0:00:02 > 0:00:03Across the nation architects are building,
0:00:03 > 0:00:06designing and transforming the homes we live in.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08One day I'm going to live in a house like this
0:00:08 > 0:00:09and not just do it for others.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13We're following some of those leading the way in ground-breaking design.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Their jaw would drop if they saw that.
0:00:16 > 0:00:17I can't believe it.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21We'll be with them every step of the way
0:00:21 > 0:00:23as they battle with builders, blueprints
0:00:23 > 0:00:25and the clients who hire them.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27You've got a very strange understanding of the word "today."
0:00:27 > 0:00:30Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:00:32 > 0:00:33That's not good.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35It's like working with the Chuckle Brothers.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38We're with them as they draw on their seven years of training
0:00:38 > 0:00:39to solve everyday problems.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Quick word in his ear, make sure there's no more mishaps.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46He's come in on an angle and ripped up the road,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49but he's now ripped his exhaust pipe off.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Oh, 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 > 0:01:01The 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, it's inspection time at the upside down house in Wales,
0:01:24 > 0:01:26both for architect Chris...
0:01:26 > 0:01:28I haven't been here for a few weeks.
0:01:28 > 0:01:29..and for owner Marianne.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33It's the first time she's been back on site after months of ill health,
0:01:33 > 0:01:35but will she like what she sees?
0:01:35 > 0:01:39I want her to love it as much as I do, basically.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41And in Dunblane,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44a dilapidated old mill is being restored to its former glory.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47You can either just leave it, you can forget all about it,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50or possibly put a glass floor in there.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52But there's bad news in store for architect Bobby
0:01:52 > 0:01:55when the building inspector pays a visit.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Well, the meeting wasn't satisfactory.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09In the Vale of Glamorgan, Marianne and John are building a brand-new
0:02:09 > 0:02:12hi-tech home right next door to their existing Welsh long house.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Their dream was to create a future-proof home.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Marianne took control to make sure that dream would become a reality.
0:02:21 > 0:02:22I'm telling you what I want.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27You tell me what I need to achieve what I want and how much it costs.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Helping them to bring their dream to fruition
0:02:30 > 0:02:32is local award-winning architect Chris Loyn
0:02:32 > 0:02:34and project designer James Stroud.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40And what they've come up with together is stunning.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43With a budget of £842,000 - £660,000 for build costs
0:02:43 > 0:02:46and a further £180,000 for fittings and fees - they are creating
0:02:46 > 0:02:49a two-storey upside down house,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53rammed with technology and cutting-edge design.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Its simple steel frame construction means the whole build is only
0:02:57 > 0:02:59scheduled to take ten months.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Up to now, Marianne has been a driving force behind the project.
0:03:04 > 0:03:05Then over here...
0:03:05 > 0:03:10Just before we leave this, I think we should have a TV point there.
0:03:10 > 0:03:11OK.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13We may never use it but it's best to put it in.
0:03:15 > 0:03:16OK.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19But on Boxing Day, six months into the build, disaster struck.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23She was taken into hospital with a potentially life-threatening infection.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28She's been the principal contact through the whole of the project,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30and so it is a shame now where we're, you know,
0:03:30 > 0:03:34ploughing towards the end of the project that she can't be
0:03:34 > 0:03:36involved as much as she'd like to be.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40It's February. Marianne has been in hospital for eight weeks,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43and the home she is paying almost a million pounds for
0:03:43 > 0:03:44is taking shape without her.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46The windows and roof have been installed
0:03:46 > 0:03:50so the building is watertight and ready for its next layer - elements
0:03:50 > 0:03:53that will see the house blend into the beautiful Welsh countryside.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56The walls are being clad with specially treated timber...
0:03:56 > 0:03:59The only tricky bit is when you get to the windows.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02You've got to start cutting the shape around the window.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07And the roof is being transformed into a living garden,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09with a flowering plant, sedum.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15It does change the roof from being a completely paved area to a garden,
0:04:15 > 0:04:20a roof garden. You know, it's a much more enjoyable sort of environment.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Today, in the absence of Marianne keeping an eye on site,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29architect Chris has come to inspect the project.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31This will be the first time he's seen the house
0:04:31 > 0:04:33with its walls and windows in, giving the full impact
0:04:33 > 0:04:35of the double height space he designed.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38I'm fine.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40I haven't been here for a few weeks
0:04:40 > 0:04:42and now we've got the envelope sealed,
0:04:42 > 0:04:47so I'll be interested to see how it feels as an enclosed space.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Oh, yeah!
0:04:58 > 0:05:01Now that's what you kind of live and hold in your mind
0:05:01 > 0:05:03but you can't draw something like that.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Good morning! I am fine! How are you?
0:05:09 > 0:05:13This is feeling very nice. Yeah, man!
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- Love this. - Yeah, it's great.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- Doesn't it work? - It's great.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21Imagine artwork along that wall.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24The light dropping down on it.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26It'll be super.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Out there - glass of wine, gin and tonic?
0:05:32 > 0:05:34One day I'm going to live in a house like this
0:05:34 > 0:05:36and not just do it for others.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38In my dreams!
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Another special aspect of the house's future-proof design
0:05:42 > 0:05:44is that there's space to have a lift.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Marianne and John were going to install it in years to come
0:05:47 > 0:05:49but Marianne's illness has changed their minds.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52We're now going to put this lift in at this stage
0:05:52 > 0:05:55whereas before it was sort of future proofing the house,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57and this was just going to be a store cupboard
0:05:57 > 0:05:59until such time as you needed it.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Just cut the floor out and in goes the shaft -
0:06:01 > 0:06:03it's all been sized accordingly -
0:06:03 > 0:06:06and we do that a lot in our new well-off houses
0:06:06 > 0:06:09and it just seems to be totally sensible.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11A sleek modern lift at an additional cost of £14,000
0:06:11 > 0:06:14has been put on fast track order.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20It's March. Marianne has been in and out of hospital since Christmas
0:06:20 > 0:06:24and she's finally coming home. She's wheelchair bound and she's
0:06:24 > 0:06:27already said she wants to inspect the site as soon as she gets back.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31Today is one of those moments where she will see,
0:06:31 > 0:06:35if you like, for the first time what's kind of been in our heads
0:06:35 > 0:06:37for a lot longer.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Chris and James may be happy with progress,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44but their client has spent the past 20 years dreaming about the house
0:06:44 > 0:06:46and the past six months overseeing the build.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49She's invested her money, her hopes and her vision
0:06:49 > 0:06:51so she may have other ideas.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54I'm very excited because I haven't been in the house
0:06:54 > 0:06:58since before Christmas, so although I've seen stills
0:06:58 > 0:07:01and Jon's shown me pictures and it looks great,
0:07:01 > 0:07:06I haven't actually seen it myself, so I really want to go in there.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16In Dunblane, north of Stirling, Darren and his wife Linda
0:07:16 > 0:07:19are also about to embark on a project in their garden.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23We've been in here for about three years.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25It's a new build.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Part of the garden is the old mill.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30The house was built on the founds of the mill partially,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33and there was a ruin in the garden
0:07:33 > 0:07:36and the developer had some ideas about it.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39We didn't want it to be knocked down,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42or a walled garden as was suggested initially,
0:07:42 > 0:07:45and we thought why not just restore it? Restore it.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48The architect Darren and Linda have chosen to help them
0:07:48 > 0:07:51convert the mill is Bobby Halliday, who has run
0:07:51 > 0:07:54his award-winning architecture firm for the last 30 years.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57There's kind of one thing that is really important
0:07:57 > 0:07:59and you need an ideas hat.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Both well known and respected in the local area,
0:08:02 > 0:08:06helping clients see their dream homes realised is Bobby's passion.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10The mill was a very simple building. Four walls, no roof,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14and what we had to do really was just provide the client
0:08:14 > 0:08:18with a family room, a games room, a TV room,
0:08:18 > 0:08:24so really it was an additional element to the main house.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27So we've opened this gable up, we have a glass balcony,
0:08:27 > 0:08:32we have very big sliding doors and we have a small set of French doors
0:08:32 > 0:08:34with a Juliette balcony upstairs.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38On the ground floor, the design is an open-plan space
0:08:38 > 0:08:41with a smallish kitchen come bar,
0:08:41 > 0:08:45and upstairs we have guest living accommodation.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49The build is scheduled to take nine months.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Darren and Linda have a budget of £100,000,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54to cover the complete restoration of the ruined mill
0:08:54 > 0:08:55into family accommodation,
0:08:55 > 0:09:00a new kitchen and architect's fees to design and oversee the build.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04The old trusty boots. They're always wet, they're always damp.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06They never seem to get a chance to dry out.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Morning, Darren, how are you?
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Good to see you, yeah, we're great.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14The build has been under way for a month.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16The roof is up and today, Bobby and colleague Geoff,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18have arrived for a site visit.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20So this is the old mill house.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23The walls, as you can see, were existing
0:09:23 > 0:09:26and are in pretty good condition. Things are looking good.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Bobby is particularly excited about today's visit
0:09:29 > 0:09:32as a surprising discovery has been made underneath the site.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Under here somewhere, there is the remnants
0:09:35 > 0:09:38of an old cast iron water wheel.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41So we are quite intrigued to find out what happens.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44The old water wheel was unearthed when the ground was being dug
0:09:44 > 0:09:47to put in the utilities for the new conversion.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49We'll manage. We'll manage.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54At least it's not a big chasm or a big gorge we are going to fall down.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Its discovery has put Bobby's creative mind into overdrive
0:09:59 > 0:10:01and he can't wait to get a closer look.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Darren, I mean there are two ways of looking at this.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09You can either just leave it, you can forget all about it,
0:10:09 > 0:10:15or you could certainly tidy up the walls and possibly put something
0:10:15 > 0:10:17in your deck rather than the steel.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20You could possibly put a glass floor in there.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Have you got a budget for that, Bobby?
0:10:22 > 0:10:26A budget? I would've thought to clean all this up, tidy it up,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29I would've thought maybe £1,000 worth of pointing
0:10:29 > 0:10:33and cleaning it out, but the glass floor I would've thought
0:10:33 > 0:10:37would have cost you about maybe £2,500 for a piece of glass.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41I know it's a lot of money, but what a feature that would give.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44The build costs of around £100,000
0:10:44 > 0:10:48are likely to be pushed higher by the discovery of the wheel.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Bobby is hoping Darren will think it worth it.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55How many houses round about this area have
0:10:55 > 0:10:57the old remains of a water wheel?
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- It's fantastic. - It's in your back garden, you know.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05But Bobby and Geoff's post-site visit high doesn't last long.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Bobby is very hands on with his projects and, as the architect,
0:11:08 > 0:11:12one of his responsibilities is to satisfy building control.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14The building inspector for this project
0:11:14 > 0:11:16has thrown a spanner in the works, and it's a big one.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19The building inspector sent us a letter
0:11:19 > 0:11:22and he wanted a few items clarified,
0:11:22 > 0:11:27and one of the items that required clarification was
0:11:27 > 0:11:32what was in the mill in the sub-floor area
0:11:32 > 0:11:35prior to the concrete floor being laid.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39The inspector believes that the concrete floor may have been laid
0:11:39 > 0:11:41on top of the rotting timber of the old roof.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45He wants proof that isn't the case. This is disastrous.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48All work has to stop while investigations are carried out.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51If the inspector is right, it could be game over.
0:12:01 > 0:12:02Back in the Vale of Glamorgan,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05project designer James has been living and breathing Marianne
0:12:05 > 0:12:08and Jon's ultra-modern future-proof house.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12I can imagine the fire, the Christmas tree, the lounger,
0:12:12 > 0:12:14the music, the light.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17What we've done here is introduce a seat into the shower enclosure.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20We've suggested to Marianne that it's quite good for ladies
0:12:20 > 0:12:25when they want to shave their legs or something in the shower.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Eight weeks ago, Marianne was taken ill,
0:12:29 > 0:12:31and has had an extended stay in hospital.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34She's back and desperate to see what she's been missing.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39It's a problem with my hip, really, but other problems
0:12:39 > 0:12:43manifested themselves when I went into hospital.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47I'm still on treatment and I'm not going to be able to walk
0:12:47 > 0:12:52until I have another operation, and I don't know how long that will be.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59It is completely frustrating, completely and utterly frustrating
0:12:59 > 0:13:01that I cannot get in there,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05but at the moment, the way it is, I don't think it's worth pushing.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10Right, so the steels are somewhere. You can't see them any more.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Her husband Jon's been in the driving seat
0:13:12 > 0:13:13while Marianne's been away.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15I've been in charge.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Well, this is why everything is making such good progress.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Jon is quite happy to relinquish his duties as soon as Marianne is back.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27So you've got something like that, yeah? These are your wardrobes.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Yeah.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32I think we're going to have to do without the TV -
0:13:32 > 0:13:33that's the simplest thing.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Do you have a view on it, Jon?
0:13:36 > 0:13:41What we're talking about is, when you're in bed here, right?
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Are you bothered about having a wall of curtains along here?
0:13:44 > 0:13:46No.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Great, decision made.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Yeah, OK. Fine.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57The lift that she and Jon thought would be installed in years to come
0:13:57 > 0:14:00has been put in early and is now ready for Marianne to use.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05It's a glass mirrored box.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08It's very stylish. You know, the idea is to walk past it
0:14:08 > 0:14:10and it looks like a part of the furniture, if you like.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13You wouldn't think you actually had a lift in your home.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15It's a tense day for James.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Well, I just want to make sure it looks as nice as it can
0:14:19 > 0:14:22when Marianne comes up, so...
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Marianne hasn't been in her new home for over two months.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Now she's finally heading in with her son and daughter
0:14:29 > 0:14:31to see what progress has been made.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35I want her to love it as much as I do, basically.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Here we are. Into the front room.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Into the room. Oh, great.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Hey, this is a nice space, isn't it?
0:14:43 > 0:14:47Oh, isn't it fabulous? Oh, it's just great.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- Do you want to see the bedrooms? - Yeah, go on.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51If you want to see them, yeah.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54You see, everywhere is wide enough for you to get in.
0:14:54 > 0:14:55Yeah, it's great.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00And she can use her fabulous glass-fronted lift
0:15:00 > 0:15:01for the very first time.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Is it for four people, normally, do you know?
0:15:03 > 0:15:06I don't know what the maximum capacity is.
0:15:06 > 0:15:07OK.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10What I'm worried about is will it take all the wine?
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Right, stop before you get the view. I want to see your face.
0:15:22 > 0:15:23OK.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31Oh, this is amazing, isn't it? Oh, I can't believe it.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39We knew what the view was like but it is unbelievable.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Seeing her new home in the flesh is a big relief to Marianne,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46and an even bigger one for James who's put his heart and soul
0:15:46 > 0:15:48into the project while she's been away.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50I think she's pleased, yeah.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55I think it's fab, yeah. I think it's really good, yeah.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58And big changes since I last saw it, so, no,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00I'm really pleased with it. It's great.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04It is an exciting job
0:16:04 > 0:16:08and obviously you get to share it with colleagues and you get
0:16:08 > 0:16:12to share it with the guys on site, but it is really nice to be able
0:16:12 > 0:16:14to sort of give Marianne a tour round
0:16:14 > 0:16:18and talk about all these things that we may have discussed
0:16:18 > 0:16:21in the house, but not in the flesh,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23and it's really nice then.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26It's a treat for me as much as it is for her.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- But it's lovely, isn't it? - I'm glad you like it.
0:16:41 > 0:16:42In Scotland,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46architect Bobby is working on the restoration of a ruined mill.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48It's great to be back here.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51But today he and his colleague Ali are heading to a project
0:16:51 > 0:16:53they're particularly proud of -
0:16:53 > 0:16:57an extension on a Victorian house in Bridge of Allan.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59That overhang looks really good.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Like the mill, the challenge here was to design a space that was
0:17:02 > 0:17:06modern and contemporary but remained in keeping with its surroundings.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09That's the first time probably since the project started that
0:17:09 > 0:17:13we've actually stopped and paused and studied them, and you think,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17"Oh, yeah, that's what we had to do to get that lintel in there.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21"That's what we had to do to get that steel beam in there."
0:17:21 > 0:17:22Wow.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26Owners John Quinn and wife, Anne, endured six months without a kitchen
0:17:26 > 0:17:28while the old conservatory was dismantled
0:17:28 > 0:17:32and their £200,000 extension was built.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37We're delighted with it
0:17:37 > 0:17:41and everybody that comes into the house is very, very impressed.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48We've introduced a couple of beams and a couple of split levels
0:17:48 > 0:17:54and those two items actually visually separate the accommodation.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Knocking down the wall to the dining room makes the whole
0:17:57 > 0:18:01living space open plan, one of Bobby's signature looks,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05as well as lots of hi-tech, high impact wow factors.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09We like to take the old-fashioned houses,
0:18:09 > 0:18:11the conservation of these houses,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14we like to use stone, we like to use slate
0:18:14 > 0:18:19and I really feel that here we have connected this new piece
0:18:19 > 0:18:23of house sculpture with the old Victorian house.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Back in Dunblane, Bobby's going to have to bring all of the same skills
0:18:34 > 0:18:36to bear on his latest project, overseeing the conversion
0:18:36 > 0:18:38of Darren and Linda's old mill.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42He's been hit by a major problem with the building inspector
0:18:42 > 0:18:44who's concerned that prior to Bobby taking on the build,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47the mill's original timber roof might have fallen into the ruin,
0:18:47 > 0:18:49and has been left to rot under the new concrete floor,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51making it unsafe.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55Bobby's found some evidence that he hopes will help his case.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00I've actually got a nice photograph here of the mill.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05You can see the four walls, there's no roof on the building.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Inside, it's basically just vegetation.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12Now, this vegetation would have been all scraped away
0:19:12 > 0:19:15and I'm pretty sure when the digger was in there scraping it,
0:19:15 > 0:19:19if there was any timber in there, then he would have
0:19:19 > 0:19:22noticed the timber and it would have been chucked out.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26But it's plainly obvious to me that the roof has been removed.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31That's not going to stop the project coming to a conclusion.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35It's just a hiccup and it's a hiccup that we need to get through.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Bobby heads to site and it's eerily quiet.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40All work has had to stop
0:19:40 > 0:19:43until Bobby can allay the fears of the building inspector.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46So far it's been shut down for two weeks, costing Darren,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48the client, both time and money.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Bobby needs to look at the site, as he has to work out where to
0:19:51 > 0:19:54drill an inspection hole for the building inspector.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55Nope!
0:19:55 > 0:20:00Going through the slab is really difficult, it's really messy.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03You're going to puncture the damp proof membrane -
0:20:03 > 0:20:07that's the polythene film which is underneath the concrete.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10I really don't want to go down there. That's a last resort.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14There's a nice shaft in there that used to house the old wheel.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Now, that's ideal because we can go down there,
0:20:17 > 0:20:22or someone can go down there, and basically core cut a hole
0:20:22 > 0:20:25with a machine straight through the underbuilding which is underneath
0:20:25 > 0:20:31this wall and hopefully get into the area underneath the concrete slab,
0:20:31 > 0:20:36shine a torch in, get a trowel in there, bring some of this stuff out,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40get in so far and hopefully we don't discover any wood.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43A week later, and a decision has been made to drill
0:20:43 > 0:20:46an inspection hole in the wall of the wheel shaft -
0:20:46 > 0:20:48exactly what Bobby was hoping for.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50They want the hole to be nearly a metre square,
0:20:50 > 0:20:52so they'll be able to go in.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55It'll be probably quite long. A couple of metres long.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00So as I say, we really do want to make sure that we are positive
0:21:00 > 0:21:04that the site's in the condition it should be in.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06But it's a massive undertaking.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08The building inspector needs to be able to climb in
0:21:08 > 0:21:10under the concrete floor.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Owner Darren is overseeing the work.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Charged with the job of drilling the hole is John.
0:21:16 > 0:21:22I reckon the wall's about a metre thick, so we're about halfway.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25I feel bad about actually knocking a hole in the wall,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27such an ancient building.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Aye, it's a shame.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32But the thick ancient walls are putting up a fight...
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Solid. Absolutely solid.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39Thicker than I expected and harder going than I expected as well.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41Once they've broken through,
0:21:41 > 0:21:45the worst thing they could find is rotting timbers.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47It takes several hours, but eventually...
0:21:47 > 0:21:52Yay! I broke through so there's your roots.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55They've been here for ages and I'm glad.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01All I need to do is widen the hole now and expose it all
0:22:01 > 0:22:02but it looks fine.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05It could be good news for Darren...
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Well, the guys have dug though.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10That's a few hours now that we've been digging
0:22:10 > 0:22:13and we've been quite happy with finding
0:22:13 > 0:22:15just basic building material,
0:22:15 > 0:22:19just soil and really what we knew we would find.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22But just when it seems there's light at the end of the tunnel, an on-site
0:22:22 > 0:22:26meeting with the building inspector leaves Bobby in an even bigger hole.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Er, well, the meeting wasn't satisfactory.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31It didn't go too well.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35The building inspector noticed another area
0:22:35 > 0:22:39in the wheel lade, that he suggested that we make another hole.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43It's bad news for both architect and client and, worse still,
0:22:43 > 0:22:45it delays the project even further.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Disappointing. We were hoping for some kind of resolution today,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50just so we can move the whole thing on.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54The building control officer was obviously looking for a little bit more investigation.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Obviously, we feel that's been done. We're not really sure
0:22:57 > 0:23:00what any further investigation is going to prove,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03so, yeah, it's just disappointing.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06They're left with no option but to drill a second hole
0:23:06 > 0:23:08and hope it convinces the building inspector
0:23:08 > 0:23:10that the ground underneath the mill is safe.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13What's the saying, Geoff? TGI Friday!
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Just a few days later, Bobby is back in the office
0:23:20 > 0:23:23preparing for his final showdown with the building inspector.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Darren has dug the second hole and Bobby has the photos.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30This is a vertical piece of corrugated steel in the mill lade.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35It's obviously been there for many years, and we can see soil here,
0:23:35 > 0:23:40we can see underbuilding bricks, blocks that have been
0:23:40 > 0:23:44used to upfill to the concrete floor levels.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47So again, there are no timber materials in here.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50If the new hole doesn't satisfy the building inspector
0:23:50 > 0:23:52then the project could stall for good.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55It's a delicate situation for Bobby to manage.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58With an anxious client and concerned building inspector to deal with,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00he's stuck between a rock and a hard place.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Darren, I think, is worried because he basically wants to start
0:24:04 > 0:24:08work, construction work again on the project.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10But we have done all that we can do.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15Bobby and Geoff head to site with the project on a knife edge.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17It's been seven weeks since work stopped on-site
0:24:17 > 0:24:19and it's D-Day for the build.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28A couple of hours later, Bobby has some news for client Darren.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Geoff, I'll just give Darren a phone right now and just let him
0:24:31 > 0:24:33know what the position is.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39That was a tight call down there, I'll tell you.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Oh, Darren, things are good. The building inspector just left.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48You'll be pleased to hear that he's given you the go-ahead
0:24:48 > 0:24:51to proceed with building operations again.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53If you just leave it to your architects,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55then everything will be fine, OK?
0:25:01 > 0:25:05Six weeks later and Bobby and Geoff are heading back
0:25:05 > 0:25:06to visit the converted mill,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09to see if all the hard work and stress has paid off.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12The crumbling ruins of the old mill have been transformed
0:25:12 > 0:25:14into a handsome living space.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22The empty old shell now houses a kitchen diner and a pool table.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30And in the lounge area, the French doors look out
0:25:30 > 0:25:34onto the stream and garden.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38The two areas are separated by a stunning feature fireplace.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46A floating staircase leads up to a new bedroom and bathroom.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Seeing the mill finished is a big moment for Bobby and Geoff.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- It's great. How are you guys? - We're good. How are you?
0:25:58 > 0:26:03Just fantastic. I'm even better that I've walked in here.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07This is just brilliant. This is just jaw dropping. It's fantastic.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11- It looks awesome.- We're delighted. - It's a fun room, family room.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15This is it. This is exactly what it says on the tin.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19It also could easily be accommodation, granny flat.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23This could easily be a kitchen and lounge, bedroom upstairs.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27So it'll hopefully be an asset to the house as well.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29This is just a really nice studio.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31A really nice feeling about it.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34And just when you come in those sliding doors,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37you see that amazing tree.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39It's almost like a tree house to some extent.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Well, there's a touch of that when you look out.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43You actually feel as if you're up in the tree.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47You're part of it as opposed to... It's also quite nice when you're
0:26:47 > 0:26:50downstairs as well. Just that vista down the stream is fantastic.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52You feel like you're part of it,
0:26:52 > 0:26:56you are not detached from it. You are very much in that area.
0:26:56 > 0:26:57The project is a success
0:26:57 > 0:27:01but for Bobby there is still some unfinished business.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Underneath here, we have the famous mill lade.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10I would still like to try and persuade Darren and Linda to open up
0:27:10 > 0:27:16a section of this deck and replace it with a piece of glass.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Just go beyond the call of duty
0:27:19 > 0:27:23and just do a little bit of extra work in here.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26You know, that's the thing actually that will make the project
0:27:26 > 0:27:30an award winner, I think, just by opening this up.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32That might happen in the future, but for now,
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Darren and Linda are very happy with the new addition to their home.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40I think we'll use it more than we anticipated. I think originally
0:27:40 > 0:27:42we felt it would have been like an annex, granny flat,
0:27:42 > 0:27:46but I think we'd probably use this at nights
0:27:46 > 0:27:49more than we felt we would.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Our daughter has got her eye on it already!
0:27:55 > 0:27:58In the last few days since it's been finished, I feel like it's
0:27:58 > 0:28:01my husband next door, because he's always here!
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Next time on Building Dream Homes -
0:28:07 > 0:28:09at a build in the New Forest,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11things go awry for architect Wendy.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13A few changes that we've made...
0:28:13 > 0:28:17If I'm honest, I'm a bit disappointed with.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19And in Wales, getting Marianne and John's home finished
0:28:19 > 0:28:21is down to the wire.
0:28:21 > 0:28:26Well, we're trying to prevent, I guess, a death by a thousand cuts.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28You know, something not quite right here,
0:28:28 > 0:28:32something not quite right there, all add up to be a bit of a mess.