time off to properly focus on getting better.

0:03:23 > 0:03:27The family are hoping that an intense but tough treatment

0:03:27 > 0:03:29in Brussels will help rid Kelly of the disease.

0:03:29 > 0:03:32When she returns, she'll need complete rest,

0:03:32 > 0:03:35so recuperating in a busy B&B is not an option.

0:03:35 > 0:03:38So her parents have decided to demolish the old gardener's cottage

0:03:38 > 0:03:42behind the house, and plan to build an amazing two-bed structure

0:03:42 > 0:03:45in its place - a haven for Kelly to recover in

0:03:45 > 0:03:48and her brother Alan to stay in when he comes home.

0:03:48 > 0:03:53Being involved with something like this has kept my mind off

0:03:53 > 0:03:57all those other things, and it's very exciting to think

0:03:57 > 0:04:01that around the same time as I'll have completed going through

0:04:01 > 0:04:07that tough treatment, this project will hopefully be ready to enjoy.

0:04:07 > 0:04:10They've chosen local, award-winning architect, Wendy Perring,

0:04:10 > 0:04:12to design their new house.

0:04:12 > 0:04:14She's well known for her beautiful and sympathetic designs

0:04:14 > 0:04:18and her ability to make the most of every inch of space in a build.

0:04:18 > 0:04:21And she'll need to use all of her imagination and talent

0:04:21 > 0:04:23to meet the brief for this project.

0:04:23 > 0:04:26The footprint for the new home is only 70m squared,

0:04:26 > 0:04:28but the Mahers want to squeeze in a lot.

0:04:28 > 0:04:31This is going to be a very compact little building

0:04:31 > 0:04:35but it has everything within it that a house would have.

0:04:35 > 0:04:38It's got two bedrooms, it's got a living space,

0:04:38 > 0:04:42it's got its own little garden space, and it's got...

0:04:42 > 0:04:46Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, but it will also, I think,

0:04:46 > 0:04:51have a degree of unusualness in that it does have a double-height space.

0:04:51 > 0:04:55Wood-burning stove, kitchenette so that they can make breakfast,

0:04:55 > 0:04:57so it's very, very self-contained,

0:04:57 > 0:05:00and I think will be quite an interesting little building.

0:05:01 > 0:05:04The Mahers have a budget of £100,000 to spend

0:05:04 > 0:05:08on their new space-saving house, including architect's fees,

0:05:08 > 0:05:11build costs, and fixtures and fittings.

0:05:11 > 0:05:13Ideally, they'd like it finished before

0:05:13 > 0:05:16their bed and breakfast business reaches its busy period

0:05:16 > 0:05:17in four months' time,

0:05:17 > 0:05:19and for Kelly's return from her treatment in Brussels.

0:05:20 > 0:05:24Overseeing the build is head contractor, Kevin Kilford.

0:05:24 > 0:05:27He's worked with Wendy before and is used to dealing

0:05:27 > 0:05:29with some of her more unusual requests.

0:05:29 > 0:05:32The main structure was the gable outbuilding

0:05:32 > 0:05:33of the gardener's cottage

0:05:33 > 0:05:37which we're trying to preserve the look of that at that moment,

0:05:37 > 0:05:38so that's all quite simple.

0:05:38 > 0:05:42But all the original gardener's cottage is going to be clad

0:05:42 > 0:05:44in corrugated cladding.

0:05:44 > 0:05:48And it's not a product we've worked with extensively before.

0:05:48 > 0:05:51By using materials that mirror the ones from the old gardener's cottage

0:05:51 > 0:05:53and only slightly increasing the footprint

0:05:53 > 0:05:55of the demolished building, Wendy ensures that the design

0:05:55 > 0:05:57gets through planning without a hitch.

0:05:57 > 0:06:01And with the plans approved, Kevin and his team spring into action.

0:06:01 > 0:06:04Their impressive woodworking skills mean that the bespoke wooden frame

0:06:04 > 0:06:06goes up in just five days.

0:06:07 > 0:06:11I'd love to be able to study with a desk area just here,

0:06:11 > 0:06:14and this would be the big window to let in the light in the summer.

0:06:14 > 0:06:15It would be beautiful.

0:06:17 > 0:06:19But it's December.

0:06:19 > 0:06:22Working with new materials and with winter here,

0:06:22 > 0:06:25Kevin's getting anxious about the four-month deadline he's been given.

0:06:25 > 0:06:28This is the corrugated sheeting that we're using

0:06:28 > 0:06:30for the cladding of the roof.

0:06:30 > 0:06:33The lead time I've just discovered is a bit long...

0:06:33 > 0:06:35Six weeks.

0:06:35 > 0:06:37Plus they shut down for Christmas,

0:06:37 > 0:06:39so it's going to be a bit tight for time.

0:06:41 > 0:06:43Kevin's fears are a big concern,

0:06:43 > 0:06:46especially as Cheryl and Kelly are about to depart to Brussels

0:06:46 > 0:06:49for Kelly's treatment and won't be around to supervise.

0:06:49 > 0:06:52Architect Wendy has come to say her goodbyes.

0:06:52 > 0:06:54- Bye-bye.- Good luck.

0:06:54 > 0:06:57- Thank you. Thanks for everything. - I'll be thinking of you.

0:06:57 > 0:07:00I know, and help John out, will you?

0:07:00 > 0:07:03Thanks very much. It's exciting now.

0:07:03 > 0:07:04- It is.- I'm feeling good now.- Yeah.

0:07:04 > 0:07:08I'm feeling emotional. I know. I'm sorry.

0:07:08 > 0:07:11I'm feeling quite emotional that we've got to this stage.

0:07:11 > 0:07:15Well, there will be something great for you to come back to look at.

0:07:16 > 0:07:19With mother and daughter gone, it's up to Ciaran and Wendy

0:07:19 > 0:07:21to hold the fort and things don't go to plan.

0:07:21 > 0:07:24It's thousands of pounds worth of damage.

0:07:29 > 0:07:31In Dorset, Marcus Grazziano and his family

0:07:31 > 0:07:34have been working on a huge house building project.

0:07:34 > 0:07:36They've demolished their old 1930s bungalow

0:07:36 > 0:07:38and are putting a four bedroom

0:07:38 > 0:07:41contemporary factory-built kit house in its place.

0:07:43 > 0:07:46With a budget of £600,000,

0:07:46 > 0:07:49they hired architects Paul Robinson and Laurence Bowen to design it.

0:07:51 > 0:07:52The foundations have gone in.

0:07:52 > 0:07:55The house was built over 500 miles away in Germany,

0:07:55 > 0:07:58brought to site,

0:07:58 > 0:08:00and put up in just six days.

0:08:03 > 0:08:05The project may be nearing completion,

0:08:05 > 0:08:08but there are still some major finishing touches

0:08:08 > 0:08:11before the Grazziano family can move out of their rented accommodation

0:08:11 > 0:08:13and into their new home.

0:08:13 > 0:08:14After a speedy start,

0:08:14 > 0:08:18client Marcus has seen his schedule slowly slipping.

0:08:18 > 0:08:20Obviously at the beginning of the year

0:08:20 > 0:08:22we got held up with the bad weather,

0:08:22 > 0:08:24and also when we placed our order for the frame

0:08:24 > 0:08:27it was coming closer to Christmas,

0:08:27 > 0:08:31and the glazing factory who supplies all the windows into the frame,

0:08:31 > 0:08:34they went on holiday for three weeks over Christmas.

0:08:34 > 0:08:38And then that's been compounded by the worst weather in 250 years

0:08:38 > 0:08:40or something like that.

0:08:42 > 0:08:46But still, against that, we wanted to do it in six months.

0:08:46 > 0:08:48We'll do it in eight months.

0:08:49 > 0:08:51Today is a big day on site.

0:08:51 > 0:08:54The three massive 360kg bespoke glass doors

0:08:54 > 0:08:57architect Paul imagined and designed on his computer

0:08:57 > 0:09:01all those months ago are about to be installed.

0:09:01 > 0:09:04Big ticket item arriving to site today.

0:09:04 > 0:09:11£20,000 these doors cost, so, yeah, they'd better fit.

0:09:11 > 0:09:13We've only got 2mm tolerance,

0:09:13 > 0:09:17so later on today there could to be some people crying.

0:09:17 > 0:09:19If, for some reason, something is slightly out,

0:09:19 > 0:09:22we've got nothing to play with.

0:09:22 > 0:09:232mm, that's it.

0:09:30 > 0:09:31Using a hoist,

0:09:31 > 0:09:34the first sheet of glass is very carefully lifted off the lorry.

0:09:37 > 0:09:40With a combined value of £20,000,

0:09:40 > 0:09:45the three panes of glass have to be handled with extreme care.

0:09:45 > 0:09:46You only have to just catch the corner,

0:09:46 > 0:09:49for something that is as strong as that, you know,

0:09:49 > 0:09:50you can hit it with a lump hammer.

0:09:50 > 0:09:52but you only have to catch it wrong and poof, it's gone.

0:09:52 > 0:09:55It'll take two months to replace it.

0:09:58 > 0:10:00This is going to be the interesting bit here.

0:10:00 > 0:10:03They're going to have to put it down on there and then we'll see

0:10:03 > 0:10:05if they're strong enough chaps to move it.

0:10:05 > 0:10:08Getting the door into place cannot be rushed.

0:10:08 > 0:10:10Whoa, whoa!

0:10:13 > 0:10:15He's good, He's good. Pull.

0:10:20 > 0:10:22I probably didn't realise when I drew this

0:10:22 > 0:10:23how much of a challenge it would be.

0:10:23 > 0:10:26It's definitely the biggest doors we've put in on a project.

0:10:32 > 0:10:34It looks like the first one is in.

0:10:34 > 0:10:35It's sliding OK.

0:10:39 > 0:10:42Right on the end. Push it on.

0:10:42 > 0:10:44Worth...worth the hard work.

0:10:44 > 0:10:46Look at that. It's awesome.

0:10:49 > 0:10:53The next pane is given as much care and attention as the first.

0:10:53 > 0:10:55For Paul and Barry, it's a chance to see first-hand

0:10:55 > 0:10:57the results of months of hard work.

0:10:57 > 0:11:00Imagine the weight. You've got how many people lifting it?

0:11:00 > 0:11:04To think I can move it with just one arm...

0:11:04 > 0:11:05is pretty impressive.

0:11:06 > 0:11:07I'm more than happy.

0:11:16 > 0:11:18Award winning architect, Wendy Perring,

0:11:18 > 0:11:20has worked in the New Forest for the past eight years

0:11:20 > 0:11:23designing both unique and sustainable buildings

0:11:23 > 0:11:26as well as restoring and renovating the more traditional.

0:11:27 > 0:11:31Today, she's off to see a new project - an old water tower.

0:11:31 > 0:11:33This project has really grabbed me

0:11:33 > 0:11:36because it is something... The building is very quirky.

0:11:36 > 0:11:41I love dealing with extremely unusual and challenging situations.

0:11:48 > 0:11:49Built in the 1930s,

0:11:49 > 0:11:52the water tower would have been used to house the water tank

0:11:52 > 0:11:55and supply the pressure needed to get water to the main house.

0:11:55 > 0:11:57It was converted by its previous owners.

0:11:59 > 0:12:01It's just beautiful.

0:12:01 > 0:12:03It's very imposing

0:12:03 > 0:12:06but it's...the most lovely thing is its courtyard setting.

0:12:07 > 0:12:13It's incredibly romantic as a building and just very detailed.

0:12:13 > 0:12:15Very exciting, indeed. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

0:12:17 > 0:12:20Sheryl bought the cottage and adjoining water tower

0:12:20 > 0:12:21five years ago.

0:12:21 > 0:12:24The family have stamped their mark on the main house and garden,

0:12:24 > 0:12:27but up until now the water tower has remained untouched.

0:12:31 > 0:12:34Oh, just beautiful.

0:12:36 > 0:12:38It currently has a bedroom on the first floor,

0:12:38 > 0:12:41a living room on the second, and a bathroom at the top.

0:12:41 > 0:12:43But it'll need a lot of work to bring it up to the standard

0:12:43 > 0:12:45of the rest of the house.

0:12:45 > 0:12:47It's incredibly cold.

0:12:48 > 0:12:49It's cold.

0:12:49 > 0:12:51As you can see it gets a little bit damp.

0:12:51 > 0:12:54There's even mushrooms growing on some of the window sills

0:12:54 > 0:12:56where there's a little bit of leakage.

0:12:56 > 0:12:58Right. When do you use this?

0:12:58 > 0:13:02Occasionally in the summer but really hardly at all.

0:13:02 > 0:13:03- What a shame.- I know.

0:13:03 > 0:13:06I'd love to be able to have people to stay and say,

0:13:06 > 0:13:09"Oh, you're staying in the tower?" Cos people find that novel.

0:13:09 > 0:13:13It's kind of got a bit of a novelty factor to it

0:13:13 > 0:13:17and I'd like to be able to sit up there and have some peaceful time.

0:13:17 > 0:13:20But Wendy can already see the potential.

0:13:20 > 0:13:23I think the lighting is having a really big effect,

0:13:23 > 0:13:24actually, in this staircase.

0:13:24 > 0:13:26Yeah. I mean when you rub that...

0:13:26 > 0:13:27The shape of this is beautiful.

0:13:27 > 0:13:30Even just handling, you know, that's lovely.

0:13:30 > 0:13:31It is.

0:13:31 > 0:13:34You know, I love that and you've got cracks and things in it,

0:13:34 > 0:13:36so that type of thing is great.

0:13:38 > 0:13:40Fabulous. Look at that.

0:13:40 > 0:13:42That is amazing.

0:13:42 > 0:13:44The tree...

0:13:44 > 0:13:47just beautiful, isn't it?

0:13:47 > 0:13:48It's just fantastic.

0:13:48 > 0:13:52Sheryl hopes to spend no more than £40,000 transforming

0:13:52 > 0:13:55the water tower into a unique addition to her home.

0:13:55 > 0:13:56Oh, I love it.

0:13:56 > 0:13:58It's absolutely fantastic.

0:13:58 > 0:14:03It's just... It's one of those projects that you, as an architect...

0:14:03 > 0:14:06I think you dream of and you're absolutely dying

0:14:06 > 0:14:10to get your hands on. So I think we'll have lots of fun here.

0:14:10 > 0:14:12I'm really excited about it.

0:14:21 > 0:14:23At Wendy's current project in the New Forest,

0:14:23 > 0:14:27the build of Cheryl and Ciaran's new house has been moving on apace.

0:14:27 > 0:14:31The plan is to create a small haven for their two grown-up children,

0:14:31 > 0:14:34Kelly and Alan, to stay in, and a place for Kelly to recover

0:14:34 > 0:14:37from her intense course of treatment.

0:14:37 > 0:14:41Architect Wendy's drawn inspiration from the original iron roof,

0:14:41 > 0:14:43making the bold decision to clad part of the house

0:14:43 > 0:14:46in a material more commonly seen on agricultural buildings.

0:14:48 > 0:14:51What we have is a modern day equivalent of the corrugated tin.

0:14:51 > 0:14:53It's not built of tin.

0:14:53 > 0:14:57It's built of a fibrous cement board,

0:14:57 > 0:14:58so it's a good material to use

0:14:58 > 0:15:01but not normally used in a domestic setting.

0:15:01 > 0:15:04Builder Kevin's not so sure...

0:15:04 > 0:15:07This is designed for agricultural buildings at the end of the day.

0:15:07 > 0:15:11And any pitch, it's usually used for massive, massive, massive barns...

0:15:11 > 0:15:15Hay barns, or machinery barns and stuff, so it's a bit utilitarian,

0:15:15 > 0:15:19really, but it's the look that, you know, Wendy is trying to get.

0:15:19 > 0:15:21The cladding will be topped by a matching ridge.

0:15:21 > 0:15:25The sections have just arrived on site and Kevin's having doubts.

0:15:25 > 0:15:30These ridges are preformed and they suit any angle on the ridge,

0:15:30 > 0:15:34but they just look quite bulky, and I just wanted to get Wendy

0:15:34 > 0:15:37to sort of say they're OK, really.

0:15:37 > 0:15:39Cos when they're actually held up on them

0:15:39 > 0:15:41they do kick up quite a bit higher.

0:15:41 > 0:15:43- Hey, Wendy, how you doing? - Good, you?

0:15:43 > 0:15:46The ridges are a key part of the look of the exterior.

0:15:46 > 0:15:49The ridges are being held for your viewing pleasure.

0:15:49 > 0:15:51And if they don't meet Wendy's vision,

0:15:51 > 0:15:55then she might have to rethink her use of this unorthodox material.

0:15:55 > 0:15:57And what's the return policy on it?

0:15:58 > 0:16:00I'm not saying no, I'm just bringing it up for discussion.

0:16:00 > 0:16:03- No, because it's a special order painted...- Yeah.

0:16:03 > 0:16:06Actually, when you stand back and look at it and you see the...

0:16:06 > 0:16:07I think this helps, doesn't it?

0:16:07 > 0:16:10- If it was just that section which is just a short section.- Yeah.

0:16:10 > 0:16:13I think once it's all clad and you see it as a complete entity,

0:16:13 > 0:16:15I think it will be fine.

0:16:15 > 0:16:16Yeah, thanks, guys.

0:16:16 > 0:16:21With the build nearing completion, it's reached a critical stage.

0:16:21 > 0:16:23To bring as much light into the house as possible,

0:16:23 > 0:16:28Wendy's ordered large and expensive bespoke glass doors and windows.

0:16:28 > 0:16:31It's taken nine weeks for them to be built

0:16:31 > 0:16:34and today they're finally being delivered.

0:16:34 > 0:16:36All the builders have to do is make sure

0:16:36 > 0:16:39they get from the bottom of the garden to site.

0:16:39 > 0:16:43Each door costs £6,000 and is over 7ft tall,

0:16:43 > 0:16:45and so needs to be handled with care.

0:16:50 > 0:16:54Client Ciaran has just been given some devastating news.

0:16:54 > 0:16:55There's some damage to the doors.

0:16:55 > 0:16:58The way the actual pallet was stacked was the four doors

0:16:58 > 0:17:02were sitting on top of each other and as one came off

0:17:02 > 0:17:04it just cascaded down, hit the ground,

0:17:04 > 0:17:06and two of the four have been damaged.

0:17:06 > 0:17:09The damage is potentially disastrous.

0:17:09 > 0:17:11Just what you needed at the moment(!)

0:17:11 > 0:17:14Architect Wendy is equally distraught.

0:17:14 > 0:17:18I think it's a case of having to get them re-made

0:17:18 > 0:17:23and waiting another ten weeks for them to arrive.

0:17:23 > 0:17:26Without the windows, the building can't be made watertight,

0:17:26 > 0:17:28putting a halt to progress.

0:17:28 > 0:17:31The B&B is starting to get busy, and daughter Kelly

0:17:31 > 0:17:35will soon be back from Brussels and needs the house to be ready.

0:17:35 > 0:17:39Under pressure, Kevin comes up with a stop gap solution.

0:17:39 > 0:17:43The external leaf is all fine, seals are fine, glass is fine,

0:17:43 > 0:17:44everything else is fine.

0:17:44 > 0:17:47It's just this timber split here so we're going to look at doing

0:17:47 > 0:17:50a minor repair for now.

0:17:50 > 0:17:52Fix the frame in for security

0:17:52 > 0:17:55because whatever we do isn't going to happen overnight,

0:17:55 > 0:17:56so we need to press on.

0:17:56 > 0:17:59It's the only bit that will be left but at least it's secure and dry

0:17:59 > 0:18:02so we can carry on with the second fix, and finishing off

0:18:02 > 0:18:05and fitting out the bathrooms, and all the expensive items can come in.

0:18:09 > 0:18:12Wendy has come to site to meet Cheryl...

0:18:12 > 0:18:13Hello.

0:18:13 > 0:18:15..who's on a rare visit home from Belgium

0:18:15 > 0:18:17where Kelly is receiving her specialist treatment.

0:18:17 > 0:18:20- How are you keeping?- I'm fine. How are you?

0:18:20 > 0:18:22Great, yeah. Good. Coffee?

0:18:22 > 0:18:24It's a chance for Wendy to catch up with her client

0:18:24 > 0:18:25about how things are going.

0:18:25 > 0:18:28Is your head so much in Kelly's treatment or do you feel

0:18:28 > 0:18:31you have enough head space to be able to make decisions

0:18:31 > 0:18:33about what's going on?

0:18:33 > 0:18:35Well, it's a mix of the medical treatment on one hand,

0:18:35 > 0:18:38but keeping life a little bit sane on the other side

0:18:38 > 0:18:39because this is the future.

0:18:39 > 0:18:42The future is Kelly being better.

0:18:42 > 0:18:45The future is this building and moving forward.

0:18:45 > 0:18:47That's actually quite nice, isn't it?

0:18:47 > 0:18:51To have a focus on something that's other than on Kelly's treatment.

0:18:51 > 0:18:55- It's keeping us all sane. It's keeping us all going.- Yeah.

0:18:57 > 0:19:00Whilst Wendy is here, she's keen to check on progress.

0:19:00 > 0:19:01Oh, look at this.

0:19:03 > 0:19:04Yes. Do you like the floor?

0:19:04 > 0:19:07I do. Yeah, I do.

0:19:07 > 0:19:08- Oh, wow!- Good?

0:19:08 > 0:19:11Wow. It's a little man cave.

0:19:11 > 0:19:13You've got a transition zone here.

0:19:13 > 0:19:16Sorry, excuse me.

0:19:16 > 0:19:18That's wonderful!

0:19:18 > 0:19:21Mother and daughter are heading back to Belgium in a couple of days

0:19:21 > 0:19:23to complete Kelly's treatment.

0:19:23 > 0:19:25Knowing the house will be waiting for them on their return

0:19:25 > 0:19:28has always been a real motivator for Kelly.

0:19:28 > 0:19:33It's very exciting to think that they're both on the same time frame,

0:19:33 > 0:19:37and it has definitely been something to keep me positive.

0:19:41 > 0:19:44Two months later, the damaged doors are still not replaced

0:19:44 > 0:19:47but the rest of the work is finally complete.

0:19:47 > 0:19:52The old building was a draughty shed with little use or function.

0:19:52 > 0:19:54It's now a cool, contemporary building.

0:19:54 > 0:19:57Wendy has come round to see the finished cottage

0:19:57 > 0:20:00she designed for brother and sister Kelly and Alan.

0:20:00 > 0:20:03Thank you very much. Oh, look at these coat hooks.

0:20:05 > 0:20:08Wow. It looks fabulous.

0:20:08 > 0:20:10Oh, my goodness!

0:20:12 > 0:20:15Wendy's challenge was always to make the most

0:20:15 > 0:20:18of the tiny 70m squared space she had available,

0:20:18 > 0:20:20and by using clever features like sliding doors,

0:20:20 > 0:20:24stunning mezzanine sleeping areas with access out onto the roof

0:20:24 > 0:20:25and Kelly's bold colours,

0:20:25 > 0:20:29the new building feels spacious enough to be a proper home.

0:20:29 > 0:20:32Oh, it's fabulous. Gosh, Kelly must be delighted.

0:20:32 > 0:20:34It's absolutely... It's perfect.

0:20:34 > 0:20:36It feels really big.

0:20:36 > 0:20:39That's what I can't believe with all the rooms.

0:20:39 > 0:20:41All along we've known it's a small building,

0:20:41 > 0:20:43but when you come in, it's just...

0:20:43 > 0:20:45It doesn't feel small at all.

0:20:45 > 0:20:49There's a bed, a wardrobe...

0:20:49 > 0:20:53there's a desk, and there's still room, you know, one day for her

0:20:53 > 0:20:55to spread out her yoga mat.

0:20:55 > 0:20:56Well, that's... Cos she loves yoga.

0:20:56 > 0:21:00The room is a triumph and exactly as Kelly imagined it would be.

0:21:01 > 0:21:06I'd love to be able to study with a desk area just here

0:21:06 > 0:21:09and this would be the big window to let in the light

0:21:09 > 0:21:10so in the summer it would be beautiful.

0:21:13 > 0:21:16- Here the beauty of this is that she can look out over the garden.- Yeah.

0:21:18 > 0:21:20- Well, I hope you like it.- I do.

0:21:20 > 0:21:22Cos I love it.

0:21:22 > 0:21:26It's just great. Yeah, everything I'd hoped for.

0:21:26 > 0:21:29More than what I'd hoped for. Thank you very, very much.

0:21:29 > 0:21:30- Really, thank you.- You're welcome.

0:21:32 > 0:21:36What we've managed to achieve in a very small space is fantastic.

0:21:36 > 0:21:39It feels really...it feels like a much larger building

0:21:39 > 0:21:40than it looks like on the outside.

0:21:40 > 0:21:45It feels quite quirky and therefore it suits them as a family.

0:21:45 > 0:21:47It suits their characters, so...

0:21:47 > 0:21:50And I think most importantly they seem to be happy.

0:21:50 > 0:21:52Kelly is back from treatment.

0:21:52 > 0:21:55She's not yet able to move in but has had a lot of input

0:21:55 > 0:21:57into how her new room looks.

0:21:57 > 0:22:00As mum Cheryl knows, having the cottage to look forward to

0:22:00 > 0:22:04has been, and will continue to be, an important part of Kelly's recovery.

0:22:04 > 0:22:06That room is totally and utterly vital.

0:22:06 > 0:22:09Her sanctuary... it's where she's going to start

0:22:09 > 0:22:10to bring her life back again.

0:22:10 > 0:22:13And hopefully, as she starts getting well enough

0:22:13 > 0:22:14to read a bit more again,

0:22:14 > 0:22:17life will start taking off and she will start seeing light

0:22:17 > 0:22:20- at the end of the tunnel, won't she? - Yeah.

0:22:27 > 0:22:29In Dorset, Marcus Grazziano and his family

0:22:29 > 0:22:31are into the final stage of building

0:22:31 > 0:22:34before they can move into their incredible factory built,

0:22:34 > 0:22:37two-storey, £600,000 house.

0:22:37 > 0:22:39Over its six month schedule,

0:22:39 > 0:22:41the project has delivered drama after drama

0:22:41 > 0:22:44for architects Paul and Laurence and head contractor Barry Bacon.

0:22:46 > 0:22:50From extreme weather jeopardising the work...

0:22:50 > 0:22:52We're going to call the pour off now.

0:22:52 > 0:22:54It's causing too much damage.

0:22:55 > 0:22:59A visit to the factory in Germany that went with a bang...

0:22:59 > 0:23:00That's not good.

0:23:00 > 0:23:03..to the impressive spectacle of an entire house

0:23:03 > 0:23:05being erected in a blistering six days.

0:23:06 > 0:23:10The schedule for the build is running nearly two months behind,

0:23:10 > 0:23:11but it's very nearly finished.

0:23:11 > 0:23:15Paul and Laurence are back to meet contractor Barry and owner Marcus.

0:23:15 > 0:23:18- It's looking good.- Yeah. That's changed loads since we last saw it.

0:23:18 > 0:23:21Yeah. I'm quite amazed, actually, how far they've come.

0:23:22 > 0:23:26Eight months ago, a dilapidated 1930s bungalow stood in this spot.

0:23:26 > 0:23:30Now, it's a stunning contemporary piece of architecture.

0:23:30 > 0:23:32The treated Siberian larch cladding

0:23:32 > 0:23:36and local Purbeck stone beneath soften this super modern exterior

0:23:36 > 0:23:40and help to tie it back into the surrounding countryside.

0:23:40 > 0:23:42The huge £20,000 glass doors at the front

0:23:42 > 0:23:45make the most of the spectacular views.

0:23:45 > 0:23:48- How are you doing?- Good to see you.

0:23:48 > 0:23:50- How are you doing, mate? - How are you doing?

0:23:50 > 0:23:52- Are you all right?- Yeah. - Looking good, eh?

0:23:52 > 0:23:54It looks fantastic.

0:23:54 > 0:23:56Work to the exterior dry stone walls

0:23:56 > 0:23:58is still a few weeks away from completion.

0:23:58 > 0:24:00I hadn't really taken on board the fact

0:24:00 > 0:24:02that they have to dress every stone.

0:24:02 > 0:24:04You kind of assume that you could pick some stone up

0:24:04 > 0:24:08and be able to use it but they are going to the last person on site.

0:24:08 > 0:24:11I think that's nice that the contrast of the build to go from, you know,

0:24:11 > 0:24:13a kind of hi tech factory in Germany,

0:24:13 > 0:24:15in terms of the basic system that's been put up,

0:24:15 > 0:24:18and then you've just got this real kind of craftsmanship

0:24:18 > 0:24:19with the finishes.

0:24:19 > 0:24:21It's been quite a journey for Marcus.

0:24:21 > 0:24:24Just the reality of standing here now is, um...

0:24:24 > 0:24:26It kind of leaves you a little bit numb.

0:24:28 > 0:24:30Is that just because of how much it's cost?!

0:24:32 > 0:24:35But there are some people who know exactly how they feel about it.

0:24:36 > 0:24:40I think it looks cool because it's got stairs

0:24:40 > 0:24:42and it's got a laundry chute.

0:24:42 > 0:24:46Inside, the house is starting to take shape.

0:24:46 > 0:24:48The four bedrooms are split across the two floors

0:24:48 > 0:24:52with the whole house designed to make the most of the natural light

0:24:52 > 0:24:54and views from the moment you walk in.

0:24:54 > 0:24:56There's a massive impact when you come in

0:24:56 > 0:24:57because you see through there,

0:24:57 > 0:24:59you've got this big opening,

0:24:59 > 0:25:00you can see the kind of voided area going up

0:25:00 > 0:25:03but you've got a big fenced off height up there.

0:25:03 > 0:25:04- Yeah, it's a nice volume of space. - Yeah.

0:25:04 > 0:25:07What's nice is when you approach the house from the front...

0:25:07 > 0:25:09- You can't see it. - You can't see that, yeah.

0:25:09 > 0:25:11Yeah, I think that's what...

0:25:11 > 0:25:13So you do get this kind of...

0:25:13 > 0:25:16This kind of awe that the massing of the building in front of you,

0:25:16 > 0:25:18you can't see what's behind it.

0:25:18 > 0:25:21It's like the private view when you get this bang,

0:25:21 > 0:25:22it's a big kind of vista.

0:25:22 > 0:25:24It's one of the old kind of cliches,

0:25:24 > 0:25:26but everyone says you want to bring the outside in,

0:25:26 > 0:25:27but it does, actually.

0:25:27 > 0:25:30When you stand here now and you look out, it does do that.

0:25:32 > 0:25:36Just as Paul imagined in his original computer-generated plans,

0:25:36 > 0:25:38there'll be a lounge on the first floor

0:25:38 > 0:25:41to make the most of the fantastic vistas

0:25:41 > 0:25:43and a large kitchen/dining room below.

0:25:44 > 0:25:47Amazed... When I first walked in and saw this,

0:25:47 > 0:25:49I was like, "Oh, my God."

0:25:49 > 0:25:51You know, you kind of just stand and stare.

0:25:55 > 0:25:59The lounge above gives the family another area to relax.

0:25:59 > 0:26:00This is the view, isn't it?

0:26:00 > 0:26:03They're both awesome.

0:26:03 > 0:26:05The view from downstairs and from up here.

0:26:05 > 0:26:07It just seems nice that you've got the options

0:26:07 > 0:26:09of different types of spaces

0:26:09 > 0:26:14depending on what you guys are doing as a family, I think.

0:26:14 > 0:26:17This house was fabricated on a factory line in Germany,

0:26:17 > 0:26:20and yet it has delivered everything Paul and Laurence imagined

0:26:20 > 0:26:22when they first designed it.

0:26:22 > 0:26:25I think the other thing that's nice which is, you know,

0:26:25 > 0:26:26we're starting to do now,

0:26:26 > 0:26:30is that there's this sort of misconception that timber frame,

0:26:30 > 0:26:33you know, people think that it's a kit system.

0:26:33 > 0:26:36So it's kit parts and you can only get a certain house.

0:26:36 > 0:26:39- You either get style A, B, or C. - Yeah.

0:26:39 > 0:26:43But you can still use it as a process to create a piece of architecture

0:26:43 > 0:26:46which is bespoke to what you guys wanted.

0:26:50 > 0:26:52The building has been a battle

0:26:52 > 0:26:54against planners, time, and the elements,

0:26:54 > 0:26:58but for Laurence, it's a worthy addition to the Dorset countryside.

0:27:00 > 0:27:04Seeing it today, I think one of the big successes is that

0:27:04 > 0:27:09it's a contemporary piece of architecture within a rural setting.

0:27:09 > 0:27:14I think it's nice to kind of demonstrate that you can do something

0:27:14 > 0:27:19that is progressive and doesn't have to hark back

0:27:19 > 0:27:22to the kind of twee cottage, if you like,

0:27:22 > 0:27:25or the kind of traditional barn.

0:27:25 > 0:27:28And I think, you know, seeing it within its setting today,

0:27:28 > 0:27:30I think that's really worked.

0:27:30 > 0:27:34And for Marcus, it's finally given him the family home

0:27:34 > 0:27:35he's been dreaming of.

0:27:35 > 0:27:37It's exceeded what I thought it was going to be.

0:27:37 > 0:27:39I couldn't actually see... I could see this bit.

0:27:39 > 0:27:41I didn't know what was going to go on outside

0:27:41 > 0:27:44and therefore how that was going to look.

0:27:44 > 0:27:47But seeing it now, it's by far exceeded my expectations.

0:27:47 > 0:27:49It's brilliant. I'm really pleased.

0:27:53 > 0:27:54Next time...

0:27:54 > 0:27:57In Scotland, architect Bobby battles to build

0:27:57 > 0:27:59not one, but ten houses.

0:28:00 > 0:28:03They have to move in. Failure is no option.

0:28:03 > 0:28:06But a visit from the building inspector threatens to derail

0:28:06 > 0:28:08his efforts at the last hurdle.

0:28:08 > 0:28:09If I can't get it done tomorrow,

0:28:09 > 0:28:12the house won't get a completion certificate.

0:28:12 > 0:28:15We can't issue the completion certificate until that is done.

0:28:15 > 0:28:19And in Wales, architect Dan is designing a £1,000,000 family home.

0:28:19 > 0:28:24If I look at this house and I'm looking at the quality of the finish,

0:28:24 > 0:28:26I'm always going to demand perfection.

0:28:26 > 0:28:29But he and his client don't see eye to eye.

0:28:29 > 0:28:31Dan has his view and I have mine and they don't meet.