0:00:02 > 0:00:06Across the nation, architects are building, designing and transforming the homes we live in.
0:00:06 > 0:00:07One day, I'm going to live in a house like this
0:00:07 > 0:00:09and not just do it for others.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10We're following some of those
0:00:10 > 0:00:13leading the way in groundbreaking design.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Their jaw would drop if they saw that.
0:00:16 > 0:00:17I can't believe it.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22We'll be with them every step of the way as they battle with
0:00:22 > 0:00:25builders, blue prints 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 > 0:00:31Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:00:31 > 0:00:32That's not good.
0:00:32 > 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 > 0:00:45He's come in on an angle and ripped up the road,
0:00:45 > 0:00:49but he's now ripped his exhaust pipe off.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Oh, man!
0:00:53 > 0:00:54I've said many prayers.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56That's amazing.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59That's a pretty incredible difference, isn't it?
0:00:59 > 0:01:01The fixings alone cost 17 grand.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08..all in the name of making the properties we dream of a reality.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Today, architect Bobby Halliday faces challenging deadlines
0:01:25 > 0:01:29and last minute crises as he juggles ten bespoke houses that
0:01:29 > 0:01:31all need to finish on time.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Yesterday, this was built, it was looking fantastic.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36HAMMERING
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Unfortunately, there was an issue.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42And architect David has to step in when an Edwardian townhouse
0:01:42 > 0:01:46extension in Edinburgh threatens to overwhelm a young family.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51I'm absolutely terrified of living in this house for the next six months.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57The house-building industry is back in business,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00growing at its fastest rate in more than a decade.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03In Stirlingshire, local architect Bobby Halliday
0:02:03 > 0:02:08forged his reputation on bespoke new builds and ambitious extensions.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12I want to put something cool in here, something snazzy.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14His latest project is a much bigger beast.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18He's converting an old farm steading into ten new homes.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23The project here is to renovate where possible,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27but, in actual fact, all of the steading has had to be demolished.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33Three years ago, he spotted the potential of this old farm steading.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37You can see Stirling Castle in the background on the eastern
0:02:37 > 0:02:40side of the steading, you can see the Wallace Monument,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42so it's a really nice location.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Bobby drew up plans, convinced an investor to come on board,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50and 12 months ago the build started.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53The houses are at different stages, meaning Bobby is dealing with
0:02:53 > 0:02:54deadlines...
0:02:54 > 0:02:57They have to move in. Failure is no option.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59..disasters...
0:02:59 > 0:03:01If I can't get it done tomorrow,
0:03:01 > 0:03:03the house won't get a completion certificate.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06We can't issue the completion until that is done.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08..and the new home owners wanting to move in.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- Excellent. Thank you, Bobby. - You're welcome.- That's great.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16This development is hugely ambitious, with a large farmhouse
0:03:16 > 0:03:21and nine smaller units, each with a unique layout and demanding owner.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Bobby is involved at every step of the way as architect
0:03:24 > 0:03:25and project manager.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28The budget for the construction is £2 million.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31That's in addition to the £400,000 cost of the plot.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Once finished, the properties will sell for between £165,000
0:03:35 > 0:03:37and £600,000.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40They've set themselves a target of just 18 months to get all
0:03:40 > 0:03:44houses built and hopefully turn around a £500,000 profit.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49So the programme really is to get these houses,
0:03:49 > 0:03:54get the purchasers in really every three weeks.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58As architect, Bobby likes to find a buyer for his houses as early
0:03:58 > 0:04:00into the build as possible
0:04:00 > 0:04:04so that he can design the property around his client's needs and wants.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06And that's exactly what he's doing for Brendan Emery
0:04:06 > 0:04:10and his Indonesian wife Rosella, proud new owners of Plot 6.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14We're at Stirling Castle which is the best view
0:04:14 > 0:04:17for my new building, which is just fantastic.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19It's putting the roots down, really.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21This is where we want to build a family home for me
0:04:21 > 0:04:25and my wife and any future new family that come along,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29and we couldn't have got a better location if we tried.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34Brendan met his wife Rosella whilst they were working for the same pharmaceutical company in Indonesia.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Romance blossomed and they were married last June.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40She's now living here full-time
0:04:40 > 0:04:44and she's taking her time to settle in, but she's getting used
0:04:44 > 0:04:48to the climate - coming from tropical Indonesia to very chilly Scotland
0:04:48 > 0:04:52is quite a culture shock, never mind the language or the accent,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55but, yeah, she's really looking forward to living here as well.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59I think she's really looking forward to getting into a new house
0:04:59 > 0:05:01and putting her mark on it.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04After coming over to see the empty plot of land, Rosella has had
0:05:04 > 0:05:08to go back to Indonesia to work out her contract and organise her visa
0:05:08 > 0:05:11and won't be back for the first six months of the build, leaving Brendan
0:05:11 > 0:05:15and Bobby with the responsibility of creating the perfect marital home.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Currently looking at the plans for Brendan and Rosella's house,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22one requirement of Brendan's was that he needed a study
0:05:22 > 0:05:25so we've given him a nice small study and we've still managed
0:05:25 > 0:05:30to give them three double bedrooms with a main bathroom and an en-suite.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31It looks great.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36So far, Brendan and Rosella's house is still in the structural
0:05:36 > 0:05:41stage of the build with the bespoke interior work still to be started.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Brendan's come to meet Bobby on site to check on progress.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- All the windows and doors are now all in.- Excellent.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50All the partitions are in and most of the partitions are all sheeted with plasterboard.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Fantastic.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54This is a nice double bedroom.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56- This is going to be your office.- Yep. - Study in here.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58That's looks great. The door looks brilliant.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02That's the doorway here that we actually saw outside which looks fantastic.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05You can actually see the view that you'll get. And you can see the castle.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07That was a good choice putting that there.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- I think this is a great idea. - Yeah, brilliant idea.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Being able to walk through the rooms of the house is a big step forward
0:06:13 > 0:06:17for Brendan, but it's not just his opinion that's going to matter.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Yeah, really pleased, and my other half, she's in Asia
0:06:20 > 0:06:23at the moment so she's not seen this since it was really just a shell,
0:06:23 > 0:06:27the foundations so a few pictures, a few e-mails will update her.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28Yeah, keep her going.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32Brendan may be happy, but Indonesia is a long way from a cold,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34muddy building site in Scotland.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36His new wife was last here in the summer.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40It's now mid-winter and she's only seen images of the building.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44When she does arrive, disaster strikes for Bobby.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Brendan and Rosella decide the kitchen is in the wrong place
0:06:46 > 0:06:48and everything has to be dismantled.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54Yesterday, this was built. It was looking fantastic.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Unfortunately, there's an issue.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Liz and Bruce Casely bought their three-storey, Edwardian townhouse
0:07:07 > 0:07:08in Edinburgh two years ago.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Now, they've decided to extend out into the garden
0:07:11 > 0:07:14and install a new, bigger, state-of-the-art kitchen.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17This is a wonderful house.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21We've got lots and lots of space but the kitchen area just doesn't
0:07:21 > 0:07:26work so we can't have two or four children having dinner together.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29You're always in the way in the kitchen and so opening that out and
0:07:29 > 0:07:35making a new modern area is really key to really enjoying the house.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37The idea behind the project really
0:07:37 > 0:07:40is to make some more family living space
0:07:40 > 0:07:42in an old, Victorian, terraced house.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51The couple have chosen Edinburgh-based, award-winning architect
0:07:51 > 0:07:54David Blaikie to design their new kitchen and extension.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Effectively, it's reorganising the back,
0:07:59 > 0:08:04the ground floor back areas of a three-storey, terraced house.
0:08:04 > 0:08:10What the client is after is to combine the existing kitchen
0:08:10 > 0:08:13with the existing dining area...
0:08:15 > 0:08:18..open up through the back elevation of the house to the back
0:08:18 > 0:08:23wall of the house, extend out in this area and then it was
0:08:23 > 0:08:27thought that we should actually push out, further out into the garden
0:08:27 > 0:08:30with this, what we're calling the winter garden so it's
0:08:30 > 0:08:36an unheated, fully-glazed external space which looks down the garden.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Liz and Bruce are expecting to pay around £200,000 for their new
0:08:40 > 0:08:42kitchen and glazed garden room extension,
0:08:42 > 0:08:47£46,000 for the kitchen, £154,000 to cover the cost of all
0:08:47 > 0:08:51the building work, total decoration and the architect's design fees.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54It will take six months to complete.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57It should be a relatively straightforward project,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00but David's clients are at loggerheads over the build.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05There's an element of uncertainty, I think, about how,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07in what shape or what form the project is going to move
0:09:07 > 0:09:11forward so we just need to discuss whether it's all going to be done
0:09:11 > 0:09:16in one go or trying to look at splitting it down into two phases.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17On a project like this,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20all the major building works would normally be completed before
0:09:20 > 0:09:23the most expensive fixtures and fittings, like the kitchen,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26are put in, to avoid any damage to the final finishes,
0:09:26 > 0:09:28but Liz has other ideas.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31I'm absolutely terrified of living in this house
0:09:31 > 0:09:36for the next six months with builders and dust and dirt,
0:09:36 > 0:09:38and with two small children,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41I'm hoping to be away as much as possible.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44She wants to get her kitchen up and running before any of the other work
0:09:44 > 0:09:49is done to cause minimum disruption to her and her family's life.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53I like the idea of getting the first bit done so that we can use
0:09:53 > 0:09:57the kitchen, whereas the other part of the work will just take so much longer.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00You know, doing it in two phases, it will take overall longer
0:10:00 > 0:10:02and there probably are additional costs.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06I suppose I'm slightly concerned about the fact that we start
0:10:06 > 0:10:09the project, we do first half in the kitchen
0:10:09 > 0:10:11- and all the men go off site.- Yeah.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13And then it's a hassle to get them
0:10:13 > 0:10:16all back on and get everything all finished off, so do you just
0:10:16 > 0:10:20take the pain in one fell swoop rather than doing it in stages?
0:10:20 > 0:10:23No, the point is, is if we do this all in one go,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26this will all be out of action for six months.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29With a stalemate on how to proceed,
0:10:29 > 0:10:33David needs some kind of a solution if he's even to start the build.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38- What happens if we were to do the whole lot, OK?- Hmm.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43Day one, the builders come in and they come in and they knock down
0:10:43 > 0:10:48- the wall here, they put some plasterboard up or whatever across here.- Yep.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51The kitchen man comes in, installs the kitchen. OK?
0:10:51 > 0:10:56We can now use our kitchen and the men can start working out here.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01That wasn't the way that we talked about it before.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04I know, but I'm just thinking why can't you do it that way around?
0:11:04 > 0:11:08So it's effectively a two-phase project in one phase?
0:11:08 > 0:11:09- Right.- Yep.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11It's not the normal order of a contract
0:11:11 > 0:11:14but there's nothing to say it can't happen in that way.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16A compromise has been reached.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Liz's hi-tech kitchen will be created first with
0:11:19 > 0:11:21the extension being built around it,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24shielded by a partition. It's an expensive way of doing it,
0:11:24 > 0:11:29and there are risks that the new kitchen could get damaged but Liz is happy.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32That was an interesting sort of contrast between the practical
0:11:32 > 0:11:33look at how it works
0:11:33 > 0:11:37and the more sort of nurturing, caring aspect of how the project might work.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40The compromise that we've reached, I think, is probably the right one.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52The day has finally come for the building work to start.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56A team has arrived to remove the old kitchen which is being recycled.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Bruce has been called away abroad on business.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Liz decides to beat a hasty retreat to her parents
0:12:01 > 0:12:03and leave the builders to it.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08We need to be out of here
0:12:08 > 0:12:11because it is going to be mental for the next two weeks.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15They're knocking out the back wall and I really don't want to be
0:12:15 > 0:12:17here with the two children so we thought we'd head off
0:12:17 > 0:12:22down to the coast and come back and hopefully be in a better place.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27The family may have escaped for now but when they return,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30their decision to stay in the house whilst work is carried out
0:12:30 > 0:12:33looks like it might be coming back to bite them.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35For Liz, her new kitchen can't come soon enough.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38It would just be nice to get out of this room.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40We find that we are doing everything in here.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Playing with the kids, watching television in the evening, cooking.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45It's like living in a bedsit.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52In Stirlingshire, the big day has arrived for Bobby and Brendan.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Rosella has flown back from Indonesia
0:12:54 > 0:12:57and will be seeing her new home for the first time since it
0:12:57 > 0:13:01was just a set of muddy foundations three and a half months ago.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02Hey, how are you?
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Hi. I'm good.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07It's good to see you. It's good to see you.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Brendan has put his heart and soul into the build
0:13:09 > 0:13:12and hopes his wife likes it as much as he does.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Wow.- So here we are.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21It's great. This is my drawers.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Yours or mine?
0:13:23 > 0:13:27It looks totally different. It's been three and a half months.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33We will be getting them to put the lights in for each...
0:13:33 > 0:13:34Yeah, the lights will go up.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Yeah, he'll cut that and put in little downlights.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39It's a huge move for Rosella,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42but the building seems to have the seal of approval Bobby hoped for.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46All she saw the last time was the concrete slab, and now she's come
0:13:46 > 0:13:52back to Scotland. I just get the impression that she's bowled over.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Every time I come in, it still blows me away.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58The staircase is in, the walls in, the heating is in.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00It's now the fun stuff really, picking the tiles
0:14:00 > 0:14:03and doing the decor. Yeah?
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Yeah. Yay, that's my part.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Rosella and Brendan's house is moving forward at a great pace.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Donald, are you OK?
0:14:20 > 0:14:23The underfloor heating and screed poured floor have been laid
0:14:23 > 0:14:27and the fantastic new kitchen is in, or at least it was.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32This lot here is Brendan's kitchen.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Until yesterday, this was built. It was looking fantastic.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39HAMMERING Unfortunately,
0:14:39 > 0:14:43there's an issue, which you can hear in the background.
0:14:43 > 0:14:50The kitchen is too far forward by around 300mm,
0:14:50 > 0:14:56so Brendan was adamant that that size had to be... The position
0:14:56 > 0:15:00of the worktop had to be moved back to allow his dining room in.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02It's one of these things.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04You know, the client really gets what he wants
0:15:04 > 0:15:06so we had to dismantle it yesterday.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08It's a difficult job.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Plumber Monty has to relocate the water supply from under
0:15:10 > 0:15:13the island but with Rosella's requested underfloor heating system
0:15:13 > 0:15:16buried under inches of screed, he's having to rely
0:15:16 > 0:15:20on a combination of deduction and guesswork to avoid puncturing it.
0:15:20 > 0:15:21It's warm here.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25It gradually gets colder so that tells me that there will be
0:15:25 > 0:15:28pipes up here, but I can't imagine they would be running
0:15:28 > 0:15:31close to the water services so...
0:15:35 > 0:15:38It takes two days to dismantle the kitchen, dig up the floor
0:15:38 > 0:15:40and move the island.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43But for Brendan, it's worth the extra time and hassle.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- Let's go. That's much better, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:15:46 > 0:15:47You've got that extra foot now.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51It was like a foot over here so if you can imagine
0:15:51 > 0:15:56the dining room table and chairs would be kind of there so it would have
0:15:56 > 0:16:01meant that the breakfast bar stools would've kind of been too close.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04I think because you spend a lot of time and energy
0:16:04 > 0:16:08putting it together you feel like you're just being pernickety
0:16:08 > 0:16:12but actually it's quite important, so it's good to have it come back.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- Happy, Mrs Emery? - Yes. You can see from my face.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20After getting married a year ago,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23buying the house off-plan six months ago,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26five months of building work, ripping the kitchen out
0:16:26 > 0:16:29and moving continents, it's the big day.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Come on, guys, let's celebrate!
0:16:31 > 0:16:36Brendan and Rosella finally get the keys to their new home.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39The modern kitchen is striking and because they moved the island,
0:16:39 > 0:16:42there's plenty of space for the dining table.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45The feature curved wall links the kitchen and sitting room.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, one en-suite and one bathroom.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- That's for your fridge.- Thank you.
0:16:53 > 0:16:59And this is for you. OK? Everything is done.
0:16:59 > 0:17:00My job is finished.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03So, it's really up to you guys just to live in here
0:17:03 > 0:17:05and live happily ever after.
0:17:06 > 0:17:14And, erm. It's cool, it's good. It's real big smiles!
0:17:15 > 0:17:18This is my wardrobe.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21That's a good view.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23That's an awesome view.
0:17:23 > 0:17:30I feel very grateful. The house is just beautiful.
0:17:30 > 0:17:36Brendan has done many things to make our life become more beautiful.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38He works so hard to make this.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40It's hard to describe. I'm sorry.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43It is emotional because it's been a project that we've dealt
0:17:43 > 0:17:45with for over a year, you know.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49It's more than what we expected, so it's just huge credit to Bobby and his team.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53I am ecstatically happy that it's turned out really, really well.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58It looks great, these people are really happy. I think it's a happy ending.
0:17:59 > 0:18:00Another happy client
0:18:00 > 0:18:03and another property signed off on Bobby's steading.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09In Edinburgh, architect David Blaikie is working
0:18:09 > 0:18:11on the renovation and extension
0:18:11 > 0:18:13of a three-storey town house for Liz and Bruce.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17One of the key features of their build
0:18:17 > 0:18:21is the glass winter garden room which will push out into their garden and bring light
0:18:21 > 0:18:23and warmth into the building.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Just down the road is one of David's former clients
0:18:27 > 0:18:31and an example of exactly what David can deliver.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Margaret, hi. Thanks very much.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Owners John and Margaret Tiller bought the two-bed, ground-floor
0:18:39 > 0:18:42flat six years ago when they downsized
0:18:42 > 0:18:44from a large house in North Berwick.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50The glass box request from the client, you know,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53from the first meeting we've created that.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55We haven't made it a complete glass box
0:18:55 > 0:18:58because there's too much heat loss during the winter
0:18:58 > 0:19:00and too much heat gain during the summer,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02so we've kept the solid, insulated roof
0:19:02 > 0:19:08but to compensate for that, we introduced this glazing slot up here
0:19:08 > 0:19:12which allows the light to flood in and to be reflected in and filtered
0:19:12 > 0:19:16in at different times of the day and different times of the year.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20The build cost around £150,000 and has given John
0:19:20 > 0:19:22and Margaret their dream home.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Something that I say to clients a lot when I'm in the early
0:19:26 > 0:19:30stage of projects is that I would like to give them something
0:19:30 > 0:19:35that every day they walk into it and they say, "Yeah, this is good."
0:19:35 > 0:19:36Well, you've succeeded.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40A few doors along, Liz and Bruce Caseley's glass extension
0:19:40 > 0:19:42is still a long way off.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44It's been two weeks since work started.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47Going against convention, Liz was determined to have her new
0:19:47 > 0:19:51state-of-the-art kitchen installed before the main extension,
0:19:51 > 0:19:56but husband Bruce convinced her to tackle both parts at the same time.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58With Liz and the kids staying at her parents', Bruce has just
0:19:58 > 0:20:02returned home from a two-week business trip and is seeing the extent of the
0:20:02 > 0:20:06build and meeting lead contractor Brian for the first time.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- Wow.- Hi, I'm Brian.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13I realise we have met. I saw you once before. In there, right.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16I've literally just flown in from Hong Kong this morning.
0:20:16 > 0:20:21- I've been away for two weeks. Any problems so far?- No, I never have problems.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24All good. I'm now back living here.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- On that side of the house. Thank you.- No problem.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Brian may be a man of few words but he makes up for it with action.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39He and his men have already taken down several massive
0:20:39 > 0:20:42supporting walls to the building and installed seven steel beams
0:20:42 > 0:20:45and six upright supports to ensure it doesn't collapse.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50We put the beam up this morning and then inserted the pad stone
0:20:50 > 0:20:55and we've made it secure and now what we're doing is we're tying it in up above
0:20:55 > 0:21:01the beam now, so when that all sets, it will be structurally sound again.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02It'll be solid.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06With the steels in, the builders now remove sections of the outside wall
0:21:06 > 0:21:09to create the new opening for the extension which will be built later.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Architect David and his colleague
0:21:14 > 0:21:17stop by to see how work is progressing.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21So you reckon Monday this wall will be down? On Monday, Tuesday.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26OK, I think that's fantastic progress from a week and a half ago.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30The next stage is to remove the wall dividing the original kitchen
0:21:30 > 0:21:31and dining room.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34David's design stipulated that the cornice work should be
0:21:34 > 0:21:38preserved which is making the job trickier for the builders.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41We took extra special care cutting the line in there when we were
0:21:41 > 0:21:48going across the plaster and made sure we didn't damage it in any way.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51It's not just a simple case of leathering it.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56You can't hit it too hard otherwise the whole thing might fall with it.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08A day later, the dividing wall is down just in time
0:22:08 > 0:22:11for Liz's return home from her parents in Kent.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14The change is incredible.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17We've gone up which has given us an awful lot of space
0:22:17 > 0:22:19and a real feeling of light.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Obviously opening up the back here is just fantastic.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26The opening at the back of the house will lead into the new extension.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- Very good. Cornice still in one piece?- Yep.- Incredible.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37It's a pretty substantial bit of engineering, isn't it?
0:22:38 > 0:22:41The steelwork that's in there is holding up
0:22:41 > 0:22:44the two storeys above it and is also helping hold up
0:22:44 > 0:22:48the stonework in the houses to both sides of it as well so there
0:22:48 > 0:22:52are three properties that that steelwork is helping to support at the moment.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Now that all the structural steelwork is in
0:22:55 > 0:23:00and the openings have been formed, the electrician and the plumbers
0:23:00 > 0:23:04and the plasterers will come in next and make good that whole space.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Get all the services in ready for the kitchen to be fitted
0:23:06 > 0:23:09and then there's a temporary hoarding that is going to
0:23:09 > 0:23:13infill that gap there, and that will allow the guys to continue
0:23:13 > 0:23:15constructing the second part of the project
0:23:15 > 0:23:19while the client is cooking in her new kitchen, so everybody is happy.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23With the build well on its way,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26David can turn his attention to the actual kitchen
0:23:26 > 0:23:30Liz and Bruce have ordered from bespoke kitchen designer Malcolm.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33The average spend on a new kitchen is £8,000,
0:23:33 > 0:23:39but Liz and Bruce have bought a handmade kitchen costing £46,000.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42The decisions that we're making now we wouldn't normally make
0:23:42 > 0:23:44until nearer the end of the project,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47but because of the way this project is organized and because Liz
0:23:47 > 0:23:52wants the kitchen installed and up and running at a much earlier
0:23:52 > 0:23:55point in the project, so it is sort of turned on its head in many ways.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Malcolm's team has assembled the kitchen in the workshop
0:23:58 > 0:24:00so David can see how it's shaping up.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04One of David's requests is for blue LED ribbon lighting
0:24:04 > 0:24:08all the way around the units to give them the illusion of floating.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10But the plan seems to have changed.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Do you really want it underneath?
0:24:13 > 0:24:16I just think, you know, the purity of this thing on the wall,
0:24:16 > 0:24:18you know, it's got wall all round about it.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Of course this was how I'd originally done it
0:24:21 > 0:24:23and then I changed it.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25I still don't understand why you changed it!
0:24:25 > 0:24:29I wasn't about, I was away skiing when you...
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Exactly, well because we're going to have LEDs - one under each
0:24:32 > 0:24:34one of these, I really thought it was a bit of overload.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37It just strikes me that it should really have...
0:24:37 > 0:24:41you should really continue, even if it's just the warm white.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43This means a lot to David.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45OK, all right. I'll do it.
0:24:45 > 0:24:46Go on. It will look much better.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48It would be much better.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50- Liz will be over the moon.- Good.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Meanwhile, Liz is getting to grips with her temporary kitchen
0:24:59 > 0:25:02in the corner of her living room.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06I've got the fridge out in the corridor and microwave,
0:25:06 > 0:25:11toaster, kettle, coffee machine - essential - and a jug of water.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Basically managing from that.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16But the brand-new kitchen that Liz has been dreaming of is
0:25:16 > 0:25:18tantalizingly close.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21So, the sun's out now and the kitchen is going to
0:25:21 > 0:25:25be in by the weekend, or at least usable by the weekend.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27The floor looks fantastic in there
0:25:27 > 0:25:30and we're excited about it all coming together finally.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Outside, the build is at the halfway stage,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38but the kitchen going in is a major milestone.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41David is back to cast his architectural eye over it.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48The dark dining room and kitchen have now been combined
0:25:48 > 0:25:51to form this large, open-plan kitchen diner.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56With its stone work tops, handmade units and David's
0:25:56 > 0:26:00strips of LED blue lighting, it's everything Liz and Bruce wanted.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04Is it working well?
0:26:04 > 0:26:06- All good so far as you can probably see.- Good.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10It's been a long trip, a long journey to get here.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13But as of last weekend, we've actually had a working
0:26:13 > 0:26:16kitchen which is absolutely fantastic.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19All the modern technology including running water which was
0:26:19 > 0:26:21quite a novelty for us
0:26:21 > 0:26:27and now we've got all of this and it's really, really quite something.
0:26:29 > 0:26:35This lighting around the wall units across here works incredibly
0:26:35 > 0:26:39well visually, and then the row of bright LEDs underneath just
0:26:39 > 0:26:42gives you a really good working surface across there.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45It's really impressive at night when it's dark outside
0:26:45 > 0:26:48and you're sitting at the dining table
0:26:48 > 0:26:52and up here on the units you just have the blue LED lights on there.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53It does look like the cabinet's floating.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00I pressed hard with the kitchen designer to make sure that
0:27:00 > 0:27:03the blue light went right the way around it because originally, it was
0:27:03 > 0:27:05just going to be up the sides, over the top, and down again.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08But I think to get that full graphic sort of image, I think it
0:27:08 > 0:27:13had to come back underneath so I'm glad we bullied him into doing that.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15But I think your big light fitting that you've chosen is
0:27:15 > 0:27:18really dramatic. It really fills the space well, doesn't it?
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Yeah, we're really pleased with it.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23It doesn't give off enough light, but it does look lovely.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27Yep, no, I think to have got from where we started to this,
0:27:27 > 0:27:31you know, halfway through the project is fantastic.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36The new kitchen cost £46,000
0:27:36 > 0:27:40and there's still another £154,000 to finish the extension.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Liz and Bruce still have many more weeks of living
0:27:44 > 0:27:48on a building site but the end result will be their dream home.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51All in all, I think we are delighted with it and I can't
0:27:51 > 0:27:57wait to see the finished...well, see and use the finished article.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05Next time on Building Dream Homes - in Stirling, architect Bobby takes
0:28:05 > 0:28:09on a client whose obsession for four wheels is taken to the extreme.
0:28:09 > 0:28:10He just loves his cars.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12I love cars. Absolutely love them.
0:28:12 > 0:28:18This originally was partly a bedroom facing Stirling Castle.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21When the granite floor is down, this will be one posh garage.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25And a cottage renovation hits a stumbling block
0:28:25 > 0:28:27when the local planning officer pays a visit.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29I think we need fewer roof lights
0:28:29 > 0:28:31- and I think we need to reduce them in size as well.- Sure.