0:00:02 > 0:00:06Have you ever dreamt of living in a house built specially for you,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08or of renovating the house you already live in?
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Then the chances are you'll need an architect to design,
0:00:14 > 0:00:16build and transform your home.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19My own interior style is just coolness.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22We're following some of the nation's architects leading
0:00:22 > 0:00:25the way in ground-breaking design.
0:00:25 > 0:00:26Oh, yeah!
0:00:28 > 0:00:32We'll be with them every step of the way as they battle with builders...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Quick word in his ear, make sure there's no more mishaps.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37That's not good.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38..and blue prints...
0:00:38 > 0:00:41This is the classic sleepless night project if I'm being honest.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43..and the clients who hire them...
0:00:43 > 0:00:45It's like working with the Chuckle Brothers.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- Ho, ho, ho!- You've got a very strange understanding
0:00:47 > 0:00:49of the word "today".
0:00:49 > 0:00:51How do you know your calculations are right?
0:00:51 > 0:00:53..and draw on their seven years of study...
0:00:53 > 0:00:56We'll go with the architects up here, then, I'm afraid.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58..to solve everyday problems...
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Seriously, this is a serious bad day.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03..all in the name of making the properties
0:01:03 > 0:01:05we dream of become a reality.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23Today, Architect Chris Loyn gets to grips with an amazing,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26budget-busting, upside-down house near Cardiff...
0:01:26 > 0:01:30It's getting from that concept, that idea that you live
0:01:30 > 0:01:33with for years and years and years, you draw it, you work through
0:01:33 > 0:01:36the spaces and then suddenly you see it emerging out of the ground.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39..where there are serious differences of opinion over style.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41I'm telling you what I want.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45You tell me what I need to achieve what I want and how much it costs.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50And architects Laurence Bowen and Paul Robinson are working
0:01:50 > 0:01:53with a family who bought a three-bed house in their dream location.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Buying a house that needed work was the only way
0:01:56 > 0:01:58we could afford to stay in this area.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01But their plans to finish their ultra-modern
0:02:01 > 0:02:04extension before the arrival of baby number two are thrown into jeopardy.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08No, I appreciate that you're in a sort of difficult position
0:02:08 > 0:02:11cos you're in between the two, but that wasn't what we agreed
0:02:11 > 0:02:12when we placed the order.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21In the Vale of Glamorgan, Marianne and Jon are building
0:02:21 > 0:02:25their for ever home, right next door to their current house.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28I suppose doing your own build, it gives you an opportunity to
0:02:28 > 0:02:30- do exactly what you want. - That's right.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32The project is an amazing
0:02:32 > 0:02:34£842,000 upside-down eco house
0:02:34 > 0:02:38that is scheduled to take just ten months to complete.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44Most importantly, Marianne and Jon have specified that
0:02:44 > 0:02:48this hi tech home should work for them for the rest of their lives.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51We wanted to move somewhere that was easy to maintain
0:02:51 > 0:02:53and was on the flat.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56The pressure of delivering the perfect pad
0:02:56 > 0:02:58lies on the shoulders of award-winning architect Chris Loyn
0:02:58 > 0:03:01and his project designer, James Stroud.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03With their reputation for cutting-edge builds,
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Chris brought the design...
0:03:05 > 0:03:09One important element of the brief was future proofing, if you like.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11..and James realises his vision.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16I'm in the kitchen, I've just made my morning coffee,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19or actually maybe I'd rather more think about
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- my evening glass of wine.- Yeah.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26It's October, four months into the build.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29The steels are up, the block work is done
0:03:29 > 0:03:32and Marianne is holding a monthly site meeting in her kitchen.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Has everyone got everything they need?
0:03:34 > 0:03:38- Only you want a croissant, Chris. - I'm OK, don't worry about that.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40One will come down in time, I'm sure.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Marianne has a very clear vision of how she wants her new home to
0:03:44 > 0:03:47look, so schedules the monthly meeting to keep up-to-date
0:03:47 > 0:03:50with how work is progressing and what decisions are being made.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Today, hi tech gadgets for the house are on the agenda.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Home automation.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57To be honest with you, this has been a bit frustrating
0:03:57 > 0:04:00cos they're saying all this home automation is specialist,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03well, speak to me in a language that I can understand, then, and tell me.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05I'm telling you what I want.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10You tell me what I need to achieve what I want and how much it costs.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13With so many different strong opinions about the final result,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16the site meetings are crucial for a smooth build.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20The purpose of the monthly site meeting is to bring everybody
0:04:20 > 0:04:23together - contractor, design team, client -
0:04:23 > 0:04:25and you see the growth of the building, of course.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28And, erm, that's what architecture is about -
0:04:28 > 0:04:31it's getting from that concept, that idea that you live with
0:04:31 > 0:04:34for years and years and years, you draw it, you work through
0:04:34 > 0:04:37the spaces and then suddenly you see it emerging out of the ground.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41We don't make the architecture, the builder makes the architecture.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43The trouble is, this time,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46builder and architect aren't quite seeing eye-to-eye.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Main contractor John Shields and his team are currently building one
0:04:49 > 0:04:51of the key features of this project -
0:04:51 > 0:04:53the curved central staircase.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56To be able to create the curve, we have to cut every brick
0:04:56 > 0:04:58individually in half.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03There's about 6,000 bricks in this wall that have all had to be cut by
0:05:03 > 0:05:06hand and the bricklayers have taken it
0:05:06 > 0:05:08and done a superb job, I must say.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10I've never built one like this before.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Erm, it just takes a lot of patience.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16It drives you round the bend, literally!
0:05:17 > 0:05:21With so much skill and work going into the stairs,
0:05:21 > 0:05:23the builders are rightly proud of the finished product,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25but the architects have instructed that it should be built
0:05:25 > 0:05:27in ugly block-work bricks,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30so there's no option but to cover it in render.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32We did ask the question to the architect, you know,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35why didn't they do it in a face brickwork, but the answer was it's
0:05:35 > 0:05:39part of the design, so, you know, it's a shame to cover it up but...
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Chris and James are on site to inspect the stairs,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46and it seems James is having a crisis of confidence.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51- That looks good, doesn't it?- It's got a little... Poking up.- Yeah.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54You know, looking at it, the beauty and care they've taken to do
0:05:54 > 0:06:00the brick out of it, part of me is wondering whether...
0:06:00 > 0:06:02You'd leave it as brick?
0:06:02 > 0:06:04It's definitely right as it is, but part of me
0:06:04 > 0:06:09feels like would it have been better to do it in brick.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- Too late. - Yeah, it is. I just... yeah.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Changing their minds at this stage is impossible without
0:06:17 > 0:06:22incurring huge costs, not to mention the wrath of everyone on site.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25James is taking no such chances on the finished look
0:06:25 > 0:06:26for the rest of the build.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30Have you discussed your idea with Chris,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32the whole wall of curtains there?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Yes, I have.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- You happy with that, Chris? - Yep, absolutely. Looks great.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41He's going to be choosing curtain material next.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43I know.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- Honestly!- I know! Napkins, the lot!
0:06:46 > 0:06:47Yeah, seriously.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50He's already asked Jon to measure all his furniture and send him
0:06:50 > 0:06:52the details so that he can place it in the house.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- In the right places.- Yeah.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00It's that level of detail that will elevate the end result.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02End result, yeah.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07It may be Marianne and Jon's home, it may only be half built, but as
0:07:07 > 0:07:10project designer, James has his own vision of what the finished product
0:07:10 > 0:07:14will look like, down to the last tap, light fitting and door handle.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18There's one room in particular that he has very firm views on.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- I'm your kitchen units. - Yeah, that's what I thought.- Yeah?
0:07:21 > 0:07:25And then you've got the window is exactly half of this, so you've
0:07:25 > 0:07:28got that half is the island and this half is the glass, so...
0:07:28 > 0:07:32Yeah. So the wall is there, so if the island ran into the wall...
0:07:32 > 0:07:33It would mean that if you wanted
0:07:33 > 0:07:36to get something off the dining table...
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- You'd have to walk round.- Yeah. - Yeah, yeah.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Marianne's point was, so if you've got a party going on or
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- something like that...- You want people to stay out of the kitchen.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Yeah, you don't want people all flooding round,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49so why not close it off and have a dead end?
0:07:49 > 0:07:52The hotly-debated topic is the kitchen layout.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Marianne has brought on board a kitchen designer,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58who's fighting against James' central island scheme
0:07:58 > 0:08:00and wants to connect all the worktops to the wall.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04All James can do is try and show Marianne the error of her ways.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08I think once you close something off, it's closed off.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Whereas, if you are having a party
0:08:10 > 0:08:13and you want to, you know, defend your zone...
0:08:13 > 0:08:15You can put something there.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17A couple of stools there will stop people coming in.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Once you've done it, then you haven't got the option.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- If, you know, for example... - I tell you what you could do.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- You could have one of these things, what are they called?- Trolley!
0:08:25 > 0:08:30- Yes!- You know in your window, you keep the trolley in the window.
0:08:30 > 0:08:36Yeah, and then I wheel it out. Yeah, over here, that's right!
0:08:36 > 0:08:41It's only by acting it out that you come across the problems.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43It's a wonderful idea!
0:08:43 > 0:08:45I don't know where we're up to now!
0:08:45 > 0:08:47No, we're not doing it. We've decided not to do it.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- That's why... - No, we haven't decided not to do it.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51We've come up with a trolley!
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- We've now got three options instead of two.- Right.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57So there's closed, open and the trolley option.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Yeah. I know.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03James might think he has the upper hand in the kitchen island debate,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05but just down the road in a kitchen showroom,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08there's a man who has equally strong ideas.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10I think kitchens is quite a specialist market,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13so whilst an architect - he'd do a fantastic job -
0:09:13 > 0:09:18equally, you know, it's probably best to leave kitchen design
0:09:18 > 0:09:20down to the specialists.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26While kitchen wars wage on in Wales,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29in Winchester, a very different kitchen extension is being put in.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Lisa Matthews and David Pope moved into their Edwardian
0:09:32 > 0:09:35end-of-terrace house in a sought-after conservation area
0:09:35 > 0:09:383½ years ago and were soon joined
0:09:38 > 0:09:40by their daughter, two-year-old Farrah.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43So we did all of the first floor ourselves, including the bathroom -
0:09:43 > 0:09:48all of the plumbing, building the walls, taking out the chimney,
0:09:48 > 0:09:52structural alterations. And then for the loft extension, we did
0:09:52 > 0:09:56employ a builder to do that cos Farrah had arrived by that point.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Buying a house that needed work was the only way
0:09:59 > 0:10:01we could afford to stay in this area
0:10:01 > 0:10:04because there's so much demand for these houses.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06So when this one came up that
0:10:06 > 0:10:09needed completely refurbishing, we kind of jumped on the chance.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12But with Lisa six months pregnant, the two reception rooms
0:10:12 > 0:10:16and pokey kitchen just isn't enough for their growing family.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20The upstairs back bedroom, which is normally the spare bedroom,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23it's really in a state of chaos at the moment.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Both structural engineers, their working life sees them
0:10:26 > 0:10:29designing everything from opera houses to shopping centres.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33They plan to use their wealth of experience to project manage
0:10:33 > 0:10:35the next stage of their development,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37but they've given the job of designing the new extension
0:10:37 > 0:10:40to Poole-based architects Laurence Bowen and Paul Robinson.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Obviously, they needed more space.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46A quite common request that we get is sort of to create an open plan
0:10:46 > 0:10:48living-dining sort of family room,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51and that was what they wanted as well.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54What they also wanted to address was that the existing house had
0:10:54 > 0:10:57no real connection to the rear garden.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Paul and Laurence have a reputation for working with properties in
0:11:00 > 0:11:04conservation areas, which meant they were a perfect fit for this job.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07They've come up with an elegant design that pleases both
0:11:07 > 0:11:08the clients and the planners.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Paul has designed a wooden clad rear extension,
0:11:13 > 0:11:15housing a new kitchen-diner.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18This will link to the main house via a play room, which in turn
0:11:18 > 0:11:20leads onto an open-plan living area.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24It looks simple, but actually there's quite a lot to it
0:11:24 > 0:11:25to get it right.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Ra!
0:11:27 > 0:11:30As project managers, David and Lisa will need
0:11:30 > 0:11:32all their wits about them if they're to bring the single-storey
0:11:32 > 0:11:35extension in on their £55,000 budget
0:11:35 > 0:11:37and tight three-month schedule.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Project managing will save them valuable cash,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43but the budget still has to cover the cost of the build,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46the new kitchen and the architect's design fees.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49And with Lisa due to give birth just four weeks after the completion
0:11:49 > 0:11:52date, Paul and Laurence's plans for their living space need to
0:11:52 > 0:11:53stay on schedule, especially
0:11:53 > 0:11:57since the family are living on site during the build to save money.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00It means moving things around because we can't have
0:12:00 > 0:12:03everything plumbed in at once, so we have to unpl...
0:12:03 > 0:12:07If I want to do a load of laundry, I have to un-plumb the dishwasher,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09re-plumb the washing machine in, and we've got this
0:12:09 > 0:12:14kind of temporary arrangement of waste pipes and buckets and things
0:12:14 > 0:12:18under here. So we chop and change, and hope it doesn't leak too much.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Living with a toddler on site isn't easy either.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26"Those cables are still live", etc. "Don't play with that saw."
0:12:26 > 0:12:29"Take that screwdriver out your mouth."
0:12:30 > 0:12:33To add to the pressure, in an attempt to keep costs down even
0:12:33 > 0:12:37further, David is trying to do as much of the work as he can himself.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40So here we've got the results of last weekend's activity, which
0:12:40 > 0:12:42was removing yet another chimney,
0:12:42 > 0:12:47which was about 500 bricks and about another 60 rubble sacks
0:12:47 > 0:12:51and the loss of another two or 3kg in weight.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Because Lisa and David are trying to save money, Paul and Laurence
0:12:55 > 0:12:58have taken on a very different role to Chris and James in Wales.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Now this project is starting on site, we're not really
0:13:01 > 0:13:04involved in the project management - David and Lisa
0:13:04 > 0:13:07have chosen to take that role themselves.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09They understand the drawings
0:13:09 > 0:13:13and they understand the sequencing of works on site, so we will
0:13:13 > 0:13:17just be there for any support really, that David and Lisa need.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19But project managing your own extension,
0:13:19 > 0:13:22especially when you're heavily pregnant, isn't easy.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26No, I appreciate you're in a sort of difficult position
0:13:26 > 0:13:29cos you're in between the two, but, as you can understand,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32that wasn't what we agreed when we placed the order, so...
0:13:32 > 0:13:35I've just had a call from the doors to say they're going to be
0:13:35 > 0:13:3812 days late.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41But the problem with the doors is that until the doors are in,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44we can't screed the floor, then the screed takes three weeks
0:13:44 > 0:13:46to dry. When you put the timber floor down,
0:13:46 > 0:13:49you can't put the kitchen units in until the timber floor is down,
0:13:49 > 0:13:51so it's going to knock on to everything else.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Project managing their own build means that Lisa
0:13:54 > 0:13:57and David are responsible for making sure everything arrives on time
0:13:57 > 0:13:59and on budget.
0:13:59 > 0:14:00This news could dash any hope
0:14:00 > 0:14:03they have of being in before the baby arrives.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Back in the Vale of Glamorgan, things are really taking shape.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Clients Jon and Marianne are building their dream home.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18They want a hi tech house that will sit snugly
0:14:18 > 0:14:21into the Welsh countryside.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23It's November and they need to get the building
0:14:23 > 0:14:26watertight before the winter takes hold.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30The first step is to give the house a roof, but not any old roof.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35Their architect Chris has given them a highly-insulated living roof.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40One of the reasons that we love flat roofs, apart from the aesthetic,
0:14:40 > 0:14:41the cleanliness of the aesthetic is,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45if you've got to have a roof, why not use that space?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47It becomes...
0:14:47 > 0:14:50It's another floor, a complete new floor
0:14:50 > 0:14:53so it makes perfect sense to us always to
0:14:53 > 0:14:57get up here and use it.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Laying a watertight flat roof that can take
0:14:59 > 0:15:03the weight of a garden takes great skill and care.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08But there's another aspect of the build altogether that's bothering
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Marianne.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15I still haven't chosen the kitchen and it is seriously driving me mad.
0:15:17 > 0:15:18Unlike his client,
0:15:18 > 0:15:23project designer James knows exactly how the kitchen should look.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25In my head and in Chris' head,
0:15:25 > 0:15:29the kitchen is designed and it has been for years.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31If there was a final decision,
0:15:31 > 0:15:36then I think it would be my decision, I think.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39But it might not. Maybe it would be James', I don't know.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42It's a bank of units and an island.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44But Marianne is not convinced.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Flying in the face of James' vision,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50she has called in the expertise of kitchen designer Martyn Harris.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54He's pushing to do away with James' island and join the work surface
0:15:54 > 0:15:57to the wall, cutting off the kitchen from the living area.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01It's very difficult to answer whether an architect is,
0:16:01 > 0:16:02um...
0:16:04 > 0:16:07..really up to speed with what's happening in the kitchen market
0:16:07 > 0:16:09and the products and the way in which a kitchen can be designed.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12I think kitchens is quite a specialist market,
0:16:12 > 0:16:17so whilst they do a fantastic job, equally, you know, it's
0:16:17 > 0:16:22probably best to leave kitchen design down to the specialist.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Ultimately, it's going to come down to the clients' decision.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26By all means, we'll suggest things
0:16:26 > 0:16:29and try to guide people into a situation,
0:16:29 > 0:16:32but it is always their house at the end of the day
0:16:32 > 0:16:35and, you know, overall,
0:16:35 > 0:16:41it won't make too much difference to the project, I tell myself.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Today, Marianne has decided to bring the kitchen battle to the fore.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48She's meeting up with both James and Martyn to see if a solution
0:16:48 > 0:16:52can be found, even if it takes knocking their heads together.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Martyn's the kitchen designer, and he's passionate
0:16:55 > 0:17:00about the kitchen, and James is an architect, but he wants
0:17:00 > 0:17:05to have a say in the kitchen as well so I think it will be interesting.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08James has been trying to persuade Marianne to have a kitchen island,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11whereas designer Martyn had been pushing to join the work surface
0:17:11 > 0:17:14into what he likes to call a peninsula.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- Lovely to see you. - Nice to see you. This is Martyn.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- I don't think you've met. - Hi James, nice to meet you.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21We've spoke a lot on the phone, but never met.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24They may not have met, but James has been e-mailing Martyn,
0:17:24 > 0:17:26encouraging him to come up with a compromise.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29But James has no idea if his reasoning has fallen on deaf
0:17:29 > 0:17:33ears or if Martyn has taken his wish for an island on board.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Is this ending up with a wider island than we had?
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- Yes. And that's all doable? - Absolutely.- In one material.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43So it's a continent? It's not an island, it's a continent!
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Yes, basically.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49It's huge, but, I mean, it's fantastic -
0:17:49 > 0:17:51it's given you all the work surface space you want.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56- Is that a winning point for you? - He's so pleased, look at him!
0:17:56 > 0:17:57I am quite happy about that.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- There will be nothing to touch it. - Absolutely.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- It will be the ultimate kitchen... - Yeah.- ..in the ultimate home.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- Yeah. Aw, thanks for that, Martyn. - You're welcome, any time.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- Thank you.- We'll catch up again soon.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11And the island's not too big that I can't reach the centre of it, is it?
0:18:11 > 0:18:13No, I don't think so.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17Like I said, I was really confident that, having discussed it with
0:18:17 > 0:18:20everyone in the office, that the island was the best way to go.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- It was just making sure that we get...- It was just finding a way
0:18:23 > 0:18:24- that we got enough work... - Yeah, exactly,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27and to make sure that you get the sink you need
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- and everything like that. - Yeah, yeah. It's workable.
0:18:29 > 0:18:30OK, see you, then.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33It seems James' off-the-book negotiations have averted
0:18:33 > 0:18:35a crisis in Wales.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40In Winchester, the modern kitchen extension for Lisa and David's
0:18:40 > 0:18:42Edwardian house is powering ahead.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46Architects Paul and Laurence pride themselves on combining old and new.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Today, they're heading to the Purbecks in Dorset to
0:18:49 > 0:18:52look around one of the first projects they completed together -
0:18:52 > 0:18:54another modern extension on an old property.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57You know, it is nice to do new build houses,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00but we did set ourselves out that, you know,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03good design should be accessible to everyone
0:19:03 > 0:19:06and to do somebody's extension or
0:19:06 > 0:19:09re-design somebody's kitchen that could all equally be designed.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16The cottage had been converted into two holiday lets.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21Paul and Laurence's client wanted to return it to one family home.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23The thing that we tried to do was basically just,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25with an extension and a refurb, try
0:19:25 > 0:19:29and pull the whole building back together so that it flowed
0:19:29 > 0:19:33and it could be used by a family, really, as one home.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Paul and Laurence sacrificed a bedroom,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40taking out the ceiling and putting in supersized windows to
0:19:40 > 0:19:44create a light-filled kitchen-diner with a double-height ceiling space
0:19:44 > 0:19:47that links into the new glass extension.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51As with all projects,
0:19:51 > 0:19:55it becomes about how spaces function,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57how you flow from one space to the next,
0:19:57 > 0:20:01what the daylight is doing, how the spaces open up onto the garden.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05I mean, that was a big key design factor in Winchester. It was
0:20:05 > 0:20:07reconnecting the existing house to the garden.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10And that's what we've achieved here as well.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Their client paid £610,000 for the cottage
0:20:14 > 0:20:18and spent a further £180,000 on the extension and refurbishment,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21giving them a traditional home with a twist.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26We had a bit of a laugh when we did the table...
0:20:28 > 0:20:30..cos...
0:20:30 > 0:20:34everyone thought that originally I got the scale wrong.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- I think it's spot-on! - I think it's spot-on.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39It's the sort of thing I need in my garden.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44I think it's weathered really nicely.
0:20:44 > 0:20:50I guess it's completely dictated by how many friends you've got.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Back in Winchester, Paul and Laurence's most recent project
0:20:53 > 0:20:58isn't going so smoothly. Because it's a conservation area, they need
0:20:58 > 0:21:01planning approval for the exterior wooden cladding Paul has specified
0:21:01 > 0:21:03in his designs.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Lisa gives birth in four weeks.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08They've just been given the news that it's going to be eight weeks
0:21:08 > 0:21:09before they'll get a decision.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Although Paul isn't overseeing the build,
0:21:11 > 0:21:16any planning issues are down to him, so he's back on site.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18I think it's ridiculous that it's eight weeks.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22I spoke to the Planning Officer
0:21:22 > 0:21:24and said that you were pressing ahead on site anyway,
0:21:24 > 0:21:28regardless, but it is as we have always shown on our drawings.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Backs against the wall, David and Lisa have been forced to take a
0:21:32 > 0:21:36risk and put the cladding up without having planning permission in place.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38If the planners don't agree to the wooden cladding, it will
0:21:38 > 0:21:42have to come down, which would cost this cash-strapped couple a fortune.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45It is still a risk though, and it's a risk that we're taking on.
0:21:45 > 0:21:46Yeah.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48But there's not really anything else we can do here.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51The bigger risk is that we don't have the thing
0:21:51 > 0:21:52finished for Christmas.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56We can't not install the cladding because until the walls are clad,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59they could still be getting damp and we can't plaster on the inside.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01If we can't plaster, we can't put the floor down.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04If we can't put the floor down, we can't install a kitchen and,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- you know...- It delays everything. - Yeah.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08It's a frustrating time for everyone,
0:22:08 > 0:22:12but a not-uncommon situation for Paul and his partner Laurence.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Fundamentally, I think it's
0:22:15 > 0:22:19the people with the design expertise,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21visionary thinking,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24ultimately don't make those decisions, it goes to somebody
0:22:24 > 0:22:28else, and they're just looking at Planning policies. They may
0:22:28 > 0:22:32not even have any design education, and they're making the decisions.
0:22:32 > 0:22:38So, I think that puts a stop to a lot more sort of forward thinking,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42creative architecture and design in this country.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47But there is some good news - with a bit of foot stamping from Lisa,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50the doors arrive on site, be it eleven days later than scheduled.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54That door... One of the edge of the panels between the bi-fold
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- doors is right in the middle of the coridoor.- It is.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59That is a complete fluke. That's quite good.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02It was designed, wasn't it?! That's architecture.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Yes, yeah sorry... That's Paul's specific detail, yeah!
0:23:08 > 0:23:10It's the last day where we're going to be so cold, hopefully.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13So as of the end of today, if all the doors fit,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16we'll be watertight, draught proof.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Still no heating, but it'll be better than basically living outdoors.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24- You can still see your breath in here.- Yeah.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32A month later and the family are gearing up for Christmas.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- Reindeer!- It is.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38# Have a shiny nose! #
0:23:38 > 0:23:42David is desperately trying to get the new kitchen installed and
0:23:42 > 0:23:45the build finished off before the imminent arrival of baby number two.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- David's been working really hard. - Like a glove.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51He's been fitting the kitchen and the appliances
0:23:51 > 0:23:54and doing the flooring.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57I had this great plan that I was going to help do the floor
0:23:57 > 0:23:59cos there's this old wives' tale that scrubbing floors is good
0:23:59 > 0:24:02for preparing the baby, to get them into the right position for birth.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05I spent about four hours on the first day, which was fine,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08and then the second day, I just thought, "Do you know what,
0:24:08 > 0:24:09"I can't be doing this!"
0:24:09 > 0:24:14We're, what, four weeks away from having another child.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Everything's been focused on getting this finished,
0:24:16 > 0:24:21but the focus is going to shift massively very soon.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25The race is on to get the build finished in time.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32It's been four months since structural engineers
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Lisa and David started the building project that would
0:24:35 > 0:24:38turn their house into the home of their dreams.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40It was always touch and go whether they'd get it
0:24:40 > 0:24:42finished in time for the arrival of their new baby.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Their architect Paul is on his way to find out.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50- Hi, David.- Afternoon, Paul. - Good to see you.- Come in.- Thank you.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52Four months ago, David
0:24:52 > 0:24:56and Lisa's house had two small sitting rooms and a cramped kitchen.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Thanks to a final push from David, the build was completed
0:25:02 > 0:25:04on schedule and on budget.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08They now have a beautiful open-plan sitting room
0:25:08 > 0:25:11and a play area where the old kitchen once was.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16And down at garden level, their new kitchen with its large glass doors
0:25:16 > 0:25:17is full of light.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21And it turns out the extension isn't the only new thing in Lisa
0:25:21 > 0:25:22and David's life -
0:25:22 > 0:25:25baby Ellis has made a well-timed appearance.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28So was it all a bit frantic with baby arriving
0:25:28 > 0:25:31- and trying to finish the building? - It was really frantic.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33I think we got the central heating back about three days
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- before he arrived.- Yep.- And did you manage to get everything finalised,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- ready for Christmas? - Yeah. We had Christmas lunch here.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44We had our roast turkey in our new oven, in our new kitchen.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Obviously, the kids have got an area where they can play
0:25:50 > 0:25:53and we can have a bit more of our own space, but also they can engage
0:25:53 > 0:25:57with the outside when it's not quite so wet and windy out there.
0:25:57 > 0:26:03And also, extending back, it gave you that connection to the garden.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06The way it sits at the lower level is what makes such a big
0:26:06 > 0:26:09difference for actually engaging with the garden.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Beforehand, you had to walk out at this point
0:26:12 > 0:26:16and then kind of walk down some steps and get into the garden.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- Yeah.- So you didn't feel that connected, whereas now,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22although the garden isn't turfed just yet,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25you can already feel it coming into your house.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28And you get that view right from the moment you walk back there,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31where you're aware that you've got this almost slight glimpse
0:26:31 > 0:26:33- through to the garden. - It just entices you through.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36It gives you a glimpse that there's something beyond this room
0:26:36 > 0:26:39that maybe looks a little bit different.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46How much time do you spend in this room now?
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Lots. Huge amount.
0:26:49 > 0:26:50Yeah, yeah. We can sit around the table.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53The kids can play down there. I can sit on the sofa.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Someone can cook dinner at the same time,
0:26:55 > 0:27:00and it brings together all of those facets into that nice big
0:27:00 > 0:27:02social space, which we were always looking for.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05So it has changed, doing this work to your house,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07it has kind of changed the way you live.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- Completely, yeah. - Yeah, absolutely.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16The aspiration of an architect is really to enhance people's
0:27:16 > 0:27:20lives and to be able to do that by enhancing the space that
0:27:20 > 0:27:22they're living in, it's a good feeling,
0:27:22 > 0:27:24when you get that right.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27I think that was the biggest
0:27:27 > 0:27:30and hardest project we've taken on outside of our jobs.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32I find it difficult to say
0:27:32 > 0:27:36cos I think having babies is quite hard. It's harder!
0:27:36 > 0:27:40- You're putting them in "project" box, are you?- Yeah!
0:27:42 > 0:27:45How are you doing on the budget for that one?
0:27:45 > 0:27:48The coffee and cake budget is out the window.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56The problem now is that the really lovely new bit makes all
0:27:56 > 0:27:59the bits we'd already refurbished look like they need doing again.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Oh, does it? Oh, no, don't say that!
0:28:03 > 0:28:06- Really?!- Well, maybe, yeah. - Oh, dear.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11That's not what I wanted to hear!
0:28:15 > 0:28:19Next time, an ugly '80's house gets a total facelift.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23It was the most un-modernised house that we'd seen.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25And in Wales, disaster strikes.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27We've had some bad news.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32Unfortunately, Marianne is now in hospital.