0:00:02 > 0:00:05Have you ever dreamed of living in a home built specially for you?
0:00:05 > 0:00:09Or 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 > 0:00:20My own interior style is just coolness.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23We're following some of the nation's architects leading
0:00:23 > 0:00:26the way in ground-breaking design and innovation.
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 > 0:00:36That's not good.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38..and blueprints.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41This is the classic sleepless night project if I'm being honest.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43And the clients who hire them...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- It's like working with the Chuckle Brothers.- Ho, ho, ho!
0:00:46 > 0:00:49You've got a very strange understanding of the word "today".
0:00:49 > 0:00:51How do you know your calculations are right?
0:00:51 > 0:00:54And draw on their seven years of study...
0:00:54 > 0:00:56I will go with the architects up here then I'm afraid.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58..to solve everyday problems.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Seriously, this is a serious bad day.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04All in the name of making the properties we dream of
0:01:04 > 0:01:05become a reality.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Today, the extraordinary upside down house in Wales
0:01:23 > 0:01:25reaches a critical stage.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29- Whoa, whoa, whoa! - Go forward, go forward.
0:01:29 > 0:01:34Very tense. It sounded like there was some cracking noises.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38And the future of the entire project hangs in the balance
0:01:38 > 0:01:40when disaster strikes.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Unfortunately, Marianne is now in hospital.
0:01:43 > 0:01:48And in Hertfordshire, a family spots potential in an unloved house.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52It was the most unmodernised house that we'd seen.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55But will their dreams be dashed by their architect?
0:01:55 > 0:01:58And of course, when I said to Simon and Nicky, you know,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00the planners would like your house to be pebbledash,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02they weren't best pleased.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10In the Vale of Glamorgan, an ultra-modern, future-proof house
0:02:10 > 0:02:15is being built for husband and wife, Marianne and Jon Cowpe.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18I think this gives us an option never to have to move again
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- if we don't want to. - Oh, that's right.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Their inspiration was twofold, the view...
0:02:24 > 0:02:26God, it's fantastic, isn't it?
0:02:26 > 0:02:28It's going to be amazing.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30..and looking to the future.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33We're all growing older and they wanted a house that they
0:02:33 > 0:02:35could live in for the rest of their days.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38They commissioned local architects Loyn & Co to design this
0:02:38 > 0:02:41impressive £842,000 build.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Going up the ladder. It's all right though, isn't it?
0:02:45 > 0:02:48It's designed as an upside down house with all the living rooms
0:02:48 > 0:02:51on the first floor to capture the view and they hope to get
0:02:51 > 0:02:55the whole building up and finished in just ten months.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Marianne has been totally across every aspect of the build.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01She's on site every day and holds regular site meetings.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Generally we are still looking at target completion
0:03:05 > 0:03:07although we are a bit stretched on that front
0:03:07 > 0:03:11- but we're still endeavouring to meet 21st March.- Great.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15It's early December and three and a half months
0:03:15 > 0:03:16into the ten month project,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19the building isn't yet watertight but James Stroud,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21the project designer, is making a site visit
0:03:21 > 0:03:24to pin down the finer details of the interior with Marianne.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27Morning!
0:03:27 > 0:03:30That's one of our key roles, to live in the space
0:03:30 > 0:03:32and walk through the spaces
0:03:32 > 0:03:36and journey through the house before the building's there,
0:03:36 > 0:03:37before the client does that
0:03:37 > 0:03:41so that they instinctively interact with the house.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43They go for a light switch, it's there.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46They go, "Oh, I need a socket." It's there.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51That is one of the advantages of a bespoke house.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54We have got a socket here...
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- Yes.- ..in case you have a table or something.- Yeah.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01We have got a socket just down there,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- likely position for a Christmas tree potentially.- Yes.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06Shall we move on to the bedrooms?
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Yeah. You don't think we need any there on that wall?
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Personally, no.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Not even as a precaution?
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Erm, well, I think if you're going to do anything here you're more
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- likely to...- Just put a query by it. - OK.- ..and I'll discuss it.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25You're more than likely to have a chair there and a unit there.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Marianne and James don't always see eye to eye.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31I think that full wall should be a mirror at the end.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- I don't think that's going to happen.- Why?
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- Because I don't want one. - You don't want a mirror?
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- I don't need it.- Don't you want a full height mirror? It'll be fine.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Yeah, OK.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45- I'm not convinced. - You're not convinced?- No.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49I think it's important that any decision is debated.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54And then you've got a shaver point, just one in your en suite.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Yeah. Would it be worth having two in there?
0:04:57 > 0:04:58I don't think so.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Whist Marianne has a say in everything,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08her husband, Jon, is taking more of a back seat.
0:05:08 > 0:05:09There's my room, up there.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15All my furniture and as many pictures as I can get in.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19I think the pictures are the big problem
0:05:19 > 0:05:22because we haven't got many walls. It's all glass.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Unless of course I was allowed to put all my pictures on the big wall
0:05:25 > 0:05:28at the back there but that won't happen.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29You know that?
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Yeah, I know that.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35The new house has always been Marianne's vision.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39She's driven the build every step of the way and Jon's happy with that.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41I don't want the hassle.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I'm quite happy to just watch it materialise.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48But just five weeks later, as the site shuts down for Christmas,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50everything to do with the build,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53including Jon's hands off approach, gets turned on its head.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57We've had some bad news.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Unfortunately, Marianne is now in hospital.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17In Hertfordshire, in the middle of Berkhamsted's conservation area,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20on a quiet residential street of tidy Edwardian
0:06:20 > 0:06:23and Victorian houses, sits this,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26an homage to 1980s architecture.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29To most people it might look like an eyesore
0:06:29 > 0:06:31but not to Simon and Nicky Watson.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Yewtree Cottage was definitely love at first sight for us.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35It was so different.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38And I think because originally we had in mind that we would buy
0:06:38 > 0:06:42a period property wherever we moved to, seeing something that
0:06:42 > 0:06:44kind of was slightly off the wall for us really, I think
0:06:44 > 0:06:48it just really got us thinking about what we wanted from a family home.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51Company director Simon and his wife, fashion buyer Nicky
0:06:51 > 0:06:54are moving from London with their three-year-old daughter, Darcy,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56in search of more space
0:06:56 > 0:06:59and somewhere they can put their mark on.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02We were looking for a renovation project so we were only
0:07:02 > 0:07:04looking at unmodernised houses,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07and that's why this fitted the bill so well.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11It was the most unmodernised house that we'd seen.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13They bought the house six months ago.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17Because it's in such a state they're living in rented accommodation
0:07:17 > 0:07:18until the work's done
0:07:18 > 0:07:20but they're confident they've done the right thing.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22We really liked the street.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25The street has a lovely feel about it, it's very quiet,
0:07:25 > 0:07:26some lovely houses.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29So I think it was that classic thing
0:07:29 > 0:07:31of buying the worst house on the street nearly...
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- Hmm.- ..which is some respects was something that we talked about doing
0:07:34 > 0:07:37and trying to add value on a very nice street.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Nicky and Simon have asked award-winning architect
0:07:44 > 0:07:48Bob Thompson to help them transform their ugly duckling of a house.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51It's quite an unusual house. It's a split level house.
0:07:51 > 0:07:57It's quite tired now and it doesn't really work as a family house.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03So what we're trying to do is to bring it up to 21st century.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06After working on Berkhamsted's buildings for the last 30 years,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09he knows not only the area but also, crucially,
0:08:09 > 0:08:11the local planning officers.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Bob put our minds at ease somewhat from his dealings with
0:08:16 > 0:08:18the local authority.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21We talked through what we wanted to do
0:08:21 > 0:08:25and Bob thought we'd get away with what we wanted basically.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28And what Nicky and Simon want is huge.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31They're not just building a simple extension, they're gutting
0:08:31 > 0:08:34the house and completely transforming it inside and out.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37The first thing is we're changing the colour of the building
0:08:37 > 0:08:40because it's brick at the moment and it's going to be rendered.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43The second thing is we're changing both the way the windows
0:08:43 > 0:08:48are sub-divided and also in these cases, we're replacing the whole
0:08:48 > 0:08:52garage door with a window and then a patio door there with a window.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Around the back we are changing the form because we're building
0:08:56 > 0:09:00a small extension which comes out from where the garage was, although
0:09:00 > 0:09:06that's being kept quite low key with a flat roof and roof light over.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Nicky and Simon want to take their new home from a dated '80s
0:09:11 > 0:09:15carbuncle to a modern family home in just three months.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Inside is being totally reconfigured.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21It is going to be a very attractive property I would say
0:09:21 > 0:09:25because it's sort of... You get the best of both worlds.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29You get a modern house, which, although it's a reconditioned
0:09:29 > 0:09:34modern house, which has a little bit more width about it than the,
0:09:34 > 0:09:38say the terraced Victorian or Edwardian houses.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Downstairs the garage is being converted into a family room.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45So through that wall there, we are making an opening
0:09:45 > 0:09:50and there will be a staircase down to the area which is currently
0:09:50 > 0:09:54the garage and is going to be the family room which has an extension.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Upstairs they want to increase the number of bedrooms
0:09:56 > 0:09:58from three to five.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02It's not a bad space but in order to create the extra bedrooms
0:10:02 > 0:10:07we're subdividing this into two with an en suite in the middle.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Bob may have come up with the design for the build
0:10:11 > 0:10:14but it's up to Ray Jeffrey's company to manage the project
0:10:14 > 0:10:17and he's all too aware of the ambitious job ahead of him.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20There's not a lot of the existing features that are remaining.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24The heating, electrical, plumbing, all being ripped out
0:10:24 > 0:10:26and started again. Internal joinery is all being changed
0:10:26 > 0:10:31so there's not a lot of existing features that are remaining.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34It's probably not substantial enough to consider demolishing
0:10:34 > 0:10:38and starting again but nevertheless it is substantial.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Work started a month ago.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42The original garage door has already been removed
0:10:42 > 0:10:45and replaced with distinctive grey windows.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48The other end is being opened up with bi-fold doors
0:10:48 > 0:10:49leading into the garden.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Outside, a first coat of render is being applied,
0:10:57 > 0:11:01covering up the 1980s red engineered brick once and for all.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03We're full under way now with the external rendering
0:11:03 > 0:11:06which at this time of year can be a real problem.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Obviously we've got to keep an eye on the temperature.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11We seem to have a mild snap at the moment
0:11:11 > 0:11:14so we're making good use of that timescale and hopefully
0:11:14 > 0:11:17we'll get it pretty much complete before the weather changes.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21The trouble is if they don't render now they'll fall behind schedule.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23It's a risk they have to take.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I mean, to be honest, I don't think you can beat a nice
0:11:26 > 0:11:31bit of render but then I would say that because I'm a renderer.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35Many a time we can be snookered by the weather
0:11:35 > 0:11:39and it could be weeks before we can get back on that particular element
0:11:39 > 0:11:43of the works but better that than to have to do it twice.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46But a change in the weather could be the least of their worries.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Work has started before they have planning permission in place
0:11:49 > 0:11:50for the colour of their render.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53This may just have come back to bite them.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Nicky and Simon have always wanted their house to be white.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58As architect, it's Bob's job to try to get this past
0:11:58 > 0:12:01the tough conservation regulations in the area and
0:12:01 > 0:12:03he's just had some troubling news.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06I remember when I spoke to the planning officer initially
0:12:06 > 0:12:08and I explained this.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12She said, "Well, perhaps, you know, stark white might not be
0:12:12 > 0:12:16"so acceptable in the conservation area."
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Which I had anticipated to be honest.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22But I wasn't quite prepared for the degree to which,
0:12:22 > 0:12:26when the conservation officer had also looked at it,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29they were beginning to say, "Well, no, we don't want anything close
0:12:29 > 0:12:33"to white, we want really a colour closer to pebbledash".
0:12:33 > 0:12:36And, of course, when I said to Simon and Nicky, you know,
0:12:36 > 0:12:38the planners would like your house to be pebbledash,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42they weren't best pleased because that really was a long way
0:12:42 > 0:12:44from their vision from what the house was.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Bob's reputation and diplomatic skills are about to be tested
0:12:47 > 0:12:50to the limit if he has any hope of finding a way
0:12:50 > 0:12:52through the pebbledash debacle.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59In the Vale of Glamorgan, the construction of Marianne and Jon's
0:12:59 > 0:13:03state of the art upside down house has been hit by a disaster.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06On Boxing Day, with the site closed for Christmas,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Marianne's rushed into hospital
0:13:08 > 0:13:11with a life-threatening infection in her hip.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16She's going to be more or less out of circulation for at least
0:13:16 > 0:13:18another good 12 weeks.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Up to now, Marianne has been the driving force behind the new house.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Jon not only has the stress of worrying about his wife
0:13:25 > 0:13:27but also who will take on her role of overseeing the build
0:13:27 > 0:13:30and making decisions when the contractors return.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33All of us now, all involved in the project.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38If possible I'm obviously going to try and get to the site meetings.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43What's important is that we make sure that nothing sort of slips
0:13:43 > 0:13:47through that Marianne's not... aware of.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54A week later and the builders are back.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00True to his word, Jon is getting stuck in with site meetings
0:14:00 > 0:14:02and James is taking the lead.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05News from hospital is that Marianne is slowly on the mend
0:14:05 > 0:14:07and is well enough to speak.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09She did say that to me this morning.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12She said, "Oh, you're going to love it now because you're in charge."
0:14:12 > 0:14:15And I said, "Oh, I've always been in charge!"
0:14:15 > 0:14:17I was only joking.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21James may jest about being in charge but deep down he knows who's boss.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- That's for Marianne, just from us. - Oh, thank you.- It's not a bill!
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- It's a thank you card. - Oh, and that's for her as well?
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- And these are flooring samples. Lighter...- Yeah.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- I'll get Luke to take those in today.- Great.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- I'll put this over there with the stuff he's got to take.- OK.
0:14:36 > 0:14:3924 weeks into the 40-week build,
0:14:39 > 0:14:43the glass that makes up the entire front of the house has arrived.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46In total, it's cost a massive £65,000.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49A special crane has been brought to site to lift
0:14:49 > 0:14:50the glass into position.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53The glass just absolutely transforms the space.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Everyone is a lot happier because it's watertight,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58it releases the building to a lot more trades
0:14:58 > 0:15:01and it's a great moment for everyone.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06And it'll make it a bit warmer for my visits as well.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09The majority of the glazing is to the front of the building
0:15:09 > 0:15:13which faces south and so gets the greatest amount of natural daylight.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16There are fewer windows at the back to prevent heat loss.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19The structure is long and narrow, allowing all the living spaces
0:15:19 > 0:15:22and bedrooms to benefit from the natural light.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Putting the windows in is a difficult job.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Particularly, you know, our projects and a lot of modern buildings do
0:15:30 > 0:15:34have much bigger windows than we're used to. It's just a fact really.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37One, two, three.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41The panes of glass cost between £700 and a whopping £6,000 each,
0:15:41 > 0:15:44so James's team have to take great care.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50What we've got to watch is this one, all right?
0:15:50 > 0:15:52The glaziers come to the trickiest
0:15:52 > 0:15:55and one of the largest pieces of glass to fit.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59It's no mean feat to lever an enormous pane of reinforced glass
0:15:59 > 0:16:01onto the second floor of the house...
0:16:04 > 0:16:07..held in place by only four giant suckers.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- Let's just get it in, it's staying in, all right?- Yeah.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14This manoeuvre takes a great deal of skill and a lot of teamwork.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- Whoa, whoa, whoa! - Go forward, go forward.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Right, up a bit.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Dean, pull it up with the sucker. Pull it up with the sucker, Dean.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Right, down. Let him off. Let him off.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28All James can do is look on.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Take the weight off.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35Very tense. It sounded like there was some cracking noises.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Yeah, all right. Hold it there.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Yeah, that's the worst one of the whole job put in so there we go.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46It's all uphill from here.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Is it secure? So we can relax and say well done?
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Well done!
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Relax.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Brilliant, well done, guys.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00While James leaves with his heart in his mouth,
0:17:00 > 0:17:02the glaziers crack on, thankfully, not literally.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Arriving back on site the next day to take
0:17:07 > 0:17:10photos for Marianne, James is greeted by some particularly
0:17:10 > 0:17:14grotty weather but also a watertight building.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16It's a good job they got this finished
0:17:16 > 0:17:17before this weather came in.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23The roof light looks really cool and it's going to be great
0:17:23 > 0:17:27when you're up here as this is a terrace looking down.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31In fact, I think this could be the place where you might just tap
0:17:31 > 0:17:33and order another G&T.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38But that's all a long way off for Marianne who's still in hospital.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Only when she returns can James be confident that she's happy
0:17:41 > 0:17:43with progress on her dream home.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52In Berkhamsted, architect Bob is attempting to transform an ugly '80s
0:17:52 > 0:17:56house into a stunning contemporary family home for Simon and Nicky.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57Do you want to start in here then?
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Shall we start actually just around this corner?
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Work is well under way and an opening has been formed to
0:18:02 > 0:18:06join the hi-tech kitchen with the new living room on the lower level.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Homeowner Simon has come to have a look.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12Morning, morning.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16I think once you're stood in the kitchen
0:18:16 > 0:18:19and the dining room area here, you'll be able to see through
0:18:19 > 0:18:23into the living room and it really opens the house up.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26It's going to have a very different feel and I can't wait to see
0:18:26 > 0:18:30the staircase in and feel that flow of space.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Outside Simon and Nicky wanted their house to be rendered in white
0:18:33 > 0:18:36but the planners have come back to say they would like it
0:18:36 > 0:18:39to be the colour of pebbledash to blend in with the street.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42It's a long way from the stark, clean finish Simon and Nicky
0:18:42 > 0:18:44were looking for.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Bob's brought some paint samples to show Simon
0:18:46 > 0:18:48that he thinks might get past the planners.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- So this is the sample that I've sent off to the planners.- Yeah?
0:18:56 > 0:18:59And so hopefully...
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Again, it's got a slightly...
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- slight green tinge.- Yeah, yeah.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07It's got a... It's not a cold grey.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- No.- We were concerned it would be a cold grey.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13What do you think, Ray? Do you like that?
0:19:13 > 0:19:16It's a personal choice but, yeah,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- I don't see how they can object to that really.- Yeah.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21It's awkward because normally planners don't,
0:19:21 > 0:19:23aren't interested in colour.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26It's just because we're in a conservation area and, you know,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29this isn't even an old house but they've got that control so...
0:19:29 > 0:19:30Yeah.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35While painting plans are put on hold outside,
0:19:35 > 0:19:36inside, it's full steam ahead.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43For Nicky, it's a chance to start seeing her dream realised.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47This is Ray who is our superb decorator.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- Hiya.- So I was just saying this is the first room that we've
0:19:50 > 0:19:52actually got some colour in really, isn't it, as well?
0:19:52 > 0:19:55I've done one upstairs as well but we can't get in there at the moment.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- Yeah, OK.- Yeah, this should be finished by the end of today.- Yeah.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02The last sort of two weeks now we're starting to get decoration in,
0:20:02 > 0:20:06finishes are starting to come alive, colours are going on the walls,
0:20:06 > 0:20:08tiles are going down with the bathroom as well.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12Yes, it's starting to all take shape and it's starting to just become...
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Well, it's starting to look like a family home.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Everything's coming together indoors but there's a problem,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21the staircase leading from the kitchen to the living room
0:20:21 > 0:20:25has been installed and it's left a sore point.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29So this area here in the house is where the, used to be the garage
0:20:29 > 0:20:31actually links with the kitchen
0:20:31 > 0:20:34and then within this our original plan was to
0:20:34 > 0:20:38look at a glass balustrade because, as you can imagine,
0:20:38 > 0:20:42it's quite dangerous at the moment with the edge of the stairs.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45But the challenge we have at the moment is that the way that
0:20:45 > 0:20:48the staircase has been created structurally leaves us
0:20:48 > 0:20:53with this lovely point here so we're trying to find a solution
0:20:53 > 0:20:57to how we can minimise the height of this because this is actually
0:20:57 > 0:21:02part of the structural staircase. So this, we can't actually cut this off.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Sawing the piece of wood off wouldn't give enough support
0:21:05 > 0:21:07to the top of the stairs. As architect,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10sorting out this problem is definitely Bob's department.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13The only solution is to take a closer look at the staircase,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16even if it means taking up the newly-laid flooring.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Well, I think, yeah, maybe if we just fix...
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- If we get a couple of... - Yeah.- ..bolts into here,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- right into that. - Fixes into that to pick that up.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27To pick that up, yeah, that's going to do it, yeah.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29So really we're relying on, we're relying on these which,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- you know, have got to be solid anyway...- They are solid, yeah.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36..because they're picking up the edge of the floor, so yeah.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- I think that will be easier.- OK.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41And then we can, yeah, and then we can take off the,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44then we can take off the top so yeah.
0:21:44 > 0:21:45The staircase may be sorted,
0:21:45 > 0:21:50but the thorny issue of the paint colour for the house rumbles on.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Brothers Dave and Martin
0:21:52 > 0:21:55are continuing to render over the external walls.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Are you pleased with it?
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Of course I'm pleased with it, yeah.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02It doesn't matter if we're pleased with it, does it?
0:22:02 > 0:22:04It wouldn't be right if I wasn't. We wouldn't leave it
0:22:04 > 0:22:06if we wasn't pleased with it.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08No, yeah, we're happy with it. It'll look nice.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14For now, the house will stay the colour of the render,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17not quite the beautiful swan they'd hoped for.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Now that it's dried out you can see that it's quite yellow
0:22:21 > 0:22:24and we certainly probably wouldn't have chosen those colour windows
0:22:24 > 0:22:28if we'd known that it was going to be that colour
0:22:28 > 0:22:30so it really isn't,
0:22:30 > 0:22:32it isn't the desired colour.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35It's interesting but it's not quite right.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47But just when it seems Nicky and Simon are destined to life
0:22:47 > 0:22:50in a yellow house, Bob gets news on the planning front.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53The conservation officer has signed the house off with the render
0:22:53 > 0:22:56un-painted and with his knowledge of the planning regulations
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Bob spots a loophole.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03So by accepting the natural render finish we now have a
0:23:03 > 0:23:07piece of paper which signs off the whole planning application.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Actually painting the render now is something that can be done
0:23:11 > 0:23:15under permitted development so it doesn't need planning permission.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20The planners could have removed the right to paint the walls
0:23:20 > 0:23:24when they gave permission but they didn't,
0:23:24 > 0:23:29so as an architect we need to understand the planning rules
0:23:29 > 0:23:32and we need to understand the rules,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35the parts of the planning regulations
0:23:35 > 0:23:37that allow you to do things without permission.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Most of the time you can build small extensions at the rear
0:23:40 > 0:23:44of the house, you can do a porch and you can paint the walls
0:23:44 > 0:23:47a different colour, you can even change windows,
0:23:47 > 0:23:52so it's just in a conservation area there are some more restrictions.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55Ten weeks have passed.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59The builders have left site and Bob is back to see if Simon and Nicky
0:23:59 > 0:24:02have achieved their dream of transforming their outdated '80s
0:24:02 > 0:24:05doer upper into the clean, white contemporary home they dreamt of.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09They've done it.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13The dated red bricks are now a classy, contemporary white render.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- Hi, Simon.- Good to see you.- Yep. - Hey, come in.- Hi, Nicky.- Hello.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- Good to see you.- Hi, Darcy. Hello.- Shy!
0:24:23 > 0:24:24Wow.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28The once dark and dingy entrance hall is now bright
0:24:28 > 0:24:31and inviting to match the new front door.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Just four and a half months ago
0:24:33 > 0:24:35the brand-new kitchen diner was a building site.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Now it's a stunning, light-filled space for the family.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42One of the most complicated aspects of the build was to turn
0:24:42 > 0:24:46the existing lower level garage into a bright family space.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50Bob's staircase now fits seamlessly into the stairwell
0:24:50 > 0:24:52and downstairs is stunning.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59And it looks like Bob's delivered Nicky her family home just in time.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01They're expecting another baby.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Wow.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07- Lovely, yeah.- Obviously the finished article of a kitchen now.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11I mean, that's great, isn't it? With the doors open on a day like today.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- Hmm.- Yeah, it's made it amazingly bright in here.
0:25:14 > 0:25:15It is incredibly bright.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Even on a dark day it never feels, it never feels dark.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20It's a very nice space to be in.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23- It was always difficult just to know how open to make it.- Yeah.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27In fact, because we just made it slightly wider you just get
0:25:27 > 0:25:30- that sense of space, don't you? - Yeah.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33And I guess you can just keep an eye on what's going on down there.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36You can actually generally, you can, yes, that's right.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39- Yeah.- You can see most things that are happening down there.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Our old property was a typical London lower ground floor flat...
0:25:42 > 0:25:44- Oh, right.- ..which, you know,
0:25:44 > 0:25:47I mean, for us having all this light, it's a shock to the system.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Yeah, no, definitely. Yeah.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Upstairs they've added two bedrooms
0:25:52 > 0:25:55and two additional en suite bathrooms.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59I think what they've managed to achieve here is both to bring
0:25:59 > 0:26:01the house up to date but actually, and I think this is
0:26:01 > 0:26:04the sort of thing that we would hopefully always bring to
0:26:04 > 0:26:08a project like this, is to make it more than something of the past,
0:26:08 > 0:26:12to make it a house that actually is a better house that, both from
0:26:12 > 0:26:16what was there before and hopefully better than they anticipated because
0:26:16 > 0:26:20the sorts of spaces and sorts of use of light that the end result
0:26:20 > 0:26:25is a five bedroom house so in property turns it's more valuable,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29more saleable but at the same time, it works as a family house.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Simon and Nicky are delighted with the interior of their architect
0:26:34 > 0:26:37designed home and Bob's knowledge of the planning regulations
0:26:37 > 0:26:40means they've also got the exterior colour they were after.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43All that's left to do now is landscape the garden.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46I think the colour works really, really well.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49It's not too bright, it's subtle.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53- And it looks different in every light.- Yeah, it does. Yeah.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56So when you see it round the back in full sunlight
0:26:56 > 0:26:59or when you see it here, a bit more in shade,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02- it looks slightly different.- And it just sets off the window colour.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Yeah, yeah.
0:27:08 > 0:27:09- It was challenging.- Yeah.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12You know, the local authority planning department,
0:27:12 > 0:27:17- conservation officers, everyone had their own input.- Yeah.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- We tested a lot of colours, didn't we?- Yeah.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22To find a colour that did work
0:27:22 > 0:27:26and I think this is exactly how we imagined it would look.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Yeah, ideally from the early days.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29- Yeah, exactly.- No, definitely.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- It's what we were originally thinking of.- Absolutely, yeah.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36It's a big improvement on what was there before and I think,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40you know, neighbours have said to us,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43"We're really pleased with what you've done."
0:27:43 > 0:27:48And it has really improved the outlook on the street.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51It is a big improvement, isn't it?
0:27:51 > 0:27:52- Yeah, yeah.- We've very proud of it,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55- we're very proud of how it looks. - Yeah.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Next time on Building Dream Homes, in Scotland an old mill reveals
0:28:04 > 0:28:07buried treasure for architect Bobby...
0:28:07 > 0:28:10You can either just leave it, you can forget all about it
0:28:10 > 0:28:12or possibly put a glass floor in there.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15And in Wales, Marianne's back on the build.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17But will she like what she finds when she gets there?
0:28:17 > 0:28:21Today is one of those moments where she will see, if you like,
0:28:21 > 0:28:27for the first time what's kind of been in our heads for a lot longer.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Here we are, into the front room.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Into the room.