0:00:01 > 0:00:04Across the nation, architects are building and transforming
0:00:04 > 0:00:05the homes we live in.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07One day I'm going to live in a house like this,
0:00:07 > 0:00:09and not just do it for others.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11We're following some of those leading the way
0:00:11 > 0:00:13in ground-breaking design.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Their jaw would drop if they saw that.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17I can't believe it.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20We'll be with them every step of the way,
0:00:20 > 0:00:22as they battle with builders,
0:00:22 > 0:00:25blue prints and the clients who hire them.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28You've got a very strange understanding of the word 'today'.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:00:32 > 0:00:33That's not good.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35- It's like working with the Chuckle Brothers.- Ho, ho, ho!
0:00:35 > 0:00:38We're with them as they draw on their seven years of training
0:00:38 > 0:00:39to solve everyday problems.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Quick word in his ear, make sure there's no more mishaps.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46He's come in on an angle and ripped up the road,
0:00:46 > 0:00:48but he's now ripped his exhaust pipe off.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Oh, man!
0:00:52 > 0:00:54I've said many prayers.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55That's amazing!
0:00:55 > 0:00:58That's a pretty incredible difference, isn't it?
0:00:58 > 0:01:00The fixings alone cost 17 grand.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08All in the name of making the properties we dream of a reality.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Today in Dorset, two architects have ambitious ideas
0:01:23 > 0:01:25for a state-of-the-art, factory-built house.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29But will their plans be scuppered before it's even broken ground?
0:01:29 > 0:01:30Well, he ain't going to budge.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33If we reduce the size of it he'll potentially support it.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37And in Hertfordshire, a total home renovation looks set to drive
0:01:37 > 0:01:39owner David over the edge.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41Nightmare, dream - take your pick!
0:01:45 > 0:01:50Last year, over 120,000 new homes were built across the UK,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53adding to the 25 million that already exist.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57In built up Britain, finding a home with unspoilt views
0:01:57 > 0:01:59is a desire for many and a reality for few.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03But for company director Marcus Graziano,
0:02:03 > 0:02:07it was a dream that came true when eight years ago he bought this
0:02:07 > 0:02:11dilapidated 1930s bungalow in the heart of the Dorset countryside.
0:02:13 > 0:02:14It was all about the location.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18It was nice rural views, great countryside.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21When we moved in there was no central heating,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23there was just a wood burner.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25There was power, like a hot water boiler,
0:02:25 > 0:02:27and there was no double glazing.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30After almost a decade of making do,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Marcus has finally got everything in place.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36He's now ready to build the house that would do justice to the views.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39We've done bits to make it habitable over the years,
0:02:39 > 0:02:42but it was always with the view that eventually we'd kind of knock it
0:02:42 > 0:02:45down or renovate it or do something to it. And now that process starts.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49The architects Marcus has chosen to design his new home
0:02:49 > 0:02:51are Paul Robinson and Laurence Bowen,
0:02:51 > 0:02:53who are based a few miles away,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56near the millionaires' playground of Poole on the south coast.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01We've got a passion for contemporary architecture - that's what we love
0:03:01 > 0:03:03and that's what has really inspired us.
0:03:03 > 0:03:04Marcus chose Laurence and Paul
0:03:04 > 0:03:07for their striking modern design style and their belief
0:03:07 > 0:03:10that great buildings stem from the people that live in them.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Understanding our client is really key,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17because that then creates something bespoke to them.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20You know, we want people to wake up in the morning and, you know,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24there's just fantastic light, or there's a great view.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Open plan spaces where families can get together.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30With their passion for cutting edge architecture,
0:03:30 > 0:03:32the house Laurence and Paul have come up with for Marcus and
0:03:32 > 0:03:36his family isn't what you'd normally find in a sleepy Dorset village.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39The four bedroom house Paul's planning is extraordinary.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44So, this is the building that Marcus would hope to now build and live in.
0:03:44 > 0:03:50A mono pitched roof, some big expanses of glazing
0:03:50 > 0:03:53on the south side of the building that will incorporate those views.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57On the ground floor, we've got a nice, big, open plan kitchen,
0:03:57 > 0:04:01dining, family lounge - it will be a great space for them.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Instead of constructing the new home on site, the outer shell
0:04:06 > 0:04:09will be built to Laurence and Paul's design in a factory in Germany.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Then the whole thing will be shipped to the UK,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16complete with a specially trained crew to construct it.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20Once on site, it should go up in a staggeringly quick five days.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22You just want it to happen as quickly as possible,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25and that's one of the benefits of using the system we are.
0:04:25 > 0:04:26You put it up quickly, you know,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29otherwise you've got to pay to stay somewhere else.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32It all just comes into the mix at the end of the day.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35And the budget? £600,000.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39The factory build will cost a third of the budget.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42The rest will go on the cost of preparing the site, kitchens,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44bathrooms, fixtures and fittings, and the architects' fees
0:04:44 > 0:04:47for designing and overseeing the construction.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51But before anything can happen, they have to get it through planning,
0:04:51 > 0:04:52and in this sleepy Dorset village,
0:04:52 > 0:04:56their ground-breaking design is looking like a hard sell.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Obviously, you're not going to necessarily
0:05:00 > 0:05:03change your opinion on that, so I'll need to go back to him
0:05:03 > 0:05:08and we'll talk through how we'll be able to move forward.
0:05:08 > 0:05:09OK, thank you. Cheers.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Well, he ain't going to budge.
0:05:18 > 0:05:19Really?
0:05:21 > 0:05:23If we reduce the size of it,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25he'll potentially support it.
0:05:25 > 0:05:32Marcus says he knows a guy that was head of North Dorset planning,
0:05:32 > 0:05:36who is now an independent planning consultant.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38- OK.- Speak to Marcus.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41It's not the news any of them wanted to hear.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44This chat may have been unofficial, but, with only two weeks
0:05:44 > 0:05:47before a final decision from the planners, a knock-back will
0:05:47 > 0:05:51put the whole build in jeopardy, especially as architects and
0:05:51 > 0:05:55client are determined not to change a single aspect of their design.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Knock 50% off my glasses, please!
0:06:05 > 0:06:09In Radlett, near London, optician David Levy
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and his artist wife Orly run a successful opticians.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16It's also where they set up home 16 years ago.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18We bought this house in 1998.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22It was a very small house on a fairly good plot of land,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24therefore we completely gutted it.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27In hindsight, I should have knocked it down.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29David hasn't stopped renovating since,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32and his latest project is to be the biggest change of all.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Three years ago, David and Orly's house had subsidence,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38and when the £20,000 insurance money came through,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41rather than just fix it, they decided to go one step further.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45It all started when David came home one day with a green
0:06:45 > 0:06:49brochure of a kitchen from next door in the high street.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51And I said, "Oh, gosh, that's a good idea.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53"Let's start... Let's change the kitchen."
0:06:53 > 0:06:57Then it developed into building a small extension out on this side,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00which then got developed into building an extension
0:07:00 > 0:07:05right across, which then got developed into redoing this room
0:07:05 > 0:07:09and redoing all the entire floors, putting a resin floor in, which
0:07:09 > 0:07:15then got to also having new windows, so nightmare, dream - take your pick!
0:07:17 > 0:07:21David has asked local architect Bob Thompson to design his extension.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23He's an award-winning architect
0:07:23 > 0:07:25with over 30 years' experience in the area.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27This is the front of the house,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31and most of the work is concentrated on the back.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Our brief was really quite simple - to push out the kitchen,
0:07:34 > 0:07:40but make it a much more contemporary, glassy appearance.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44The way we're changing the space is to take this whole back
0:07:44 > 0:07:49wall of the house out, very much just opening it up to the garden
0:07:49 > 0:07:52and enlarging both of these spaces.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Bob's plan will massively increase David and Orly's living area.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01He wants to completely remove the rear exterior wall, then erect
0:08:01 > 0:08:05a new floor-to-ceiling glass panelled wall opening to the garden,
0:08:05 > 0:08:09giving them a spectacular, modern open plan kitchen and sitting room.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12They have a budget of £120,000 to complete all the work,
0:08:12 > 0:08:16and the project should take four months from start to finish.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18To save money on the budget,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21David has only employed Bob to design the extension,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24and has decided to project manage the whole build himself.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27With very little experience, it's a risky decision,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30but David thinks he has the skills to pull it off.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33I've been told it can be fairly hard, but I think I'm fair.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35And builders, if you get them,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38you've got to get on with your builder, because obviously
0:08:38 > 0:08:42you've got to have trust in your builder that he can deliver.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47It's October, and work has already started on the extension.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49David is determined to be in for Christmas,
0:08:49 > 0:08:53which leaves just eight weeks to get the build finished.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56He may have decided to project manage,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59but he certainly won't be making all the decisions.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01My role is to bring the design,
0:09:01 > 0:09:08and David's is to pay for the men to find where to source my ideas!
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Artist wife Orly may be out of the picture, working full-time
0:09:12 > 0:09:15at the optician's, but that doesn't stop her having big ideas
0:09:15 > 0:09:16for her new extension,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19and her latest is to have floor-to-ceiling glass.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22When I first started, we had a standard size,
0:09:22 > 0:09:25which I think is about... What's the standard size of a door?
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- Seven foot?- Seven foot six. - Seven foot six?- Yeah.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31In centimetres I can't work that out,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33but seven foot six with a lintel above.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35That was actually the design
0:09:35 > 0:09:38until fortunately I showed my wife a picture and she nearly said,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41"I don't want that." And I said, "What do you mean?"
0:09:41 > 0:09:43She said, "That bit above the door."
0:09:43 > 0:09:46I said, "Well, that's called a lintel - it's quite important!"
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Initially, we were still going to have a lot of glass,
0:09:49 > 0:09:51so it was a combination of raising the glass
0:09:51 > 0:09:55so that it went right up to the ceiling, also having less
0:09:55 > 0:09:58panels which were going to change the appearance of the building.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Fortunately, because we haven't come out as far above the house
0:10:02 > 0:10:04as we had originally, as in the ground,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08we could in effect put the lintel above the ceiling height.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13So in effect we've got from floor to ceiling height doors -
0:10:13 > 0:10:17then the only problem was that is not a standard size door.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21Bob has designed the windows Orly wants.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25These were the biggest windows that company had ever installed.
0:10:26 > 0:10:27But as project manager,
0:10:27 > 0:10:32it's now David's responsibility to source the super-size doors himself.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35In fact, nobody wanted to do them at first, but I finally found
0:10:35 > 0:10:37a company in Britain that could do them for a reasonable sum.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42But let's put it that the insurance has more or less paid for two thirds
0:10:42 > 0:10:44of the windows, so the rest...
0:10:44 > 0:10:46But my wife made a fair point -
0:10:46 > 0:10:49unless you can afford to do what I want, we won't do it all.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52So, fortunately, I've managed to get it to a reasonable price that
0:10:52 > 0:10:55I can afford to do it to how she wants it done.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58So got to keep her happy!
0:11:00 > 0:11:02But happiness comes at a cost.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05With all the additions, a complete re-modelling of downstairs and
0:11:05 > 0:11:09the bespoke windows, their £120,000 budget is already being stretched.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Today, architect Bob has come to check on the tricky logistics
0:11:15 > 0:11:18involved in getting the glass onto site.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25Almost everything that we look at from here will be
0:11:25 > 0:11:32a set of four glass doors, and these are unusually large
0:11:32 > 0:11:36pieces of glass, and physically getting them into the site
0:11:36 > 0:11:40and installing them is not a straightforward issue at all.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44The frames were assembled out on the grass, I believe.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Right, so Nick's going to put some...
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Yes, then they put the frames in.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51But the glass is actually put in from the inside.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56So, they've got to get the glass in, and he said, "Oh, that's fine.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58"I can rest it against that wall."
0:11:58 > 0:12:02I said, "No, you can't, because that wall won't be there."
0:12:02 > 0:12:05A few days later and it's the day of reckoning -
0:12:05 > 0:12:06the glass has arrived.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Yes, I'm excited, or I will be when it's finished.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12But I don't want to get too excited. Things might go wrong.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18With each window costing an eye-watering £6,500,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21it's critical the measurements for the glass are exactly right.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23But, as project manager,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26David has made a potentially disastrous decision.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30The company really wanted us to build the opening
0:12:30 > 0:12:31and then for them to survey it.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I said, "Forget that!"
0:12:33 > 0:12:37I said, "I've just watched in fact the Freedom Tower in New York
0:12:37 > 0:12:40"going up," and I did say to them,
0:12:40 > 0:12:44"I can't believe that the glazing company said, build the tower
0:12:44 > 0:12:47"and then we'll come and measure the openings."
0:12:47 > 0:12:52So, I said, "surely you can make four relatively small, I think,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55"small glass doors to fit an opening and there is a tolerance."
0:12:55 > 0:12:57And so we will see whether we...
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Because if it's a bit too small, it's a problem,
0:13:00 > 0:13:01and if it's a bit too big, it's a problem.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05It may be a faster way of working, but with only
0:13:05 > 0:13:08a 10mm margin of error and each pane of glass worth a considerable
0:13:08 > 0:13:12chunk of David's budget, it's also a much riskier one.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Will his gamble pay off?
0:13:19 > 0:13:22In Dorset, architects Paul and Laurence are at the beginning
0:13:22 > 0:13:25of an exciting new project for client Marcus Graziano,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29but they're currently battling to get the amazing factory-built house
0:13:29 > 0:13:31they've designed through planning.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34A few miles away, in a prime part of Poole, they're at the end
0:13:34 > 0:13:38of a project that's been a big landmark for them as a practice.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41They're heading there today to sign the house off.
0:13:44 > 0:13:45The build has taken over 18 months,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48and is on the verge of completion.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51This is exactly what the client was trying to get.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54It's very white, minimal, almost like an art gallery.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57To take full advantage of the sea views,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00the property has floor-to-ceiling windows.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- You wouldn't get tired of that, would you?- Not really, no.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07And clever touches to make the most of the south coast weather.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09This is your Thunderbirds moment.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Actually, all the blades move on a motor, so you can either close
0:14:13 > 0:14:16it off to form a canopy above this terrace area,
0:14:16 > 0:14:18again for sort of shading,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21or you can open it right up and let all the sun in.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24You always need a little bit of magic in your architecture.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29The best views are reserved for the master bedroom on the second floor.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33The nice thing when you're at this height is it's all
0:14:33 > 0:14:36kind of horizon and sky, and water.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42This house has become a showcase for Paul and Lawrence's work.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46It's a piece of architecture where all the elements of kind of
0:14:46 > 0:14:48designing something like this have come together with
0:14:48 > 0:14:52a client that's really passionate about contemporary design.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56It was their reputation for sleek, modern architecture that
0:14:56 > 0:14:59attracted their latest client, Marcus.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02But the Dorset planners aren't so keen on the plans
0:15:02 > 0:15:05for his ultra-modern new home. Now it's up to Paul and Laurence
0:15:05 > 0:15:08to find a way to push their design over the line.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11We felt actually we weren't trying to necessarily drop
0:15:11 > 0:15:13a spaceship into the countryside.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16It was just a kind of... a contemporary take
0:15:16 > 0:15:20on an agricultural-type building, and there's plenty of those types
0:15:20 > 0:15:22of buildings in that area,
0:15:22 > 0:15:24so we felt relatively confident that it could happen.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28If we didn't, we probably would have told Marcus it's not a great
0:15:28 > 0:15:29thing to pursue, really.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Determined not to let his eight-year dream of a new home slip away,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37home owner Marcus calls in his planning contact, who writes
0:15:37 > 0:15:40to the council pointing out that the build may be unusual,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43but there's nothing about it that actually breaks regulations.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45The planning policies are frustrating,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49because they don't encourage contemporary, modern architecture,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52or architecture that's different to its contacts.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55It's actually a lot easier with the planning policies to put
0:15:55 > 0:16:00something back that we consider mundane or of the norm.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02When you're trying to challenge that,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05and break people's preconceptions of what a house is or how
0:16:05 > 0:16:09they want to live, it's very difficult to do that with
0:16:09 > 0:16:11the planning policies that we've got in this country.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14With no planning policies being broken,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17the planners are forced to approve the design.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Now, finally, after eight years of preparation,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Marcus can start the process of packing up and knocking down.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25As we moved furniture away,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28I mean, there was some mould behind some of the walls.
0:16:28 > 0:16:29I knew it was pretty rubbish,
0:16:29 > 0:16:32but when you start moving stuff around, taking the furniture out,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35then you kind of see it, and it's like, really?! It's horrid.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38It's going to be a new experience for everyone involved - neither
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Paul nor Laurence had ever designed or built anything like this before.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Marcus is putting a lot of trust in them,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46risking his savings and his family's home.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51The day you sign on the dotted line, the clock starts to tick, and it's
0:16:51 > 0:16:5412 weeks and they turn up on site, and in six days they've put it up.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Cross your fingers and just hope that it all works out just fine.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00The bungalow's destruction will be the end of a long chapter.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Marcus, his family and dog are moving to a nearby rental property.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04With the house cleared,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Paul is on site with head contractor Barry Bacon.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10You can see the kids' area at the moment is right at the end
0:17:10 > 0:17:13of the garden. Maybe we could make this space a bit more useable.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16One of the planning conditions was that the new house should sit
0:17:16 > 0:17:19on exactly the same footprint as the old one.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23The footprint for the proposed house is the same as the existing.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- OK.- The key to that really is this front building, like.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28We're on the edge of the greenbelt
0:17:28 > 0:17:30here, in terms of village building line.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33This is the village footprint and this is greenbelt?
0:17:33 > 0:17:35- That's right. - Cool. I understand that, thanks.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38What we want to know there is where 20 metres comes.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Communication between Barry and the architects will be vital to
0:17:41 > 0:17:44make sure the design stays true to their vision.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46It is very important that architects have a good relationship with
0:17:46 > 0:17:48builders and main contractors.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52We were thinking about putting a retaining wall there, weren't we?
0:17:52 > 0:17:54There will always be problems on site that the architect
0:17:54 > 0:17:59hasn't always thought of, but Barry's got a very can-do attitude
0:17:59 > 0:18:03towards building, which is what you need.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Barry's biggest concern isn't building the house,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08it's getting the lorries carrying it up the access road.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12We've had one lorry on the site, and it's gone off the road a little bit.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17The articulated lorry is going to be whatever, eight feet wide,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20it's 45 tonnes plus. Not very manoeuvrable.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22It will come up that road,
0:18:22 > 0:18:25if it suddenly disappears into one of those verges,
0:18:25 > 0:18:26what are you going to do?
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Do you pull it backwards? You can't go forwards.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Let's just hope they have access to a recovery service as well,
0:18:31 > 0:18:35because I've got a funny feeling it could be a disastrous morning!
0:18:35 > 0:18:36With the demolition crew set to arrive
0:18:36 > 0:18:41and wet weather forecast, Barry just has to hope he's proved wrong.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44The day has come for Marcus to say farewell to his old house.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Right, there you go. It's all yours. Make it flat.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53- Thanks very much.- Cheers.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55And that's exactly what Barry intends to do.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Demolition day has arrived.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04The Graziano children are there to see their old home destroyed.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08What are you looking forward to most about this?
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Erm, watching it be knocked down.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18The demolition experts make short shrift of the old home.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27In Britain, nearly 16,000 houses a year are demolished.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Having his home reduced to rubble has cost
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Marcus 1% of his £600,000 budget.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36After just two days of ripping up and knocking down,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38the Grazianos' old home is no more.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50In Radlett, 17 miles north of central London, it's a key day
0:19:50 > 0:19:55for architect Bob Thompson and his not so retiring client David Levy.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58David's building and project managing a new extension
0:19:58 > 0:20:00which he wants to finish in time for Christmas.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Well, it started actually with just a small repair to our kitchen,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07and then it's enveloped into, or developed into, this development.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11The wall connecting the old house to the new extension has been
0:20:11 > 0:20:15knocked down, and today the four huge panes of glass that will form
0:20:15 > 0:20:17the new exterior wall are being fitted.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21The first opportunity to see what we've built this extension for,
0:20:21 > 0:20:25see the size of the garden, and it's pleased me,
0:20:25 > 0:20:27but it hasn't pleased my wife.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30She thinks the garden is too small, and she thinks she wants to move.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32I always give David a hard time.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37He always complains that his white hair is because of me.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41But today David only has himself to blame for his white hair.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44He's insisted that the glaziers build the windows Bob designed
0:20:44 > 0:20:47before the frames have been constructed.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51With just a 10mm margin of error, at 6,500 a pop,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53that's a huge risk.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56How much does each glass thing weigh, do you know?
0:20:56 > 0:20:57280 kilos.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Too nervous to watch, David leaves the fitters to it.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22It fits!
0:21:22 > 0:21:23It fits! Thank God for that.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Only three to go now.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32David's got away with it by the skin of his teeth.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36To everyone's relief,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38the rest of the glass is fitted without a hitch.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42That'll do. That's me lot now. I'm going home!
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Looks good though, don't it? It looks smart.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49And only once the builders have gone does David return
0:21:49 > 0:21:51to inspect his new glass doors.
0:21:53 > 0:21:54Is that it?
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Pretty good.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03It's a big enough handle.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Cor, they're going to have to adjust that.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Oh, no... Oh, I see.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16This is a... That's a brake.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21He said one finger - he's right!
0:22:24 > 0:22:25Now.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33It's not a bad view.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37I think I should get a little water feature in there,
0:22:37 > 0:22:39or a pitch and putting green.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Now, if I had a chipping green here...
0:22:45 > 0:22:48We had the subsidence in 2009...
0:22:50 > 0:22:54..and I had an idea with the small amount of money from then
0:22:54 > 0:22:57to start a little build, and it's come out to this!
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Well, we're certainly not moving, that's for sure!
0:23:02 > 0:23:04It's fantastic.
0:23:05 > 0:23:06Even I'm impressed.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13A month later, floor screed has been poured,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16and outside, David's team are cracking on with cladding the
0:23:16 > 0:23:19exterior in an expensive layer of zinc -
0:23:19 > 0:23:22a detail integral to architect Bob's design.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25I think if you don't specify materials
0:23:25 > 0:23:27that are of sufficient quality...
0:23:29 > 0:23:33..it will definitely detract from the whole appearance, so that's why
0:23:33 > 0:23:38it's important that the windows and the zinc cladding are all related
0:23:38 > 0:23:42to one another, and they all have perhaps a slightly industrial feel.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45That was something that the clients wanted.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48Look at that - like a glove.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52These doors and windows are very sophisticated, so if you don't use
0:23:52 > 0:23:57a sophisticated cladding material, again it often doesn't look right.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01The build is cracking on apace - the floor's dry,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04the walls are plastered - but David's reeling from news of a delay
0:24:04 > 0:24:07that's left his plans to have Christmas in his new extension
0:24:07 > 0:24:09in tatters...
0:24:09 > 0:24:15Well, Christmas dinner will be served in this, because the kitchen
0:24:15 > 0:24:20company are now fitting January the 6th. Fantastic(!)
0:24:21 > 0:24:23I'm not amused!
0:24:24 > 0:24:26I can't blame anybody else but myself, I suppose.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29My wife's blaming me, of course. It's all my fault.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Two weeks into the new year,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37and the kitchen fitters are finally on site, but with no explanation,
0:24:37 > 0:24:41some of the units and the work surfaces haven't been delivered.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Well, we need it. Chris said they're going to turn up today.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Are they seriously saying it's not going to be here tomorrow?
0:24:52 > 0:24:57Sorry, Sophie, we're just wondering, is it going to be here tomorrow?
0:24:58 > 0:24:59No.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Absolutely... This is ridiculous.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Yeah. Erm...
0:25:05 > 0:25:08I'll just pass the phone over. Cheers.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14You've got a very strange understanding of the word 'today'.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18I was told in no uncertain terms that it would be
0:25:18 > 0:25:20here for Monday - that's already four weeks overdue.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Where is it?
0:25:25 > 0:25:27I've organised a plumber again.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31I've delayed him three times. I've organised him for today.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34He can't come today if we haven't got the units.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37This is delay upon delay.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39I just don't understand what's going on.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44Can you ask Chris to give me a call urgently? OK.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48The kitchen company eventually admit that they've
0:25:48 > 0:25:51gone into administration, leaving David, Orly
0:25:51 > 0:25:54and their kitchen plans high and dry.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57With over 210 building firms becoming insolvent last year
0:25:57 > 0:26:00alone, David is among thousands of people across the country
0:26:00 > 0:26:03left to pick up the pieces on their builds.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06As project manager, the responsibility to make sure
0:26:06 > 0:26:09the job gets finished rests totally on his shoulders.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19It's March, six months since the project began, and architect Bob
0:26:19 > 0:26:23is back to see if David's managed to overcome such a major setback.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Before the project started, David
0:26:27 > 0:26:30and Orly had an ordinary house that they just weren't happy with.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34The old kitchen was dark and uninviting.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36It's now a striking,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39vibrant space which embodies the personality of its owners.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43And the new living space gives them a whole new area to live and
0:26:43 > 0:26:47relax in, with the huge glass doors giving amazing views of the garden.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52The initial budget was £120,000.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55It took an extra two months,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58and David has said he'll never reveal the final budget to anyone.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01But he and Orly finally have their dream home.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06- So, the kitchen works for you? - Yes, it does. It's my dream kitchen.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Your dream kitchen.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11I mean, somebody who's got good taste is so much better.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Oh, thank you, Bob. That's very kind of you.
0:27:13 > 0:27:14No, it's great.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17You can pick up the cheque afterwards!
0:27:22 > 0:27:25We're always having to design TARDISes, you know,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28that are tiny on the outside and massive on the inside.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32This feels massive on the inside, but it also I feel is in proportion.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34It's a bit like, you know, a shop front, you know, in the high street.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38You make a big glass shop front in front of, you know, what started
0:27:38 > 0:27:41life as little houses, because you want to draw people in.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43And this is kind of this in reverse.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46It's certainly brought the... I mean, it's like a picture frame.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Absolutely, yeah.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Now we've done this extension, I think it's transformed the house.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54There's nothing really wrong with it.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56- Nothing wrong. - Nothing can be better now.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00I wouldn't mind a third floor and a gym and a swimming pool,
0:28:00 > 0:28:02but other than that it's perfect.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10Next time on Building Dream Homes - there's trouble in Edinburgh,
0:28:10 > 0:28:12when an architect's plans aren't followed.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15He's cut it in, which is wrong. He should have kept it out.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18And in Dorset, even after getting over the hurdle of planning,
0:28:18 > 0:28:20the build is still in peril,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23when Barry's fears about access become a reality...
0:28:23 > 0:28:26He's come in on an angle, and ripped up the road.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28We had it going lovely until then,
0:28:28 > 0:28:32but he's now ripped his exhaust pipe off.