0:00:02 > 0:00:04Across the nation architects are building,
0:00:04 > 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 > 0:00:11- and not just do it for others. - We're following some of those
0:00:11 > 0:00:13leading 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.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22We'll be with them every step of the way as they battle with
0:00:22 > 0:00:25builders, blueprints and the clients who hire them.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29You've got a very strange understanding of the word "today".
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:00:31 > 0:00:32That's not good.
0:00:32 > 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 > 0:00:50Oh, man!
0:00:52 > 0:00:55I've said many prayers.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58That's amazing! That'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.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24Today, the amazing pre-fabricated house designed by architect Paul
0:01:24 > 0:01:27comes to life in a factory in Germany.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29It's quite large, isn't it? Wow.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Very impressive.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34But even German precision engineering can sometimes go awry.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37That's not good.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39And in Glasgow, architect Gerry
0:01:39 > 0:01:42takes on a historically important property...
0:01:42 > 0:01:44It's a privilege to be able to work with a building like this.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47It's "A"-listed because of its special character.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49..where if he doesn't get his calculations right,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52things could go very, very wrong.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54There is a structural problem with the roof.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56It essentially wants to collapse out the way, like that.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08In Dorset, company director Marcus Grazziano
0:02:08 > 0:02:12and his family are building their new home.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16The 1930s bungalow Marcus purchased for its beautiful views
0:02:16 > 0:02:18almost a decade ago has been demolished.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21After a monumental battle against the elements,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23the foundations have gone in.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26This part here has been really, really challenging, this has.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28We've had it collapsing and all sorts.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32You can see where we're having to physically hold the clay boards in
0:02:32 > 0:02:34as we pump the concrete in.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38And the site is now ready for Marcus to put up something quite special.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41The man who has designed Marcus's new home is architect
0:02:41 > 0:02:42Paul Robinson.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45He's come up with a sophisticated yet simple plan,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47making full use of the great views.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49We decided to introduce some nice spaces internally
0:02:49 > 0:02:51like some double-height spaces.
0:02:51 > 0:02:52It's a family home.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Having spaces that flow vertically as well as horizontally with
0:02:56 > 0:02:58the idea that, you know, Tanya can be in the kitchen,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00the kids can be upstairs in a separate lounge
0:03:00 > 0:03:03but you've got that double height galleried landing
0:03:03 > 0:03:06where she can just shout up to them, you know, "Your tea's ready,"
0:03:06 > 0:03:08or "Do you want a drink?"
0:03:08 > 0:03:10It just helps the house work for a family, really.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13But what's unusual about this project is that the entire shell
0:03:13 > 0:03:18of the building is being made 500 miles away in a factory in Germany.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21It eliminates risk involved with working on site in terms
0:03:21 > 0:03:25of weather conditions, things going wrong on site -
0:03:25 > 0:03:29it just takes all of that out of the programme.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33The bespoke prefabricated house is being produced by Streif -
0:03:33 > 0:03:35trail blazers in the timber frame housing market -
0:03:35 > 0:03:37before being shipped to site.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43For a third of Marcus's £600,000 budget,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45they're able to perfectly reproduce Paul's designs
0:03:45 > 0:03:47and the controlled environment here
0:03:47 > 0:03:50means flat-packed houses fly off the production line.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Marcus's house is due to take just five days to go through the factory
0:03:54 > 0:03:57and then only another five days to assemble on site.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Today, architect Paul, client Marcus, and head contractor Barry
0:04:02 > 0:04:07have come to Germany to see how the house is shaping up on the factory floor.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11We're hoping to see the house come together, the reality of all this planning.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13See it on the production line.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15Yeah, it'll be quite exciting.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Each super-insulated solid timber frame
0:04:17 > 0:04:19already has its internal skins,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22windows and even the electrical socket holes
0:04:22 > 0:04:25fixed in place before it's delivered to site.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29What's great about this system... it's not a panel system -
0:04:29 > 0:04:31it can be bespoke, so there is still that freedom for us
0:04:31 > 0:04:35as architects to be able to do quite a bespoke design.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37We wasn't compromised in any way because we were trying to do
0:04:37 > 0:04:41a prefabricated timber building, you know.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42We almost did the design first
0:04:42 > 0:04:45and then we thought about how we were going to build it.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Keeping an eye on every aspect of Paul's design on the factory floor
0:04:48 > 0:04:51is Bill Treves, who'll handle Marcus' house
0:04:51 > 0:04:53right through to its delivery and assembly in Dorset.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57So this is where it starts, basically.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01How many properties are on the line at any one time?
0:05:01 > 0:05:04It varies. At the moment there's yours, Grasmere,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- and I think at least two or three others.- OK.
0:05:07 > 0:05:1047 tonnes of timber are needed to produce
0:05:10 > 0:05:13the 87 panels required to construct Marcus's dream home.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24And that's not all that's impressive.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27The massive rear patio doors to Marcus's house have been
0:05:27 > 0:05:29designed by Paul to make the most of the views
0:05:29 > 0:05:32and they're about to see the huge steel frame that will hold them.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37There is your nine-metre goal post. That is your opening.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- It's quite large, isn't it? - It's quite large. - Yeah, exactly.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44That was exactly my reaction when I saw it yesterday.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49- You went, "Wow!" - I don't think I was expecting it to quite look like that,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51but when you see the size of it
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- and then you imagine it with the glass in - very impressive.- Yeah.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58But even in the controlled environment of a factory,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00it pays to keep your wits about you.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08That's not good. Whoops.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11A crucial panel has fallen off its support -
0:06:11 > 0:06:13a rare slip-up from the Germans.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Mate, that's unfortunate. You know, we're building a bespoke house here.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- Even the Germans make mistakes! - Even the Germans make mistakes!
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Careful checks are made to ensure no damage has been done
0:06:23 > 0:06:25before it's shipped over to the UK.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Astonishingly, it's all OK.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31The rest of the day goes smoothly.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34There's even time for a spot of tool envy.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37That's a serious bit of kit. That would be fun, that would be.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Seeing the processes involved in building Marcus's dream home
0:06:40 > 0:06:42has fired all their enthusiasm.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44The whole scale of the thing is pretty impressive.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47You can see it and you can look at walls and you can go, "Well,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50"that wall butts on to that wall, and that's going to create that room."
0:06:50 > 0:06:52And that's what brings it all to life.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55I just want it to come now, it's as simple as that -
0:06:55 > 0:06:57I want it to be there so we can start putting it up
0:06:57 > 0:06:59because we're ready for it in England.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02We've just now got to wait for this production line to produce
0:07:02 > 0:07:05the product and get it on to the lorries and get it to us.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Everything is good in Germany,
0:07:07 > 0:07:11but back in England, the worst storm in hundreds of years has hit.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Barry has already had problems with access to the site,
0:07:13 > 0:07:17now he has to work out how to get six 47-tonne trucks
0:07:17 > 0:07:20carrying hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth of house
0:07:20 > 0:07:23onto a waterlogged site that's been battered by a hurricane.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29North of the border, in the West End of Glasgow,
0:07:29 > 0:07:33patent attorney Andrew Shanks wanted more space for his family
0:07:33 > 0:07:35and an artist's studio for his wife...
0:07:35 > 0:07:38and he didn't have to look far for a solution.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42Andrew managed to buy this run-down mews house at the end of his garden -
0:07:42 > 0:07:45the perfect property to fulfil his desire for more space.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50I think just because of the location that initially attracted us,
0:07:50 > 0:07:52and then we went and had a look around
0:07:52 > 0:07:54and realised it was quite a beautiful property.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57We got upstairs and it's quite light
0:07:57 > 0:07:59and it looked like there had been a cathedral ceiling
0:07:59 > 0:08:02so we thought there was a possibility there to open up
0:08:02 > 0:08:07back to original layout and it would make quite a spectacular space.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11And the hidden cathedral ceiling wasn't Andrew's only surprise.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Before we bought it, we did some research to see if it was listed
0:08:14 > 0:08:19and, according to everything we looked at, there was no listing.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23It was only once we went for planning permission that we
0:08:23 > 0:08:25discovered that it was "A" listed.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Andrew's mews house has earned its "A" listing
0:08:28 > 0:08:31because of its proximity to one of Glasgow's greatest
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Victorian buildings, the stunning Great Westbourne Terrace,
0:08:34 > 0:08:38designed by architect Alexander "Greek" Thomson.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40For Andrew, it means that what he thought would be a simple
0:08:40 > 0:08:43conversion when he bought the mews has taken him 22 months
0:08:43 > 0:08:47and one set of rejected plans to get to the point of starting the work.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52A planning application went off to Historic Scotland
0:08:52 > 0:08:58and various people, and they intervened and they initially
0:08:58 > 0:09:01seemed to think there was all sorts of interesting architectural
0:09:01 > 0:09:06features in the inside, when in fact it I don't think there were any.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Historic Scotland is the agency in charge of safeguarding
0:09:09 > 0:09:12the nation's historic environment.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Andrew has employed Gerry Hogan.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Hi there, Sean, it's Gerry.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Gerry specialises in conservation architecture
0:09:18 > 0:09:22and will redesign Andrew's old coach house for modern-day use.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24The building behind it is a large,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28very, very high-profile tenement by Alexander "Greek" Thomson. It's a mews building.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30This is the front of the building
0:09:30 > 0:09:32and technically this is where the access lane would be,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35where horses would have come in on the ground floor so,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37in some ways, what we consider the rear elevation
0:09:37 > 0:09:39becomes the front elevation.
0:09:39 > 0:09:40That's what the wealthy people
0:09:40 > 0:09:42who commissioned the building would have seen.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45So there's more detail, there's more craft actually on the rear.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48It is a very beautiful building but it is also a very special context.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50We have this Greek Thomson building behind,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53We've got some really beautiful courtyards round about.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57It's a really important part of Glasgow's West End so, from my point of view,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00it's a privilege to be able to work with a building like this.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03What Andrew and his family want from the building is quite something.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05There's a number of things
0:10:05 > 0:10:08about the project that are particularly exciting and special.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09There is the restoration
0:10:09 > 0:10:12externally - we're re-pointing, we're lifting the quality
0:10:12 > 0:10:14and we're making sure it lasts, there is the alteration
0:10:14 > 0:10:18of the roof upstairs because we're turning what was essentially
0:10:18 > 0:10:20three rather poky little rooms
0:10:20 > 0:10:23into one really quite grand and elegant space,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26and then we've also got this new extension at the side, this
0:10:26 > 0:10:29conservatory that's quite an elegant combination of steel and glass
0:10:29 > 0:10:34and is clearly new but it's also respectful in terms of the scale.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35With Gerry's help,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Andrew finally has permission for his mews conversion.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Downstairs, he's creating a garage and workshop.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Upstairs he'll remove the walls between the three rooms to create
0:10:44 > 0:10:46a light, bright studio space.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50The one thing that's still waiting for approval is the opening up
0:10:50 > 0:10:54of the roof to create a double-height cathedral ceiling.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57The team were hoping to get the project completed in three months
0:10:57 > 0:11:00but work on the ceiling has slowed down the build significantly
0:11:00 > 0:11:03whilst they wait for the engineer's plans to be approved.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05As well as a specialist architect,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Andrew has also hired site manager Stuart Mortimer,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11who is used to working on projects like this,
0:11:11 > 0:11:13and the delays are starting to worry him.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14Sometimes it is frustrating
0:11:14 > 0:11:17when you're waiting on a drawing from the likes of an engineer or
0:11:17 > 0:11:19an architect to confirm something on site,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22but as long as we've got other work to keep us going,
0:11:22 > 0:11:26then we're quite happy with that but we do get
0:11:26 > 0:11:29a wee bit anxious at times when we see ourselves running out of work.
0:11:29 > 0:11:30After almost a month of waiting,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33the engineer's drawings for the ceiling are approved.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36It's going to be a big and risky job for Stuart and his men.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Once the horizontal beams that are holding the A-frame together are
0:11:38 > 0:11:42removed, the whole structural support for the ceiling will have gone.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47There's quite a bit of work in this one because we've got to try
0:11:47 > 0:11:50and support a lot here at this point.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53These are intermediate trusses...rafters
0:11:53 > 0:11:57and we have got to double these up with one new rafter on each one of them,
0:11:57 > 0:12:01at the side of each one of them.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03But just doubling up the rafters won't be enough to stop
0:12:03 > 0:12:06the heavy roof from caving in on itself.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10When we take away these horizontal and vertical members,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12then there's a structural problem with the roof.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15It essentially wants to collapse out the way, like that.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Architect Gerry has come up with a solution that he hopes will
0:12:18 > 0:12:23allow Stuart and his men to remove the old horizontal ceiling joists.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25We are going to hang a beam.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27That beam will span the full length of the roof.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30It's going to be hung rather than sitting on top.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33The new steel ridge beam will hang in the centre of the ceiling,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36taking the full weight of the roof.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38The beam is further supported by three super-rafters
0:12:38 > 0:12:40made from tripled-up timber.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44It's a clever but risky plan. If Gerry and the engineer have
0:12:44 > 0:12:48got their calculations wrong, the whole roof could come down.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56At the factory in Germany,
0:12:56 > 0:13:01Marcus Grazziano's timber-framed four-bedroom house is almost complete.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05But back in Britain, the worst storm of the winter has hit the Southwest
0:13:05 > 0:13:10and the already waterlogged site in Dorset has been badly affected.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Severe gales have destroyed huge sections of scaffolding.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16The tricky access roads to the site have already caused serious issues.
0:13:16 > 0:13:22Head builder Barry has previously poured eight lorry-loads of cement to shore them up
0:13:22 > 0:13:25but the storms have churned them up again and Barry is worried.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28We have all these lorries most probably in the next two days
0:13:28 > 0:13:32over in Germany being loaded and then they're coming over.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36What happens if we can't actually get them on site?
0:13:36 > 0:13:40We then have to find an alternative.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Bill Treves from the factory in Germany is equally
0:13:45 > 0:13:47concerned about how to get Marcus's house on site.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49He has arrived for an inspection
0:13:49 > 0:13:53and he's brought an articulated lorry along for a trial run.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57It's the most challenging access but then we always knew that.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00In an ideal world, we wouldn't be doing it at this time of year,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02and not in the wettest winter for 250 years,
0:14:02 > 0:14:06but unfortunately that's the way it is.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Barry has strengthened sections
0:14:08 > 0:14:12of this waterlogged, muddy narrow track but with such big, heavy lorries,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15they don't know whether it will be enough.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Thankfully, his efforts have paid off and this empty lorry
0:14:17 > 0:14:19does get up the drive,
0:14:19 > 0:14:23but a lorry with a house on its trailer is quite another matter.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35If I took that fence out over that concrete.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- We'll take that out.- Yeah, we can do that on the day.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Cool, right, let's try the next bit.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42This is the bit which I've been waiting for.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46To get all the timber materials for Marcus's house on site,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50six trucks need to get up and down this drive.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51This will be interesting.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55And reversing a 13m-long trailer in a tight space isn't easy.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59It's not just important, it's vital
0:14:59 > 0:15:01because you can't afford to discover this
0:15:01 > 0:15:03when you've got a 44-tonne load on.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09If you get stuck, then you really are in trouble.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12Let's not panic.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Do I look like I'm panicking?! I don't panic.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Don't panic, Mr Mainwaring!
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Getting Marcus's house safely up this drive is a major challenge.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23This trial run has shown them exactly what would happen
0:15:23 > 0:15:26if the house had been on board today.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29That is the artic turning tight coming round here
0:15:29 > 0:15:31and its wheel's there.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Now if that was a full load, that would slip.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36The stuff on board is worth tens of thousands of pounds
0:15:36 > 0:15:40and if that falls over, you've had it.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44Barry needs to consider more radical measures to make the road wider.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45What are you walking on?
0:15:47 > 0:15:50He's putting down yet more cement, concreting part of a field
0:15:50 > 0:15:52and cutting back undergrowth to make sure
0:15:52 > 0:15:56the roads are ready for the arrival of the house in just ten days' time.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Ten days later and the first truck laden with the kit
0:16:04 > 0:16:08for the dream home has arrived in the UK and is making its approach.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15On site, builder Barry is waiting to see
0:16:15 > 0:16:19if he's made the road wide enough to get the heavily laden lorries in.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Almost had a bit of a problem there because they're doing road works
0:16:22 > 0:16:23but luckily they let us go through.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36He's done it. All Barry's efforts have paid off.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39The first truck containing the walls for the ground floor makes it
0:16:39 > 0:16:41round the tricky corner.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43It's a big relief for the team.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- It's happy days. - It worked perfectly.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- It's about time it worked perfectly, after all the effort that has gone into it.- It worked.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53The first one is in, so if the first one is in, that's it.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57You can see I'm a lot happier, I tell you. A lot happier!
0:16:57 > 0:17:00They've overcome the latest hurdle.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Next they have to build the house and,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05if it all goes to plan, that will take just five days.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10In Glasgow's West End,
0:17:10 > 0:17:14work is well under way to restore this "A"-listed mews property
0:17:14 > 0:17:16to its former glory.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18A conservation project like this requires someone with
0:17:18 > 0:17:20a special set of skills.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Architect Gerry Hogan was the obvious man for the job.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26He has dedicated most of his career to restoring buildings
0:17:26 > 0:17:29and today he's hopping across to the Isle of Bute to revisit
0:17:29 > 0:17:32a project that he's especially proud of.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35I think I've always had a latent interest in what's existing -
0:17:35 > 0:17:37the built environment that was there - and I suppose that's
0:17:37 > 0:17:40led into an interest in conservation architecture.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43But the interest really sort of started
0:17:43 > 0:17:45with the Old Courthouse project in Rothesay that I started
0:17:45 > 0:17:49working on when I was about 21, which was over ten years ago now.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53That was the project that showed me the complexity
0:17:53 > 0:17:58and the different challenges that working with existing buildings has.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01This beautifully restored "B"-listed courthouse
0:18:01 > 0:18:03is in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Previously dilapidated,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09the iconic building is in the centre of town and has been
0:18:09 > 0:18:12transformed into social housing at a cost of £4.5 million.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Combining conservation with modern living was a huge challenge
0:18:15 > 0:18:20for Gerry and his team and one that took them over a decade to overcome.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22This was the original entrance for both the Sheriff Court
0:18:22 > 0:18:24and the Council Chamber.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28This is our spiral stair, which is quite ornate,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30and the balustrade and the handrail, and then
0:18:30 > 0:18:33when you get a chance to look all the way up you can see the stained
0:18:33 > 0:18:37glass window at the top which in itself is quite a beautiful object.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41As an architect, you're always quite keen to do new things
0:18:41 > 0:18:43but I think sometimes you need to step back and say
0:18:43 > 0:18:46"Actually, what's really important about this building?"
0:18:46 > 0:18:48This space here is what's really important
0:18:48 > 0:18:51because the stained glass window in particular is a beautiful object.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54I mean, just put aside any historical relevance or significance,
0:18:54 > 0:18:56it just is a really stunning thing.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01It's only when you reach the top of this imposing building that
0:19:01 > 0:19:04you discover the carefully designed additions that
0:19:04 > 0:19:06weave the old in with the new.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09This is the... I suppose the key architectural move for the building.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11It's almost like a diagram.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13You can see over there, that area was the former Sheriff Court
0:19:13 > 0:19:16and it has been left primarily intact, albeit improved internally.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19And then round where we're standing just now,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22this whole side of the building has been reconstructed
0:19:22 > 0:19:25essentially round about a new steel frame.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27What we can't see is that the existing facade on the other side
0:19:27 > 0:19:29has been retained as well.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Our approach here was essentially to be quite sympathetic in terms
0:19:32 > 0:19:35of the tone and the colouring of the materials,
0:19:35 > 0:19:38so you can see the existing slate roof here, you can sort of
0:19:38 > 0:19:42see obviously that comes through and the choice of brick and then choice
0:19:42 > 0:19:45of this anthra-zinc, this dark, dark grey zinc.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48I'm quite comfortable with what we've done because we've held on
0:19:48 > 0:19:50to the existing elevation that dates back
0:19:50 > 0:19:55to the mid-19th century - that was the key thing that people identified
0:19:55 > 0:19:58as giving the building identity and character for the centre of the town,
0:19:58 > 0:20:02so we've done that while also installing something new behind it.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05With this ten-year project under his belt, Gerry consolidated
0:20:05 > 0:20:10his standing as a specialist in conservation architecture.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12It made him the perfect person to work on the restoration of
0:20:12 > 0:20:16Andrew Shanks' 100-year-old listed mews house in Glasgow's West End.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21Stuart is on his way down.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24After weeks of waiting, the design plans for Andrew's vaulted
0:20:24 > 0:20:27ceiling have finally been approved and today the metal beams
0:20:27 > 0:20:31that will secure the roof structure have arrived.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Site manager Stuart's been itching to get started with the roof.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39But before any of the technicalities of securing it are tackled,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42his first big challenge is trying to manoeuvre this five-metre-long steel
0:20:42 > 0:20:45through this tiny window frame.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53The heaviest beam weighs in at 95kg
0:20:53 > 0:20:56and requires careful handling to avoid damaging the building.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59Easy now.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02With all hands on deck, the team manage this difficult
0:21:02 > 0:21:04manoeuvre in an awkward space.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06That's it. Back to me now.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Easy! OK.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14Now they're safely in, there is important structural work to be done
0:21:14 > 0:21:15to secure the roof trusses
0:21:15 > 0:21:18before the steel beams are locked into their final positions.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Before we actually fix this steel itself,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24what we're going to do is set up some timbers and fix them
0:21:24 > 0:21:26to our rafter so the steel can sit on top of it.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28That allows us, you know, the weight is off of us.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33We can set up our brackets and then just ease up the steel as and when we need to.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37Once they're in place, they'll be held by steel brackets.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41What this is, this is a bracket that will carry the stainless steel rod.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45It will pull the major trusses together and hold the roof up.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Up, up. Back to Danny.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48Right there.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53It's a tricky technical exercise
0:21:53 > 0:21:56so will all their efforts have paid off?
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Well, that's the steel beams in now, the rigid steel beams in just now.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03It's awkward but as long as you get a wee plan, it will all come together.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05It will all come together.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07After months of poring over every detail of the design plans,
0:22:07 > 0:22:11architect Gerry has come to site to inspect the new roof structure.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Wow, that's amazing.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18It's a triumph in engineering.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21That's a pretty incredible difference, isn't it?
0:22:21 > 0:22:22Aye, it's looking good.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25I'm really happy to see the way the volume has changed.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27I mean, if you can imagine this was three separate rooms
0:22:27 > 0:22:32and a corridor previously and the ceiling was at about this height.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Um, yeah, the shift is amazing. It's quite impressive.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Confident that the roof structure is now safe,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42Gerry turns his attention to another potentially serious problem.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47- Wow.- On the outside, the original stonework is crumbling away.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51There's about 40 mil of the stone that's just completely worn away.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Having suffered from bad patch-ups in the past,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57how the stone is cared for now is critical to its conservation.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Gerry summons stonemason Joe
0:23:04 > 0:23:06to site to discuss the scale of the work.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08How are you doing? Are you the architect?
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- Yes. How are you doing? - I'm good, thank you.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11Will I join you up there?
0:23:11 > 0:23:15The deteriorating stone could throw up unexpected costs.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19When you're looking at the front, it looks like a bad cementing and pointing there.
0:23:19 > 0:23:20That's what I was thinking.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24The front is more where I would concentrate the best of our efforts.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25But restoring the stonework
0:23:25 > 0:23:29back to its former glory is going to cost the best part of £20,000.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32You want to build it all out with lithomex, obviously.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- Lithomex isn't the cheapest. - Yeah.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Luckily for Gerry, his client Andrew trusts him completely.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43I think balancing conservation with efficiency is...
0:23:43 > 0:23:48Again it is Gerry's expertise that... He has taken care of that.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52You know, if it had been left to me it would have been a quick patch-up.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55But, with Gerry, the first time we took him
0:23:55 > 0:23:58round to the property he came in with a little trowel and I was a bit
0:23:58 > 0:24:02dismayed because he just he picked out cement and all sorts of things.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06He said, "That's no good, that has to come off, that has to be changed."
0:24:06 > 0:24:10And it was initially a bit of a shock but once you've spent
0:24:10 > 0:24:11a little bit of time with Gerry,
0:24:11 > 0:24:13you walk around the streets of Glasgow
0:24:13 > 0:24:17and you look up at the buildings and say, "God, that's a terrible repair.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19"They're going to pay for that in the future,"
0:24:19 > 0:24:24because I think it has to be done properly and sensitively and Gerry
0:24:24 > 0:24:27absolutely knows what he's doing so I think once we have a great-looking
0:24:27 > 0:24:30building that will stay a great-looking building
0:24:30 > 0:24:31for many years.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41And today, after one failed planning application
0:24:41 > 0:24:45and over half a year of careful and meticulous building and restoration,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Andrew and his family are close to having the space they dreamed of.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Gerry is back to take a look.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56What was a neglected mews building has been given a new lease of life.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02By sticking to the architect's design
0:25:02 > 0:25:05and marrying conservation with a contemporary style, they haven't
0:25:05 > 0:25:09just breathed new life into a dilapidated building but created
0:25:09 > 0:25:13a flexible, modern studio that can be used by the whole family.
0:25:13 > 0:25:14The old upstairs, once cramped
0:25:14 > 0:25:18and dark, has been opened up into one large, bright studio space.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Thanks to the new steelwork,
0:25:21 > 0:25:23the full ceiling height has also been achieved and is
0:25:23 > 0:25:28complimented by expert finishes to both the windows and floor.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32- They have finished the floor. - They have finished the floor.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35It's the first time Andrew has seen the room for four weeks.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37It's looking good.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39I think it works.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41I think so. It's fabulous.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45How do you feel about the roof? It is what you thought it would be?
0:25:45 > 0:25:47- It's much brighter. - It is much brighter.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50And also, I mean, just replacing some of the glazing at the front...
0:25:50 > 0:25:53and cleaning all the windows...
0:25:53 > 0:25:55I mean, you can see through the windows there,
0:25:55 > 0:25:59round about the stair, we've got north and south light coming in
0:25:59 > 0:26:01so it's always going to be fairly bright.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03The first floor conservatory is close to completion
0:26:03 > 0:26:06and in just a few weeks, the downstairs will follow
0:26:06 > 0:26:08and provide Andrew with a workshop space.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14The outside of this 100-year-old coach house has been reinvigorated.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Andrew has spent a total of £40,000 repairing the roof
0:26:17 > 0:26:21and the crumbling stonework, but the results speak for themselves.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24I remember when you came with a tiny little trowel
0:26:24 > 0:26:26and proceeded to pick all of it.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30I just decided to pick your wall apart, yes!
0:26:30 > 0:26:33I thought, when we'd bought it, it was in pretty good condition
0:26:33 > 0:26:36but then you came in and you picked it apart.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39The closer you look, the worse you always realise something is!
0:26:39 > 0:26:41I know! I thought, "Oh, no, what have we done?!"
0:26:41 > 0:26:44It was symptomatic of a conservation project, generally,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46when you're working with an existing building.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49It is tempting to think, "Well, the building is there, it should be quicker,"
0:26:49 > 0:26:51but in some ways it's actually more involved.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53I always find you need to...
0:26:53 > 0:26:55I suppose you really need to understand
0:26:55 > 0:26:58the materials that you're working with and take great care about which
0:26:58 > 0:27:01ones you retain, when you repair and where you replace, because I think
0:27:01 > 0:27:05the priority should always be to hold on to as much as possible.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Allowing Gerry to guide them through the restoration of their old
0:27:08 > 0:27:11coach house, the Shanks family have not only created a dream
0:27:11 > 0:27:14space for themselves to enjoy but also made sure that this
0:27:14 > 0:27:19beautiful, historic building will be around for at least another century.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Well, Gerry, I think, certainly has an eye for detail
0:27:23 > 0:27:26and this idea of leaving things
0:27:26 > 0:27:28so you can actually see the history of the building...
0:27:30 > 0:27:34It is one that initially seemed a bit strange to me
0:27:34 > 0:27:36but now I'm on board with that.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39One of the main points that I'm really
0:27:39 > 0:27:42pleased about is my contribution that the building will be
0:27:42 > 0:27:45in a really robust, really good condition for the next 50-60 years.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48I think leaving a building or place in a better condition than
0:27:48 > 0:27:51what you found it in sounds like a small ambition
0:27:51 > 0:27:53but actually it's not, because there are
0:27:53 > 0:27:56so many mistakes made over so many projects in so many places
0:27:56 > 0:27:59that to actually be able to come in and know that you're doing the right
0:27:59 > 0:28:03thing, and know that you're helping the situation, is really valuable.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Next time on Building Dream Homes -
0:28:10 > 0:28:12in Dorset, it's a race against the clock
0:28:12 > 0:28:15to put the factory-built kit house together.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18If you can see me smiling, I'm happy.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20That doesn't happen very often.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23And in Edinburgh, a gaping hole puts architect David Blaikie's
0:28:23 > 0:28:26state-of-the-art mechanical step in serious danger.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29The knock-on effect is that if we can't get that steel in today,
0:28:29 > 0:28:32the lift ain't getting installed on Monday.