0:00:02 > 0:00:04Across the nation, architects are transforming the homes we live in.
0:00:04 > 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 > 0:00:13We're following some of those leading the way in groundbreaking 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 > 0:00:21We'll be with them every step of the way as they battle with
0:00:21 > 0:00:25builders, blueprints and the clients who hire them.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28You've got a very strange understanding of the word "today."
0:00:28 > 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!
0:00:35 > 0:00:39We're with them as they draw on their seven years of training to 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 > 0:00:51Oh, man!
0:00:52 > 0:00:54I've said many prayers.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55That's amazing!
0:00:55 > 0:00:58That's a pretty incredible difference, isn't it?
0:00:58 > 0:01:02The fixings alone cost 17 grand.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08All in the name of making the properties we dream of a reality.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Today, architect Bobby Halliday is in a race against time
0:01:24 > 0:01:26to finish his farmsteading conversion.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29One house has to be completely redesigned.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33We had to relocate the bedrooms to the other side of the house.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35While there is trouble at the top with another.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38It just gives the joiners some problems.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44One of the structural pieces of the scaffolding, it's just catching on.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47And architect Carolyn faces some tough opposition
0:01:47 > 0:01:49from the planning department.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53- I think we need fewer roof lights. - OK.- I think they need to be reduced in size, as well.- Sure.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Susan Irwin lives in a beautiful cottage in the conservation area of Currie,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03a village six miles from Edinburgh.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05She and her family wanted a bigger home
0:02:05 > 0:02:08but didn't want to leave the place they love,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10so when the dilapidated cottage next door came on the market,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12she snapped it up.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Right, so this is Cobweb Cottage, actually.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19She has grand plans for the very small cottage.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23So this is going to, hopefully, be a utility room
0:02:23 > 0:02:25and a bedroom here,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28and then this is going to be a big lounge space.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31We're going to put a wood burning stove in here,
0:02:31 > 0:02:32which would be lovely,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36and then double doors through in that back bit.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39It's a long time since the cottage was anyone's home.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42For the last 40 years it's been a workshop.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Up here was where they did the silversmithery,
0:02:45 > 0:02:49and then downstairs they did stone polishing.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Susan has commissioned architect Chris Dinnis
0:02:54 > 0:02:57and practice partner Carolyn Whiteford to do some initial drawings.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00They specialise in working on conservation properties.
0:03:00 > 0:03:06And what we've done is taken this space and completely cleared it out
0:03:06 > 0:03:12and the point, we felt, was to be able to use the loft space upstairs.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Susan and her family want to make the old silversmiths
0:03:14 > 0:03:16part of their existing home.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19By knocking through the adjoining wall, it will give them a new
0:03:19 > 0:03:22sitting room, two more bedrooms, one with en-suite and a bathroom.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Their budget for the work is £90,000,
0:03:25 > 0:03:27which includes Chris and Carolyn's fees,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30and their first job is to get it through planning.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34Architects are crucial in the planning stage of a development,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36both in realising the full potential of a building
0:03:36 > 0:03:39and ensuring it goes through planning smoothly,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42especially when, like here, it's in a conservation area.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46But Susan has enlisted someone else to help with the project.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47Hello!
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Her father Bill helped convert her existing cottage,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54and he's keen to get involved with the new one, too.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- How are you?- Well.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59Are you? Good. Come on in.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Today, architects Chris and Carolyn have come to the cottage
0:04:02 > 0:04:05to discuss the plans with client Susan and her dad.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07- Hello.- This is my dad. - Pleased to meet you. I'm Chris.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09- I'm deaf.- You're deaf. All right, just like me!
0:04:09 > 0:04:12And Bill has been very busy.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13Wonderful.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- My dad has made a scale model of Cobweb Cottage.- Wow!
0:04:17 > 0:04:22When I got your first drawing, I couldn't see the staircase.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26I thought, "Well, the only way I can do it is to make a staircase."
0:04:26 > 0:04:28To visualise, and then it grew.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Big mistake!
0:04:31 > 0:04:36Dad had had this thought this is going to be a pull-down bed here.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- Ah, right, right. Yes. - I don't know what your thoughts are.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Well, the only thing we would have to raise is to do, erm,
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- with building regulations and space around the bed.- Right.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Because that has to take the size of the bed to the room.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52I'd thought about the front door.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I quite like the idea of it being a window instead of a door,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57which you have in your picture.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02Dad was more keen on it being a door, but just on the outside,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04and just having windows up at the top.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Right, well, you can do that, that's perfectly permissible.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- It preserves...- It preserves the composition of the original house.
0:05:10 > 0:05:11Yes, yes.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Because the cottage is in a conservation area,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17all these ideas will have to go through a rigorous planning process.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19They'll also have to apply for a "change of use"
0:05:19 > 0:05:22to bring it back to residential housing.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Once it goes to planning permission, is that it?
0:05:24 > 0:05:26It's got to be completely set in stone?
0:05:26 > 0:05:28The whole planning is a difficult one.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31In our feasibility study we'll do a run-through with them
0:05:31 > 0:05:33just to see whether they highlight anything.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Thank you very much.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38The next stage is for Chris and Carolyn to draw up a new set of plans.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40I think we're there.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42We just need to make a few wee changes.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46But they also need to consider their clients' motivations.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48We had this discussion with the client before
0:05:48 > 0:05:51that it was really an extension to their own house
0:05:51 > 0:05:53and it would be for kids to use,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56but, from what we saw today, maybe Bill had other ideas.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59He'd designed his own kitchen, fold-away bed
0:05:59 > 0:06:02and living space - everything!
0:06:02 > 0:06:07We'll do our next plan and, hopefully, it'll get the thumbs up from both Susan and Bill.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Just when it looks like everyone's opinions have been considered,
0:06:10 > 0:06:14the planning officer steps in with views of his own.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- I think we need fewer roof lights.- OK.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- And reduced in size, as well.- Sure.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27In Stirlingshire, award winning architect Bobby Halliday. is a man with big ideas
0:06:27 > 0:06:29This isn't my real pencil, by the way,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32this is a magic pencil!
0:06:32 > 0:06:35He has a reputation for transforming old buildings
0:06:35 > 0:06:37into slick, contemporary homes.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40His latest development took a group of old farm buildings
0:06:40 > 0:06:43and redeveloped them into ten residential properties.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48The project here is to renovate, where possible,
0:06:48 > 0:06:53but, in actual fact, all of the steading has had to be demolished.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Bobby drew up plans for ten dwellings,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58ranging from a two-bed steading to a large farmhouse,
0:06:58 > 0:07:02and convinced an investment company to come on board.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06They paid the £2.4 million land and construction costs.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13The properties will sell for between £165,000 and £600,000 each.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16All the houses are due to be finished within 18 months
0:07:16 > 0:07:19and Bobby has already moved some people in.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- Come on, guys, let's celebrate! - Excellent.- You're welcome.
0:07:22 > 0:07:23- Thank you, Bobby.- That's great.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- Thank you!- And this is for you. - Oh...
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Here you are. OK.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Nearly all the houses have been sold off plan, giving Bobby
0:07:36 > 0:07:39the opportunity to design a bespoke interior for each client.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44But plot 7 still doesn't have a buyer and, with the project close to completion,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46time is running out.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49When there's no client, really you just have to try
0:07:49 > 0:07:53and design it for a hypothetical client.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57And Bobby is more than happy to assume that role.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01If you stick to nice neutral colours, nice oak flooring,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04don't go too light, don't go too dark,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07then, again, the vast majority of buyers who are out there
0:08:07 > 0:08:12hopefully come and say, "Yeah, this looks like a really nice, attractive house."
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Luckily, Bobby's never short of ideas.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18I think it might be nice to have a nice internal stone wall.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23Introduce some sort of fireplace/TV feature,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26and probably have a nice curved breakfast bar here.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30From an architect, my own interior style is just coolness.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33We're off!
0:08:35 > 0:08:36Right...
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Back in the office, Bobby needs to put his ideas for plot 7 onto paper.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46Most clients we have are asking for some sort of room divider
0:08:46 > 0:08:48with a fire in it.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51I don't really want to put a fire in this, so what I think I'll do
0:08:51 > 0:08:56is maybe even make it just a big sheet of glass.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58If you can see this effect in this door here,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00there's a projector behind the door.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03If I could use this as a room divider
0:09:03 > 0:09:08and the TV was actually ceiling-mounted and projected
0:09:08 > 0:09:10the TV picture on the glass,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13then you could see the TV picture from both sides.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15A radical idea from Bobby.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19But before he gets carried away with plot 7's interior,
0:09:19 > 0:09:22he needs to tend to more essential matters like its roof.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27A truss is basically a mechanism for covering a house.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Things seem to go to plan...
0:09:34 > 0:09:36until the end truss is lowered.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39The overhang of the roof is causing problems.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52One of the structural pieces of the scaffolding, it's called a hop up,
0:09:52 > 0:09:56that's just catching on itself, it should be OK.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00That's it. How long have we got to go?
0:10:00 > 0:10:04At the bottom we've got... That's it on, so that's a job well done.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09And once the frame's in place, the slates can be fitted, too.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12A house that was on paper just eight weeks ago
0:10:12 > 0:10:14is starting to resemble a home at last.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20With the roof on, the rest of plot 7 starts taking shape,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22but Bobby has to drive the build forward.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26It might not have a buyer but he still needs to get this house finished on time
0:10:26 > 0:10:30or he risks the whole development overrunning, meaning additional costs.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32OK, so you were due to be here at about half past nine,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34you'll be here at about quarter to ten, yeah?
0:10:34 > 0:10:37With tight client moving dates and construction costs
0:10:37 > 0:10:39set at £2 million...
0:10:39 > 0:10:42These guys are looking to be a wee bit struggling in there.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44.. overrunning is something he can't afford to do.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Are you OK? Have you got stuff to do?
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Right. Can you give this guy something to do?
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Just the usual, a couple of nice down lights in the ceiling,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57extractor, a nice wall light on the stair.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- Core cut a hole in the concrete and put it there.- Right.- OK.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Four months after the construction of plot 7 started,
0:11:13 > 0:11:15it's time for the screed to be poured.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18The underfloor heating pipes have already been installed.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Over 500 gallons of self-levelling screed are going to be
0:11:21 > 0:11:24pumped into the house - it's a big operation.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27When the screed is poured in then this just, basically, becomes
0:11:27 > 0:11:32a bath of running, flowing, liquid screed,
0:11:32 > 0:11:36and it's actually a pretty exciting operation to get done.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38The team are raring to go.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41This is actually a good time to have a cup of coffee!
0:11:41 > 0:11:46And Bobby's keen to push on, but the lorry carrying the screed has lost its way.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48He's at the other side of the road. We can physically see him.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52We need somebody to tell him where he needs to go.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Bobby can't afford to lose any more time
0:11:55 > 0:11:57and takes matters into his own hands.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00There's always something, and it's always raining
0:12:00 > 0:12:01when something happens!
0:12:01 > 0:12:05There he is. He obviously never saw the sign at the end of the road.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11We flashed the lights, he's spotted us, and that's us back in business.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Within minutes, the screed can be laid.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Screed is a thin layer of cement used to create a smooth floor space
0:12:20 > 0:12:22upon which other finishes can be added.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26When pouring it, millimetre accuracy is required.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28These guys are working to very precise levels.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31We've calculated that the screed should be around
0:12:31 > 0:12:3265 millimetres thick.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36If these guys make it 75, which really is only 10ml,
0:12:36 > 0:12:40then this screed it going to take an extra ten days to dry.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44And time is money. The sooner the screed dries,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46the sooner the contractors can glue down the hardwood floor
0:12:46 > 0:12:49and move the house onto completion.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52It's almost done and the underfloor heating pipes
0:12:52 > 0:12:53will be covered for ever.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55The pipes may be covered,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58but it'll be three weeks before the house can be worked on again.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03It's a race again time for Bobby to finish the development on schedule
0:13:03 > 0:13:06and, even if he does, he still needs to find a buyer for plot 7.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16In Currie, near Edinburgh, architects Chris and Carolyn
0:13:16 > 0:13:17are trying to gain planning permission
0:13:17 > 0:13:20and change of use for an old silversmiths.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Another building they designed and gained change of use for
0:13:23 > 0:13:25is an old artist studio near Edinburgh.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28There was originally an artist's studio which got burnt down.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30I was asked by the then owner
0:13:30 > 0:13:33if I could get planning permission to reinstate it.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36We had to build a new road to get to it.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Also the water board didn't have any water, so we had to build
0:13:39 > 0:13:43a pump house here to pump the water up to the tank in the house.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46It's been 15 months since Carolyn
0:13:46 > 0:13:48and Chris have been back to the property.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Like Susan's silversmiths, the studio was in a rundown state
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- when it was first purchased... - Very nice. It does look good.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58..and required a complete overhaul and a change of use
0:13:58 > 0:14:00to meet the client's brief.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03We've got this living area with the spiral staircase
0:14:03 > 0:14:04going up to the bedroom.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10A circular window to the south, so it gets some morning sun.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13That caused quite a lot of effort, to be honest,
0:14:13 > 0:14:16it had to be specially made, specially cut, and in fact,
0:14:16 > 0:14:20I think it was one of the last things to be fitted, wasn't it?
0:14:20 > 0:14:22It was, "Where's the window, where's the window?"
0:14:22 > 0:14:24But it was all there, and there it is.
0:14:27 > 0:14:33It's nice to see the open plan space used so it can be adaptable.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Just furniture makes it a nice place to live.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40The location of the studio brought its own challenges.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43It's basically timber, and they manufactured
0:14:43 > 0:14:46a lot of it down where the Land Rover is presently parked.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49They had a wee production place and they made up all the frames
0:14:49 > 0:14:51and then brought them up here.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54There was quite a whole industry went on when this house was built.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57The nature of the build inevitably added to the final budget.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02The original tender cost was maybe sort of £220,000 and it may be ended
0:15:02 > 0:15:06up being £280,000 at the end of the day.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10It became justifiable in terms of what it would cost to buy
0:15:10 > 0:15:13a house of any kind in Edinburgh, or in the vicinity,
0:15:13 > 0:15:17and this price, actually, was very good value for money.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19This site is completely unique,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22so, in a way, it wasn't completely over the odds.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Back in Currie, architect, Carolyn, is on her way
0:15:28 > 0:15:31to the silversmith cottage for a site meeting with the
0:15:31 > 0:15:34planning officer to talk through their proposals.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Because planning takes such a long time to be approved,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40if you've submitted something that the planners aren't going to
0:15:40 > 0:15:43be happy with, then it just adds on so much
0:15:43 > 0:15:46time for the client for reaching that point where
0:15:46 > 0:15:48they can actually start to think about building.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53We quite like to pre-empt that and discuss things with the planners,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57have an open conversation, so that we're all aware
0:15:57 > 0:16:01of what the issues are and we can resolve them before we've spent
0:16:01 > 0:16:04too much time or we've waited too long.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Planning Officer, Michael, has already arrived
0:16:06 > 0:16:07and had a good look around.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11This particular part of Currie, which is a historic part
0:16:11 > 0:16:15with a lot of old buildings, is a designated conservation area
0:16:15 > 0:16:19and that means there are a whole range of special controls
0:16:19 > 0:16:22that the council has over development.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Even a minor alteration to a house in a conservation area
0:16:26 > 0:16:30will require approval from the planning authority.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31The building isn't listed,
0:16:31 > 0:16:36so there's no question about internal alternations
0:16:36 > 0:16:41needing planning approval, but the external alterations, because we're
0:16:41 > 0:16:45in the Currie conservation area, they require formal consent.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Carolyn knows there's one aspect of her design the planners might
0:16:49 > 0:16:51take particular issue with.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56Some of the concerns are to do with the size of roof lights.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59We've got quite large roof lights,
0:16:59 > 0:17:03and part of that is practical for escape purposes.
0:17:03 > 0:17:09We need to have a window that can be escaped out of from the bedroom,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12and also we just want to get as much light in there as possible.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Two main things, really, is the impact of your external
0:17:17 > 0:17:21alterations on the character and appearance of the conservation area,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24and the impact on the character of any or the setting of any surrounding
0:17:24 > 0:17:26listed buildings, as well.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28From looking at the informal drawings,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30I don't think that there's likely to be an impact on the setting
0:17:30 > 0:17:33of listed buildings at all, but what we need to do is have a look to make
0:17:33 > 0:17:36sure that any external alterations are done sympathetically,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- bearing in mind the character of the other conservation area.- Yes, yeah.
0:17:39 > 0:17:45We'll take you upstairs just to see. If we can all fit up there!
0:17:45 > 0:17:49You'll see by upstairs why it's called Cobweb Cottage, actually.
0:17:49 > 0:17:50Do I need a hard hat?
0:17:53 > 0:17:57I think part of the larger roof lights, excuse me,
0:17:57 > 0:17:58is to be able to escape.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01We need to have at least one as an escape window.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04That's something I need to chat to you about, the size of the
0:18:04 > 0:18:08roof lights, actually, and also their positioning on the roof.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11I think we need fewer roof lights and they need to be reduced
0:18:11 > 0:18:12- in size, as well.- Sure.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Obviously, they need to be a conservation type, as well, and
0:18:16 > 0:18:19I'm aware that some of the other ones along here are conservation type.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- The existing ones.- Two wrongs don't make a right,
0:18:22 > 0:18:25so we'd like to see conservation type roof lights on that.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30Outside, there's a useful discovery. Next door has roof lights already.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35I think I would really like to see something that matches that
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- line of roof lights. - That height, right.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40That height.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43There's two arguments here. One is, do we continue that same
0:18:43 > 0:18:46size across just to give it a little bit of symmetry?
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Or given that this is a separate building,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51with a slightly different character set-up,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55because it's set up and set back, do we want to see smaller roof lights?
0:18:57 > 0:19:02I'm simply asking myself the question, rather than anything else.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04I guess if we had a conservation roof light, you know with
0:19:04 > 0:19:07the glazing bar, it might diminish, you know, they may not look so bold.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09I think that's...
0:19:09 > 0:19:12I think from our point of view, we'd like them as big as possible.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15It would be hard for me to argue that that size of roof light
0:19:15 > 0:19:18wasn't appropriate, given that that's what's there already.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- Great.- It's only because we're on a public viewpoint here.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24If this had been a private space, I think we'd be a little bit
0:19:24 > 0:19:27less concerned about it, and as people can walk past
0:19:27 > 0:19:31and see it, I think it's important that that's addressed.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Mm-hm.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36The meeting's gone well and Susan gives the go-ahead for Carolyn
0:19:36 > 0:19:38to draw up and submit formal plans.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44They bought the cottage over a year ago.
0:19:44 > 0:19:4710 months later, they brought Chris and Carolyn on board.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Four months ago, they submitted their plans.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Finally, the decision is in from the planning department
0:19:52 > 0:19:54and Chris is en-route to deliver the news.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00I have the pleasure of being able to announce today
0:20:00 > 0:20:03a special award for planning permission!
0:20:03 > 0:20:08Brilliant! Aww, that is great! Wow.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10- So did it pass all right? - We got it all through.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- All the bits and pieces as you wanted.- Fantastic.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16I think that's the biggest hurdle of all, is the planning.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- Yes.- We're down to reality and practicality now,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22and your father will no doubt be able to help much more now,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25because he won't have to worry about the politics any more.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Yes, exactly. Aw, that is brilliant news, actually.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32So, here we are in the early spring of 2014,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- the whole world ahead of us! - I know! It's good, yeah.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38It's now full steam ahead for Chris
0:20:38 > 0:20:40and Carolyn in their quest to breathe new life into this
0:20:40 > 0:20:44former silversmith's and create the home of Susan's dreams.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47In Stirlingshire,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50the work on architect Bobby's development
0:20:50 > 0:20:55is nearing completion, but there's still one thorn in his side, plot 7.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58The concrete screed floor has dried, but it's three weeks later
0:20:58 > 0:21:00and the house has still not sold.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Bobby needs to finish the project, so has decided to fit
0:21:04 > 0:21:06the kitchen to his own specification.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12It's a big risk. Every other house on-site has been designed
0:21:12 > 0:21:15to suit the buyer's lifestyle.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18With that now not an option on plot 7, he has to get it right.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20But Bobby is bullish.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23I am seriously confident that when those items...
0:21:23 > 0:21:25when that kitchen gets fitted in that house,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28someone will come along, the garden will be looking good,
0:21:28 > 0:21:33the driveway will be finished, the house will sell no problems.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34Elsewhere on the site,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38Bobby has worked with the clients to make each house unique.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40One of the first properties to be finished required
0:21:40 > 0:21:42some special attention.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Former paralympian, Mhairi Love, suffered a serious spinal injury
0:21:46 > 0:21:49at the age of 12 that left her paralysed from the waist down.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Whilst her home needed tweaks to make it more accessible,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55she didn't want to compromise on style.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57The brief that Bobby was given was just to try
0:21:57 > 0:22:00and create as much space as possible for me.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07The key things were just accessibility, really,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09making sure that the kitchen was accessible.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12As it's always been my dream to do it, I was happy to wait
0:22:12 > 0:22:14and get the end result I was looking for.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16I hope it is home for ever now.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18I certainly don't intend to move again.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Just next door to Mhairi,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24another house is being tailored to suit the needs of its car-mad buyers
0:22:24 > 0:22:27who sacrificed a bedroom for a bigger garage.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31I love cars, absolutely love them!
0:22:31 > 0:22:34That is his passion. His first word was car.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Like Mhairi, Sandy and Elizabeth Farquarson spent a lot of time
0:22:37 > 0:22:40working with Bobby on what they wanted from their new home.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43As we can see on the plan, there were a number of items that
0:22:43 > 0:22:47the client specifically asked for, which was a fitted out garage,
0:22:47 > 0:22:51they wanted to reduce a three bedroom house to a two bedroom house.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Sandy and Elizabeth are spending £405,000 on their new
0:22:55 > 0:22:57two bedroom house.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Sandy's love of cars has dramatically changed the layout.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03For Bobby, that means compromises have been made.
0:23:03 > 0:23:09This, originally, was partly a bedroom facing the Stirling Castle,
0:23:09 > 0:23:14so we had to relocate the bedrooms to the other side of the house.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18So, when it's finished, when the granite floor is down,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21this will be one plush garage!
0:23:21 > 0:23:23In order to keep the car-mad Farquarsons and the rest
0:23:23 > 0:23:27of his clients happy, Bobby has yet another problem to deal with.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32The access road into the site was already a real mess, but months of
0:23:32 > 0:23:36being pounded by laden lorries and heavy machinery has taken its toll.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39With clients moving in all the time, and some with very expensive cars,
0:23:39 > 0:23:43it's a problem he needs to address quickly.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47I see Mrs Farquarson's car, which is just looking absolutely spotless.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50I'm going to have to speak to the contractor and ask them
0:23:50 > 0:23:55to tidy up this road, because the road is covered in mud.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Bobby is about to get that sorted.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Ah, this is a real big adventure today.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07You know, I've really felt bad that the residents have had to drive in
0:24:07 > 0:24:11and out the mud and some residents are very, very proud of their cars.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18Today will be the end of that lumpy, bumpy pot-hole road.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21This is just one of those great steps forward,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23coming to the end of the site.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Mr and Mrs Farquarson will be over the moon!
0:24:26 > 0:24:29The road is completed in just two days.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31It's a step closer to completion for Bobby.
0:24:35 > 0:24:3718 months ago, Bobby took on an ambitious
0:24:37 > 0:24:40redevelopment of a derelict farm steading.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42This is Wednesday morning.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Do you think you'll be out of here by Friday?
0:24:45 > 0:24:46- No?- No.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49He's had to contend with freezing winter weather...
0:24:49 > 0:24:54Whoa! There you go.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57- ..issues with building inspectors... - If I can't get it done tomorrow,
0:24:57 > 0:24:59the house won't get a completion certificate?
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Well, we can't issue the completion until that's done.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04And a house that just won't sell...
0:25:04 > 0:25:07I have no idea why it's not sold - I have no idea.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Throughout the project, his clients have been
0:25:12 > 0:25:15moving into their new bespoke homes.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19The ramshackle old farm buildings have been demolished.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21In their place, a pristine development
0:25:21 > 0:25:23of ten stylish new properties.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27What was a busy building site is fast becoming a community.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Bobby is back to check on his clients.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Now fully moved in, the Farquarsons have
0:25:33 > 0:25:37a bespoke two bedroom, two bathroom home with the all-important
0:25:37 > 0:25:38two car garage.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42This is a five-star hotel suite you've got here, seriously!
0:25:43 > 0:25:46It's fabulous. It's fabulous.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Oh, yeah!
0:25:48 > 0:25:51But they're not the only ones delighted with their dream home.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55Newly weds Brendan and Rosella
0:25:55 > 0:25:58moved across the world to their new home in Stirlingshire.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Their kitchen caused dramas...
0:26:01 > 0:26:05Yesterday, this was built. It was looking fantastic.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Unfortunately, there's an issue.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- ..but is now an oasis of calm. - I think it looks great.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- Aye, we're pleased. - I think it looks great, yeah.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19I know that we moved the kitchen and the island unit back.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- It gives us a wee bit more space. - You needed it moved back, yeah.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24- Aye, we're pleased. - I think it looks great, yeah.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27A big feature here, the big curved wall feature.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29I think it's looking great.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Now, all you need is just a projector on there
0:26:32 > 0:26:35and you can have full size movies on that wall.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38That's really good.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41The only remaining loose end for Bobby is the last
0:26:41 > 0:26:43unsold property - plot 7.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45He's worked tirelessly to get it finished
0:26:45 > 0:26:48within the site's 18 month deadline, and he's done it.
0:26:50 > 0:26:55Because this house hadn't been sold when we started construction,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59then I was given more or less a free rein to put in
0:26:59 > 0:27:02some personal choice elements.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05The kitchen and modern contemporary dining area have been styled
0:27:05 > 0:27:08to Bobby's vision, coming in at a cool £25,000.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11I have no idea why it's not sold.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15It's at the end of the access road, there's no traffic passes it,
0:27:15 > 0:27:16it looks incredible.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20It has a fabulous outlook over towards Stirling Castle.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21I have no idea.
0:27:22 > 0:27:27But then, some great news for Bobby. Someone wants to buy it.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Subject to planning permission on adding a new garage,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32the house has finally been sold.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36And, even better for Bobby, the asking price
0:27:36 > 0:27:38of £375,000 has been met.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40After two and a half years of planning and construction,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42it's great news.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46As the new neighbours get to know each other, it gives Bobby
0:27:46 > 0:27:49an opportunity to reflect on another successful project.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52I'm ecstatically happy, yeah.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55The place looks great and the feedback I'm getting
0:27:55 > 0:27:58from the residents is that they're really happy.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Each of the houses has just a little piece of magic,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03whether it's a raised tie or open plan living,
0:28:03 > 0:28:07but everybody is really happy with the development.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Next time on Building Dream Homes...
0:28:12 > 0:28:16Architect David Blaikie gets to grips with a tricky house extension...
0:28:16 > 0:28:20He's destroying my house.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22..and a DIY dad.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27And a bespoke mobile home turns out to be less mobile
0:28:27 > 0:28:28than anticipated.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Oh, gosh, it's sliding all over the place!