0:00:02 > 0:00:05Across the nation architects are building, designing and transforming the 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 groundbreaking design.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Their jaw would drop if they saw that.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17I can't believe it.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22We'll be with them every step of the way, as they battle
0:00:22 > 0:00:25with builders, blueprints and the clients who hire them.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28You've got a very strange understanding of the word "today".
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:00:32 > 0:00:33That's not good.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35It'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 > 0:00:45He's come in on an angle and ripped up the road,
0:00:45 > 0:00:48but he's now ripped his exhaust pipe off.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Oh, man!
0:00:52 > 0:00:54I've said many prayers.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56That's amazing!
0:00:56 > 0:00:59That's a pretty incredible difference, isn't it?
0:00:59 > 0:01:01The fixings alone cost 17 grand.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08..all in the name of making the properties we dream of a reality.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Today, architects Paul and Laurence are pushing ahead
0:01:23 > 0:01:26with their pioneering factory-built house in Dorset.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Mono-pitched roof.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Big expanses of glazing on the south side of the building
0:01:31 > 0:01:34that incorporate those views. It'll be a great space for them.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Ellie! Keep an eye on the boards.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42But the winter weather puts the whole build in jeopardy.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46He's come in on an angle and ripped up the road
0:01:46 > 0:01:49but he's now ripped his exhaust pipe off.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51And in Linlithgow, in Scotland,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53a historic house gets a fabulous kitchen extension,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57but there's trouble in store for architect, Chris Dinnis.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00He's cut it in, which is wrong, he should have kept it out.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03It's not quite how I drew them.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Eight years ago, recruitment company director Marcus Graziano
0:02:13 > 0:02:17bought this dilapidated 1930s bungalow in Dorset for himself
0:02:17 > 0:02:18and his growing family.
0:02:18 > 0:02:19It was all about the location.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23It was nice rural views, great countryside.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26After years of saving and scheming, with planning in place
0:02:26 > 0:02:29and the old bungalow demolished, Marcus has finally
0:02:29 > 0:02:32put his plans to rebuild this ageing home into action.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34What are you looking forward to most about this?
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Er, watching it be knocked down.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41To help him, he's enlisted the design expertise of architects
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Paul Robinson and Laurence Bowen,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46and what they're planning is no ordinary two-up two-down.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48With a budget of £600,000, Paul
0:02:48 > 0:02:52and Laurence are planning a bespoke house to be built in a factory
0:02:52 > 0:02:55in Germany and then dropped onto the footprint of Marcus's old home.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58The shell should take just five days to assemble
0:02:58 > 0:03:00once it arrives from the continent.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03None of them have done anything like this before,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06but Paul's confident it's the way to go.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11The prefabricated route is looking at methods of construction
0:03:11 > 0:03:16off of site...that then a kit of parts arrive on site
0:03:16 > 0:03:21and then bolted together so you get a waterproof shell relatively quickly.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23It could be days rather than months.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27But before the shell arrives, the foundations have to be laid,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31and faced with the wettest winter on record, things aren't going to plan.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Ellie! Keep an eye on the boards.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41During a build, the bit you can't control is the ground conditions.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Weeks of heavy rain have created a real issue
0:03:43 > 0:03:45for head builder Barry Bacon.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48He's trying to get the concrete foundations poured and set
0:03:48 > 0:03:50before the house arrives in just eight weeks' time.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Keep it trapped in there, all right?
0:03:52 > 0:03:55This part here has been really, really challenging, this.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58We've had it collapsing and all sorts.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01You can see where we're having to physically hold the clay boards in
0:04:01 > 0:04:03as we pump the concrete in.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05More rain is forecast.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08If Barry doesn't get the foundations in before then,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11the trenches could collapse completely.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Today he has 30 lorries of concrete arriving,
0:04:14 > 0:04:16each weighing over 20 tonnes,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19but it's not just the trenches that have taken a battering
0:04:19 > 0:04:20from the British weather -
0:04:20 > 0:04:23the access to the site has become his worst nightmare.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26We've got a building site which is actually set
0:04:26 > 0:04:28quite a long way off the main road.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31We're using a private driveway, heavy lorries are pushing
0:04:31 > 0:04:34through the road and disappearing into the mud.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38As you can see, we're trying to fill up the ruts with concrete blocks -
0:04:38 > 0:04:40anything just so the lorries can get traction
0:04:40 > 0:04:42to get themselves up the drive.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45We're starting to get problems now after ten.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47I've got another 20 lorries to go for,
0:04:47 > 0:04:51so 30 lorry loads over this... you know, we're struggling NOW.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54So we're most probably going to throw almost
0:04:54 > 0:04:56150 concrete blocks in the holes.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Hopefully it will eventually settle down.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Barry's emergency block road seems to be doing the job,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05and the next few lorries wallow through the field of mud.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08But as more trucks arrive, the blocks get pushed deeper
0:05:08 > 0:05:12into the ground and become more of a hazard to the lorries than a help.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Have a run-up at it.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Here we go.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24He's come in on an angle and ripped up the road.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26We had it going lovely until then.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28But he's now ripped his exhaust pipe off.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35I can actually see the concrete-lorry drivers -
0:05:35 > 0:05:38because they own their lorries - refusing to come here,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42so then we have got some interesting developments we've got to deal with.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Just keep going with the blocks there. We'll just build a concrete-block road.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Throwing all his men
0:05:51 > 0:05:54and even more concrete blocks at the problem,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Barry finally manages to get the stranded truck up the drive
0:05:56 > 0:05:58to deliver its load.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04But just because it can get in doesn't mean it can get out again.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Oh, my God, he's going to get stuck.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24Barry is forced into making a difficult decision.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26We're going to call the pour off now.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30It's causing too much damage, and I don't want it to get dangerous.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33It's a house that will only take five days to erect,
0:06:33 > 0:06:37but it won't go up at all if solid foundations can't be poured.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Tough day, very tough day.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42First time I suppose I feel like I've been defeated,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45even though, you know, these things come to try you.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52One in eight homeowners choose to renovate or extend,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55rather than move. That's exactly what husband and wife
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Brian and Morag Grant have decided to do.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59They live in the ancient Scottish town of Linlithgow,
0:06:59 > 0:07:01and are battling with a historic house that's been
0:07:01 > 0:07:03outgrown by their ever-increasing family.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07We've currently got a three-bedroom house with three children.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10We'd really like the children to have their own room each.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14The girls are sharing at the moment and, with three growing children,
0:07:14 > 0:07:16one bathroom is proving a challenge.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Brian and Morag are determined to keep the historic charm
0:07:19 > 0:07:23of their property so have employed architects Chris Dinnis
0:07:23 > 0:07:26and Carolyn Whiteford to design and supervise the extension.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29When you're adding onto a property like that,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32you can either go ultra-modern or try and do it in a manner
0:07:32 > 0:07:34that you think it was always there,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37and that's something that always appeals to me -
0:07:37 > 0:07:40to try and make the whole working of the house and extension
0:07:40 > 0:07:44perhaps what could have been originally, and visually also.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47The brief was to get us at least one more bedroom
0:07:47 > 0:07:52and increase the bathroom capacity, so I think we're...
0:07:52 > 0:07:57The brief also was I've lived with a disaster of a kitchen
0:07:57 > 0:08:01for 12 years and have desperately been wanting to replace it.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05I foresaw that there seemed to be an opportunity to use
0:08:05 > 0:08:09the half-landing of the existing house as an access
0:08:09 > 0:08:14to a proposed two-storey development at the rear,
0:08:14 > 0:08:18keeping within the existing eaves line of the main house.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22And the garden has a fall from left to right.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24I thought, if we can take advantage of that,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27we could then get a two-storey element in the back
0:08:27 > 0:08:31no higher than the existing eaves but with access from the middle landing.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35The new two-storey extension will replace the old stone storeroom
0:08:35 > 0:08:37to the rear, and contain an ultra-modern kitchen/diner,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40with an en-suite master bedroom above,
0:08:40 > 0:08:41accessed from the half landing.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44The old kitchen will become another living room.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Morag and Brian have a budget of £150,000,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51and Chris is hoping to have the build completed in 19 weeks.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54The budget will cover the cost of all the building work,
0:08:54 > 0:08:57a new kitchen and bathroom and the architect's design fees.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02The builders have been on site for 14 weeks,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04and the main super-structure is up.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07For Morag, it's another step closer to her dream kitchen.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Oh, yes, I will be very glad to get a new kitchen.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13This has been a thorn in my side
0:09:13 > 0:09:16for pretty much the whole time we've lived here.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Just a nice bigger space
0:09:19 > 0:09:22and drawers that work would be a bonus,
0:09:22 > 0:09:26and ovens that display the temperature they're at
0:09:26 > 0:09:27and things like that!
0:09:27 > 0:09:30It'll be quite a nice novelty, actually.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33But IT consultant Brian, who works from home,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36is finding working in a building site somewhat challenging.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40You can imagine sitting in here trying to do conference calls
0:09:40 > 0:09:42and speak to people on the phone
0:09:42 > 0:09:46while there's pneumatic drills just through the wall here -
0:09:46 > 0:09:50it doesn't really help so it's...
0:09:50 > 0:09:53yeah, it's a bit of a challenge.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57But just when Brian thought the majority of the structural work
0:09:57 > 0:10:00was over, 17 weeks into the build, he and Morag have decided
0:10:00 > 0:10:04to go with a big alteration suggested by Chris and Carolyn.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06We uncovered more space than we realised,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09that because of the difference in level, there's actually
0:10:09 > 0:10:12space in the eaves that we're going to utilise
0:10:12 > 0:10:15to put part of the shower room upstairs into the eaves,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18and put the little toilet in underneath
0:10:18 > 0:10:21because that just helps the layout, then they can have
0:10:21 > 0:10:23a much wider shower in the bathroom
0:10:23 > 0:10:26and it helps the shape of the bedroom.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31As I said, I'm quite a large chap so, you know,
0:10:31 > 0:10:38getting more space is always a bonus for me, you know.
0:10:38 > 0:10:39You can be looking at something for weeks
0:10:39 > 0:10:41and then one day it just hits you in the head.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Oh, my God, that's it, of course. What on earth were you doing?!
0:10:44 > 0:10:47And, you know, but you sometimes have to be there.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49No matter how much drawing you do, discussion, until you're there
0:10:49 > 0:10:52it doesn't necessarily... the light doesn't go on.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56We're delighted, actually, with the decision to do that.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59We think it will make a really positive difference to what we get
0:10:59 > 0:11:02in the bathroom and bedroom upstairs.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06One person who isn't so happy about the change is site manager Ross.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10I would have liked to have not been carrying it out at this stage
0:11:10 > 0:11:13but the architect, Christopher Dinnis,
0:11:13 > 0:11:17is...quite adamant that he wanted us to open up into there,
0:11:17 > 0:11:18which is fine. I mean,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21he's only got the customers' best interests at heart
0:11:21 > 0:11:22at the end of the day.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24The job may sound small
0:11:24 > 0:11:27but because of its position it's actually very complex.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31So, the initial construction was to create a doorway here with
0:11:31 > 0:11:36steps down leading from the existing landing into the new extension.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Um, this is the void that we've found
0:11:38 > 0:11:41within the existing construction that we're looking to utilise
0:11:41 > 0:11:42for the toilet.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Because the void space is in the eaves of the main house,
0:11:45 > 0:11:47the access is incredibly difficult.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52It's just there's not a lot of space to work in in here.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59Working round the props and the oxter that's holding up...
0:11:59 > 0:12:01well, WAS holding up the roof.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06The space isn't just small, it also houses crucial roof supports.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10It's pretty much an integral part of the structure.
0:12:10 > 0:12:16The idea is to prop it up with the Acros, the weight is then transferred
0:12:16 > 0:12:19onto them, then we can take this section of the wall down.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23One mistake could see the whole roof collapse.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30The house is over 100 years old
0:12:30 > 0:12:32so removing the wall could uncover anything.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- There's quite a bit in... - Take that, chuck that?
0:12:38 > 0:12:40The steel's under there
0:12:40 > 0:12:42and it's been pieced in with brick underneath, if you like.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46It's reinforced with metal rods so we've got to...
0:12:46 > 0:12:50And it's tied in under the brickwork
0:12:50 > 0:12:53that's supporting the rest of the bathroom floor there
0:12:53 > 0:12:56so we've just got to take it easy and try and get it out.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59One false move could set the build back by weeks.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04With the project due to complete in just 14 days, will Chris's new space
0:13:04 > 0:13:08for the toilet see the budget and the schedule spiral out of control?
0:13:10 > 0:13:12It's in there.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Back in Dorset, head builder Barry has made a difficult decision.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18The lorries are just too heavy so what we're going to do is
0:13:18 > 0:13:22we're going to pour the concrete - on the last three loads I've got -
0:13:22 > 0:13:24on the floor, and we're going to go for four tomorrow.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Using the cement that's meant for the foundations on the driveway
0:13:27 > 0:13:29is literally pouring money away.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33The cost of cement has already rocketed by £15,000.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36But with the house set to arrive in just six weeks,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38time is not on their side.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45While the foundation pour continues,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48head builder Barry slips away for an important meeting
0:13:48 > 0:13:51with architect Paul and their client, Marcus, at a nearby quarry.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Although the ultra modern pre-fabricated timber frame
0:13:57 > 0:14:00is being constructed and shipped from Germany,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02Paul's keen that the more traditional stone
0:14:02 > 0:14:06being used on the new house should come from a much more local source.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Purbeck limestone has a superb reputation for wear and durability.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Stan Bonfield's family have been quarrying the stone
0:14:13 > 0:14:15in the local area since 1651
0:14:15 > 0:14:18and have been on this site for nearly 40 years.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24It's an ongoing thing with restoration,
0:14:24 > 0:14:26flooring and architectural work.
0:14:26 > 0:14:32We've just done St Paul's cathedral, the Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35But today, it's Marcus's new build that could be getting
0:14:35 > 0:14:37the Purbeck limestone treatment.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41I love that effect, but if we can make it even sharper...
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Yeah.- You know, because that's what normally gets done,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46that's what we've got to achieve.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- I think that's quite a nice mixture of stone sizes as well.- Yeah.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Probably not on this elevation, but on that side...- Yeah, 60ml. Yeah.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58This is close to what we're trying to achieve.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00It's got the appearance of a dry-stone wall
0:15:00 > 0:15:05but it's actually bedded in mortar, but the mortar is pushed back away
0:15:05 > 0:15:09from the face of the wall so you get this...like dry-joint look, really.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11But, yeah, it's almost there.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14The only thing I'd probably do different is we're not going
0:15:14 > 0:15:17to emphasise the corners so much as this is on here,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20with these bigger stones, we almost want to keep that effect
0:15:20 > 0:15:23and wrap it around the corners as well.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25For Paul, the quarry trip has delivered
0:15:25 > 0:15:27exactly what he'd hoped for.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29As an architect, it's great
0:15:29 > 0:15:33when you can keep things local or use natural materials.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38It's more sustainable, you know, you're not trying to ship
0:15:38 > 0:15:41something from either side of the earth to get it here.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44And it's been an eye-opener for client Marcus as well.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47We certainly want to use this for the external walling,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50and the sizes of the various pieces of stone
0:15:50 > 0:15:54and different combinations - so that's one question answered,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57and then it's just where we're using it in other parts.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Will we use it on the flooring, or the window reveals or the stairs
0:16:00 > 0:16:03or other places we hadn't thought about using it
0:16:03 > 0:16:05so...food for thought.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Things may have gone well at the quarry,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11but for Barry the visit has just been a welcome distraction
0:16:11 > 0:16:13from the quagmire of a site he's battling.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17In just six weeks it will have to take the weight of a 47-tonne house,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19so there's no room for soggy foundations.
0:16:23 > 0:16:28Stonework has also been integral to the build in Linlithgow.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Brian and Morag have spent around £15,000 on stone and masonry -
0:16:32 > 0:16:35that's a whopping 10% of their total budget.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Unlike the house in Poole, they hope the stone will blend seamlessly.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43The old...finishes on that line there,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46you can see the line of the roof -
0:16:46 > 0:16:53it finishes down here - and then all of this is new, from here onwards.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57They've managed to cleverly cut costs by re-using
0:16:57 > 0:17:00the sandstone from their original storeroom
0:17:00 > 0:17:03and have sourced the remainder from a local merchant.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08I think the stonemason Eric has made a fabulous job of it - I really do.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11I would defy you to work out what was an old piece of stone
0:17:11 > 0:17:13and what was a new piece of stone
0:17:13 > 0:17:15round about it, I really would.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18I think it's a real piece of craftsmanship, actually.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Everything's moving ahead with the rest of the project.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25We just got the worktop today, actually,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27so I've only seen it an hour ago.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32Yeah, I just... I think it's fantastic.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34When we moved into the house 12 years ago,
0:17:34 > 0:17:36I said we'd need to replace the kitchen -
0:17:36 > 0:17:38there was so many things wrong with it -
0:17:38 > 0:17:40so 12 years later I've got my replacement,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42so that didn't take long, did it?
0:17:42 > 0:17:45And the stairs that will join the old house to the new kitchen
0:17:45 > 0:17:47are also going in.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50That's actually the first time... because the stairs just,
0:17:50 > 0:17:52the stairs just came this week, so that's the first time
0:17:52 > 0:17:55I've seen what it will be like coming in the house
0:17:55 > 0:17:57to actually see all the way down and through,
0:17:57 > 0:17:59so it looks quite good - very light and bright.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03It's lovely. The view marred by many, many builders, obviously.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05SHE LAUGHS
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Chris and Carolyn are heading to site to inspect Ross's handiwork
0:18:09 > 0:18:12with the removed wall and the expansion of the new en-suite.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Ah, there we are. That's it.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Brilliant.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19You see the propping we've had to do here...
0:18:21 > 0:18:23It's not been easy.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25No, it's an awkward area, actually,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27because you got sort of half-height spaces.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29It's just trying to get a six-foot bricklayer up here
0:18:29 > 0:18:31to fit in-between the spaces!
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- It's a lot of space here, isn't it? - It sure is.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36So that's going to be all cut back?
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Well, you can only go as far back as there.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40That can be cut back.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42Ah, sorry, it just needs to be cut back to the uprights.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46That'll come down and that'll provide a foot inside there
0:18:46 > 0:18:50to conceal the cistern at the back, so it'll just work in perfect.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Everything's going to plan inside,
0:18:52 > 0:18:56but outside, Chris spots a problem with the stonemason's work.
0:18:56 > 0:18:57He's cut it in, which is wrong.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59He should have kept it out.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03The actual stones I was wanting to be a bit bigger, but the mason
0:19:03 > 0:19:06basically formed the seat for the cope stone to sit in,
0:19:06 > 0:19:08so that is a lock, but my...
0:19:08 > 0:19:11the way I've drawn it, I want it slightly bigger than that
0:19:11 > 0:19:14because I just feel that it's going to tip out,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16and also we need to just have it free
0:19:16 > 0:19:18so that surface goes beyond the surface wall.
0:19:18 > 0:19:19If it's not put right
0:19:19 > 0:19:22it could cause serious problems with the house in the future.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24What has happened,
0:19:24 > 0:19:29the builders just finished the stone flush with the wall,
0:19:29 > 0:19:33so the water's coming down there and it's running straight down the wall.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Now, that means all that section of wall
0:19:36 > 0:19:38over the course of time gets damp,
0:19:38 > 0:19:39so my putt stone is...
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Really all that happens is... we actually continue
0:19:43 > 0:19:49this last stone, and it comes beyond the wall, like that,
0:19:49 > 0:19:50so the water comes down here
0:19:50 > 0:19:55and then it drips free, so the wall below is dry.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58It's just like having a good tailor do a good finishing stitch.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02Whatever, you know, it's just the proper way to do it.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Stonemason Eric heads back to site to replace the putt stones.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12I'm taking this skew putt out, which is here.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17I'm going to replace it with a long one.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21It's the architect's decision.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25He's changed his mind.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29It's not in his drawing, so it's obviously an extra.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33He's come up with this decision in a latter stage.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Creating the new putt stone is a complex task
0:20:36 > 0:20:38that will take time and money.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Eric trained to be a stonemason at the age of 15.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Now, some 49 years later,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53he still uses traditional techniques as well as the power tools.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00I'm stugging the face of this stone. It's very hard stone.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03It's an old railway cope stone,
0:21:03 > 0:21:07so it's been exposed throughout the years, and it's solid.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Actually, it's nearly like a granite so I can't use
0:21:10 > 0:21:15the conventional stone-cutting tools so I have to use a heavy-duty.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17It's to match in with the existing.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20See, they've stugged that before. What they've done was,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23rather than put a shiny face on it, which would take longer,
0:21:23 > 0:21:29they would probably just take it and stug it, just to flatten it.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36Having created the new putt stones, they're ready to be put in place.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Let's hope they're up to Chris's exacting standards.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Back at his practice, Chris is taking a break
0:21:57 > 0:21:59from Morag and Brian's sandstone extension
0:21:59 > 0:22:03to reflect on his 40-year professional anniversary.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07Because everybody doesn't necessarily have that aspect
0:22:07 > 0:22:11or ability or understanding of their environment, you know,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14from a blank piece of paper, to see it evolve...
0:22:14 > 0:22:18and that's something that I've been blessed with.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21He runs his popular practice from his home,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24alongside his colleague, Carolyn Whiteford.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26I say to Carolyn in the morning sometimes -
0:22:26 > 0:22:29I'll come downstairs - "Well, that's a heavy commute today.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31"I'm really sorry I'm so late!"
0:22:31 > 0:22:34I'll put that there.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37This is our morning coffee break.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Well, we'll get out to my glory hole -
0:22:43 > 0:22:46I think that's the only description of it.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49And with retirement on the horizon, Chris is starting to feel
0:22:49 > 0:22:53a little sentimental about his years at the drawing board.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56This is where all the things you don't want to know about
0:22:56 > 0:22:59get put away and forgotten.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Oops! This is something interesting.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05These are drawings from literally the first year
0:23:05 > 0:23:11I started my practice, which is now - believe it or not - 40 years ago.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13You literally drew it all out.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Here you are. February 1974.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18I think there's a great loss in architecture
0:23:18 > 0:23:22because people aren't actually having to physically do a drawing.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26And I think the computer is very clever but you actually lose
0:23:26 > 0:23:30a lot of the creativity and spontaneity of architecture,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33and I see more and more people coming into being architects,
0:23:33 > 0:23:35who I don't think they should be there
0:23:35 > 0:23:36because they don't understand,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39and that's reflected in the buildings that are being built.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42From chapels and churches to small huts and huge houses,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Chris has worked on over 1,000 commissions
0:23:45 > 0:23:48throughout his career and is proud of every one of them.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Well, I think I've been very privileged to be an architect
0:23:51 > 0:23:55in this city because there's so much good architecture in the city,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58which is enjoyed by everybody
0:23:58 > 0:24:01and I feel that perhaps I've made a little contribution,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04but I'm sure it's not a majestic contribution,
0:24:04 > 0:24:08but hopefully for the benefit of the citizens of Edinburgh,
0:24:08 > 0:24:10in terms of domestic work.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Over the whole of Edinburgh I've had my little fingers
0:24:13 > 0:24:15dabbling away at various points.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21And his latest project in Linlithgow is finally finished.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Six weeks later, Chris and Carolyn are back
0:24:26 > 0:24:28to check on the results of their design.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31No sign of the builders, which is good news.
0:24:31 > 0:24:32That IS good news.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35See if they're in.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39- Hello, Morag, how are you? - Lovely to see you.
0:24:40 > 0:24:4425 weeks ago, the Grants had a small stone storage room
0:24:44 > 0:24:46on the back of the house.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Now they have a beautiful two-storey extension.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Chris and Carolyn's design has turned
0:24:56 > 0:25:00a once-cramped and dated house into a spacious family home.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04The Grants now have a huge kitchen/diner
0:25:04 > 0:25:06and a sizeable master bedroom and en-suite.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- This is lovely. - All remodelled and redecorated.
0:25:12 > 0:25:13I like it.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15That's really nice.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18I think we originally had the shower was going to come here.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23That would have created havoc fitting furniture around.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24Yes, that's right.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28Until we had the brilliant idea of looking in the old roof void.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29Yes, absolutely.
0:25:29 > 0:25:34No, the room would have been far less useable and successful
0:25:34 > 0:25:36if we had indeed had that corner
0:25:36 > 0:25:40having the en-suite, which is next door.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44This is the piece de resistance, isn't it?
0:25:44 > 0:25:50The recess in here, which works perfectly. It really does.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53I mean, perfect. And then you've got a nice, wide shower
0:25:53 > 0:25:57and a really nice bathroom space here with your own window
0:25:57 > 0:26:00to look out of while you're having a shower.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01I think that's great.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05And Morag is especially pleased with one aspect of her re-vamped home.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07My favourite part is definitely the kitchen, yes.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12Yeah, I mean, I think we spend a good bit of time down here now,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15which we didn't spend in the other kitchen,
0:26:15 > 0:26:22so it's been the biggest change to the way we operate as a family.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25The Grants have increased the footprint of their house
0:26:25 > 0:26:29by nearly 40%, although the skill of stonemason Eric has meant
0:26:29 > 0:26:33the new extension has blended seamlessly to the existing house.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Maybe it's not what you want
0:26:35 > 0:26:37but a lot of people have said that they hadn't realised,
0:26:37 > 0:26:41even walking up to the house, that there was an extension on the house
0:26:41 > 0:26:44because the stonework ties in so well with the house as it was.
0:26:44 > 0:26:50So it's a real artform to deliver that, and Eric did a fantastic job.
0:26:50 > 0:26:51- Wonderful.- It looks really well.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54And it runs right up here, which is good.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56There was one element of the stonework that Chris wasn't
0:26:56 > 0:26:57so happy with -
0:26:57 > 0:27:00the putt stone, which directs water away from the surface of the wall.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Today, he's finally going to see the replacement.
0:27:06 > 0:27:07It's not quite how I drew them,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10but on the other hand it's rather interesting, isn't it?
0:27:10 > 0:27:13It's nice. It's a lovely colour of stone as well.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15I like it.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18It's a piece of creative interpretation -
0:27:18 > 0:27:20that's what it is, and that's what I like.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23That's brilliant. No, that's really nice.
0:27:24 > 0:27:25I've always liked living here.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28I've liked the house,
0:27:28 > 0:27:32but was not happy with, particularly the old kitchen, which was
0:27:32 > 0:27:36frankly falling apart, and just feeling that, you know...
0:27:36 > 0:27:41the kids sharing bedrooms, so I'm delighted with what we've got now.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Still living where we were before, but we've got all this lovely space.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50It makes me very happy. This house makes me very happy.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55A thank-you from a client is almost worth more than a fee,
0:27:55 > 0:27:59and in this case, just to see happy faces really gives us
0:27:59 > 0:28:04a great boost and makes the whole job first-class and worthwhile.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Next time on Building Dream Homes -
0:28:11 > 0:28:15in Glasgow, architect Gerry takes on a crumbling conservation project.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17When we take away these horizontal
0:28:17 > 0:28:22and vertical members, then there is a structural problem with the roof.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25It essentially wants to collapse out the way.
0:28:25 > 0:28:26And for Marcus, a visit to Germany
0:28:26 > 0:28:30to see his house being made doesn't go quite to plan.
0:28:30 > 0:28:31That's not good.