Brutalist Tower Block - Bethnal Green

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0:00:03 > 0:00:07In Britain we have an amazing array of places we call home...

0:00:07 > 0:00:09from thatched cottages and conversions...

0:00:09 > 0:00:12to terraced housing and tower blocks.

0:00:12 > 0:00:14But when it comes to interior design,

0:00:14 > 0:00:17we don't always make the best of the rooms we live in.

0:00:17 > 0:00:19So we asked 24 amateur designers

0:00:19 > 0:00:22to show us how it should be done.

0:00:22 > 0:00:25Let's try it.

0:00:25 > 0:00:28We've got 15 minutes and I'm still painting.

0:00:28 > 0:00:31I hope they'll like it. I think they will like it.

0:00:31 > 0:00:34We've travelled across the country and through the ages,

0:00:34 > 0:00:38to Victorian avenues, Art Deco cul-de-sacs

0:00:38 > 0:00:40and Regency squares.

0:00:40 > 0:00:43Each time the would-be designers took on similar rooms

0:00:43 > 0:00:45in neighbouring homes.

0:00:45 > 0:00:47And, after eight heats,

0:00:47 > 0:00:50we've picked the best to go through to the quarterfinals.

0:00:50 > 0:00:53Judging them are designer and president-elect

0:00:53 > 0:00:57of the British Institute of Interior Design, Daniel Hopwood...

0:00:57 > 0:00:59Our quarterfinalists need to show

0:00:59 > 0:01:02that they've got an extensive repertoire

0:01:02 > 0:01:03and not just have one look.

0:01:03 > 0:01:07..and interior stylist and magazine journalist Sophie Robinson.

0:01:07 > 0:01:09The designers have already had one shot at this

0:01:09 > 0:01:12so we'll be looking at a marked improvement.

0:01:12 > 0:01:14It's the second quarterfinal,

0:01:14 > 0:01:17and four more designers will be battling it out

0:01:17 > 0:01:20to win places in the next stage of the competition.

0:01:27 > 0:01:31This time our designers will be redesigning one bedroom each

0:01:31 > 0:01:33in four apartments in this 1950s tower block.

0:01:35 > 0:01:40Returning triumphant from their heats are four previous winners...

0:01:40 > 0:01:42Kimberly.

0:01:42 > 0:01:44Luke.

0:01:44 > 0:01:46Neil.

0:01:46 > 0:01:48Susan.

0:01:48 > 0:01:50They've worked with a client already, but this time

0:01:50 > 0:01:53our designers will be tested to the limit...

0:01:53 > 0:01:57My heart rate is accelerating.

0:01:57 > 0:02:01..as they attempt to transform four similar-sized bedrooms.

0:02:01 > 0:02:04I'm finding the creativity level extremely high.

0:02:04 > 0:02:08The judges' expectations are greater than ever...

0:02:08 > 0:02:11Has she not learnt anything from her first project?

0:02:11 > 0:02:12I'm seriously concerned.

0:02:12 > 0:02:15..as only two can go through to the semifinal.

0:02:15 > 0:02:18You're all talented but it's got a whole lot tougher.

0:02:27 > 0:02:31This is Keeling House in Bethnal Green, East London,

0:02:31 > 0:02:34a 15-storey concrete tower block by architect Denys Lasdun,

0:02:34 > 0:02:37who also built the National Theatre on London's South Bank.

0:02:39 > 0:02:43It's one of the more successful social experiments from the 1950s,

0:02:43 > 0:02:45when architects were given the creative freedom

0:02:45 > 0:02:49to design urban utopias to house the tens of thousands left homeless

0:02:49 > 0:02:51after the Second World War.

0:02:53 > 0:02:57It was built between 1957 and 1959 on a bomb site to replace

0:02:57 > 0:03:00the Victorian slums and workers' cottages like these

0:03:00 > 0:03:03that were destroyed in the Blitz.

0:03:06 > 0:03:10It's in this rather brutal building that four of our heat winners

0:03:10 > 0:03:13will be battling for a place in the semifinals.

0:03:14 > 0:03:18In her heat, Susan transformed a Victorian double reception room

0:03:18 > 0:03:22with a colourful, shabby chic design.

0:03:22 > 0:03:24I'm excited about the contest.

0:03:24 > 0:03:28I feel as though it's part of my day job now and that's it.

0:03:28 > 0:03:31I think I prefer this as a day job than doing all the washing

0:03:31 > 0:03:34and the ironing and the cooking and cleaning.

0:03:36 > 0:03:38Neil won through with his Tour de France theme

0:03:38 > 0:03:41in a London almshouse.

0:03:42 > 0:03:44It was good to win the first one,

0:03:44 > 0:03:48because it gave me some validation.

0:03:48 > 0:03:51I have some skill in doing this, or at least I did in that one.

0:03:54 > 0:03:56Kimberly's contemporary twist

0:03:56 > 0:03:59on a 1960s span house kitchen won her heat.

0:04:01 > 0:04:04I'd be gutted to be knocked out.

0:04:04 > 0:04:07I had a taste of winning and I just want to keep going.

0:04:09 > 0:04:12And Luke secured his place in the quarterfinals

0:04:12 > 0:04:16by giving a warehouse conversion a modern African scheme.

0:04:16 > 0:04:19The pressure's getting higher, the competition's getting harder.

0:04:19 > 0:04:20So bring it on.

0:04:24 > 0:04:29The first home was a fabulous penthouse apartment owned by Mani.

0:04:29 > 0:04:33Perched on the 14th floor, it has arresting views across London.

0:04:33 > 0:04:37But the strikingly small bedroom is far from captivating.

0:04:37 > 0:04:39In my bedroom, I'd like a bit more space.

0:04:39 > 0:04:42As you can see, the furniture is quite big in here.

0:04:42 > 0:04:44We've got a large wardrobe.

0:04:44 > 0:04:48I do like minimalism rather than cluttering up the room.

0:04:48 > 0:04:51Any new design, I'd like to see something a bit quirky,

0:04:51 > 0:04:56a bit retro, and something that would make me want to spend

0:04:56 > 0:04:58more time in my bedroom, I suppose.

0:05:01 > 0:05:04Bedrooms this small present particular design challenges,

0:05:04 > 0:05:07so judges Sophie and Daniel want to assess the room

0:05:07 > 0:05:10before our amateurs get started.

0:05:10 > 0:05:11Whoa.

0:05:11 > 0:05:13What a view.

0:05:13 > 0:05:15That is awesome.

0:05:15 > 0:05:17Makes it a very special bedroom.

0:05:17 > 0:05:21- But it's certainly a blank canvas, isn't it?- Yes.

0:05:21 > 0:05:23I know Mani would quite like to get rid of this.

0:05:23 > 0:05:26- It feels far too big for this space, doesn't it?- Yeah, it doesn't work.

0:05:26 > 0:05:29But, in fact, some of the original storage is ingenious.

0:05:29 > 0:05:32I bet you actually can't even spot where it is.

0:05:32 > 0:05:36Hidden underneath the sill here are sets of drawers

0:05:36 > 0:05:39that go underneath the window and out to the parapet below.

0:05:39 > 0:05:41So you've got all this.

0:05:41 > 0:05:44That's really thinking in the detail, isn't it?

0:05:44 > 0:05:46This room, it's all about the view.

0:05:46 > 0:05:49I think when you are designing, especially quite small rooms,

0:05:49 > 0:05:52you've got to really look around the room and pull out its best feature.

0:05:52 > 0:05:55So I hope they can either use what's out there as their inspiration

0:05:55 > 0:05:57or at least keep that as the hero in the room.

0:06:00 > 0:06:03Taking on the challenge of Mani's micro-sized bedroom

0:06:03 > 0:06:07is 42-year-old father of two Neil, from Brighton.

0:06:09 > 0:06:12In his first heat, he showed he had instinctive design skills

0:06:12 > 0:06:16as he created ingenious products for the room as he went along.

0:06:16 > 0:06:19But his lack of planning worried the judges.

0:06:19 > 0:06:22- Hi, Mani, nice to meet you. - Hi, Neil.

0:06:22 > 0:06:25They'll now be watching to see if Neil's organisational skills

0:06:25 > 0:06:28have improved in his first meeting with Mani.

0:06:28 > 0:06:32So I'm thinking sort of different tones of greys, black and white.

0:06:32 > 0:06:37I wanted to try and make a bit of an industrial feel,

0:06:37 > 0:06:41maybe with some sort of wire work-looking...

0:06:41 > 0:06:43I don't really know how I'm going to do that yet.

0:06:43 > 0:06:46But I thought I'd make some bedside light,

0:06:46 > 0:06:49- sort of like on a little pulley system.- Yeah.

0:06:49 > 0:06:53Although I haven't sourced the pulley system yet, so it might be a hook.

0:06:53 > 0:06:55I think the wardrobe you've got in there currently,

0:06:55 > 0:06:59I'm sure it's really, really handy, cos you can get tonnes in it.

0:06:59 > 0:07:02But it's sort of quite monolithic in the room.

0:07:02 > 0:07:05- It's a behemoth.- Yeah!

0:07:05 > 0:07:07Neil's plans are typically fluid,

0:07:07 > 0:07:10but his vision for a modern monochrome scheme

0:07:10 > 0:07:13includes grey walls and a new wardrobe

0:07:13 > 0:07:16that will make more effective use of the space.

0:07:16 > 0:07:20I had another really good idea that I forgot to tell you about!

0:07:20 > 0:07:23I want to make a really oversized letter.

0:07:23 > 0:07:25- I thought it could be the letter M. - Yeah.

0:07:25 > 0:07:28Maybe I can run at by you as we go along.

0:07:28 > 0:07:31I think so. From the actual drawing, it actually looks quite good.

0:07:31 > 0:07:34I don't know how, for real, you know.

0:07:34 > 0:07:37You could just give me the thumbs up or the thumbs down from the doorway.

0:07:37 > 0:07:42I do feel that Neil has a certain style of doing a presentation,

0:07:42 > 0:07:45and I find it very endearing.

0:07:45 > 0:07:47The way he presents is actually the true style of a creative.

0:07:47 > 0:07:51I just find it fascinating that he appears to have learned nothing

0:07:51 > 0:07:54from the first round and he's just going to approach this whole project

0:07:54 > 0:07:55in exactly the same way.

0:07:55 > 0:07:58"Oh, I'll make it up as I go along, pop your head round,

0:07:58 > 0:08:00"let me know what do you think and I can change it," and,

0:08:00 > 0:08:03"I've got a bit of shopping to do, I haven't picked anything yet."

0:08:03 > 0:08:04So good luck, Neil.

0:08:06 > 0:08:10The idea is it's going to be a grey box, effectively,

0:08:10 > 0:08:12so just going to paint it all grey.

0:08:15 > 0:08:18For me, part of the process is trying things,

0:08:18 > 0:08:22trying to make bits and pieces.

0:08:22 > 0:08:25If they are crap then you just don't use them.

0:08:25 > 0:08:28So it's sort of, I don't really know what I'm doing

0:08:28 > 0:08:30as much as he's not sure what I'm doing.

0:08:32 > 0:08:37Like all four designers, Neil now has 48 hours spread over three days,

0:08:37 > 0:08:40£1,000, and the help of a builder

0:08:40 > 0:08:43to turn his vision into reality.

0:08:43 > 0:08:45I just want to crack on.

0:08:45 > 0:08:51I did do loads of stuff last time and probably struggled to finish in time

0:08:51 > 0:08:54but I feel like the time is going to be OK.

0:08:54 > 0:08:57Shall we try and lift? Oh.

0:08:57 > 0:09:00CLATTERING

0:09:00 > 0:09:02That's one way of doing it.

0:09:06 > 0:09:08Unlike the penthouse apartment,

0:09:08 > 0:09:13the bedrooms on the lower floors of Keeling House are slightly larger.

0:09:13 > 0:09:16Our second room belongs to graphic designer Sara.

0:09:16 > 0:09:19I think what attracts me to the brutalist style of this building

0:09:19 > 0:09:22is the fact that I like industrial textures.

0:09:22 > 0:09:25In the redesign of my bedroom, I'd probably like to see

0:09:25 > 0:09:27a lot of white or light grey walls.

0:09:27 > 0:09:30I'd like some industrial lighting.

0:09:30 > 0:09:33Nothing too busy, it has to be very much a blank canvas.

0:09:37 > 0:09:40It's a simple little room.

0:09:40 > 0:09:42Isn't it just? But it works.

0:09:42 > 0:09:45It's the perfect size for a bedroom.

0:09:45 > 0:09:47Just the right size around the edges.

0:09:47 > 0:09:49Enough space to get some storage in.

0:09:49 > 0:09:52There was a report at that time, in the late '50s, early '60s,

0:09:52 > 0:09:54called the Parker Morris Report,

0:09:54 > 0:09:58and they were very eager to get rooms the right size for living in

0:09:58 > 0:10:00and they would measure furniture.

0:10:00 > 0:10:03And they analysed the circulation around a home

0:10:03 > 0:10:05to make sure that the spaces worked,

0:10:05 > 0:10:08cos they wanted to get it right compared to the sort of

0:10:08 > 0:10:11back-to-back housing that you had in this area.

0:10:11 > 0:10:14And I know she wants a very raw, natural, rustic,

0:10:14 > 0:10:16almost loft warehouse look,

0:10:16 > 0:10:18which is a lovely brief, I think.

0:10:21 > 0:10:23Redesigning Sara's bedroom

0:10:23 > 0:10:26is 33-year-old sales assistant Luke from Oxford.

0:10:27 > 0:10:31In his heat, he impressed with some self-designed furniture

0:10:31 > 0:10:33and subtle African touches.

0:10:33 > 0:10:36Now, the judges want to see if Luke can push his use of colour

0:10:36 > 0:10:39to make more of an impact within a scheme.

0:10:39 > 0:10:40As we can see here,

0:10:40 > 0:10:43- you're a big fan of the greys and textures, too.- Yeah.

0:10:43 > 0:10:47So that was something I had taken from the brief that you wanted.

0:10:47 > 0:10:49These are the kind of colours that I'm referencing.

0:10:49 > 0:10:53This colour here is to give you an idea for the bed, the furnishing.

0:10:53 > 0:10:58- And then, don't panic, you're not going to get accent walls!- OK.- OK?

0:10:58 > 0:11:01But this is the kind of colours that I'm trying to bring in

0:11:01 > 0:11:04- to the room.- Mm. Where do you see them being in the room?- OK,

0:11:04 > 0:11:06- so it's just only going to be tiny details.- Fab.

0:11:06 > 0:11:08But it's something to lift the room.

0:11:08 > 0:11:10- Yeah, you've reassured me.- Oh, yeah?

0:11:10 > 0:11:12OK, brilliant. And then I've got an idea

0:11:12 > 0:11:15- for some hanging pendant lamps. - Perfect.

0:11:15 > 0:11:19Luke's industrial warehouse scheme uses splashes of pink and orange

0:11:19 > 0:11:22to bring warmth to industrial details,

0:11:22 > 0:11:26such as exposed cabling, bare bulbs, copper and concrete.

0:11:26 > 0:11:28- As long as you're happy with that... - Yeah.

0:11:28 > 0:11:30- ..we're going to get on with it. - Crack on.- Cool.

0:11:30 > 0:11:33I can't work out if Luke is shy

0:11:33 > 0:11:35or if he's secretive.

0:11:35 > 0:11:37Because he was letting go quite a lot

0:11:37 > 0:11:39about the textures and the colours,

0:11:39 > 0:11:43but I wasn't picking up on how he's going to do the layout of that room.

0:11:43 > 0:11:46But maybe it's a clever strategy

0:11:46 > 0:11:48cos she is a very good designer herself

0:11:48 > 0:11:50and she knows what she likes.

0:11:50 > 0:11:52So actually, by not giving her too much detail,

0:11:52 > 0:11:55is that like keeping her out a bit and allowing him to get on with it?

0:11:56 > 0:11:58LUKE HUMS

0:12:00 > 0:12:03HE SIGHS

0:12:03 > 0:12:07In his heat, Luke fell foul to patchy paintwork,

0:12:07 > 0:12:08but he learned his lesson.

0:12:10 > 0:12:13Make sure the lid is on before you do this.

0:12:13 > 0:12:17What I'm doing is thoroughly mixing the paint before use

0:12:17 > 0:12:19cos it has been known not to happen

0:12:19 > 0:12:22and then you'll paint a room, three quarters of a room,

0:12:22 > 0:12:25and then suddenly you get to the bottom of the tin

0:12:25 > 0:12:26and the paint changes colour.

0:12:26 > 0:12:28But you won't really tell that till it's dry

0:12:28 > 0:12:30cos it's always darker when it's wet.

0:12:30 > 0:12:35I'm just double, triple, quadruple checking that the paint is...

0:12:36 > 0:12:37..is as it should be.

0:12:37 > 0:12:40Yeah, a bit pinker than I'd like

0:12:40 > 0:12:42but I'm not panicking yet.

0:12:45 > 0:12:47Our third apartment to be tackled

0:12:47 > 0:12:51is charity worker Chris's first-floor bachelor pad.

0:12:51 > 0:12:54As you can see, it's all kind of done out with flatpack furniture.

0:12:54 > 0:12:57You'll notice I've got shoes all over the floor

0:12:57 > 0:12:59cos there's not really anywhere to store them.

0:12:59 > 0:13:02The carpet has seen a lot, lot better days.

0:13:02 > 0:13:04There's stains around

0:13:04 > 0:13:07from a cat that used to occasionally vomit on it.

0:13:07 > 0:13:08That was lovely.

0:13:08 > 0:13:11Yeah, I guess I'm quite open to new ideas for this room,

0:13:11 > 0:13:15but hopefully they'll be able to bring it to life a bit.

0:13:21 > 0:13:23Simple, pared back.

0:13:23 > 0:13:24Doesn't say much, does it?

0:13:24 > 0:13:26But what I like about these buildings

0:13:26 > 0:13:29is that when they were built they actually addressed storage,

0:13:29 > 0:13:32which actually often in modern buildings today they don't.

0:13:32 > 0:13:34And in fact, what probably would have happened originally

0:13:34 > 0:13:36is secondary wardrobes would have been placed

0:13:36 > 0:13:38where they've slightly lowered the ceiling.

0:13:38 > 0:13:41Well, this room's just a white box, really. Isn't it, Daniel?

0:13:41 > 0:13:43It's just crying out for some design.

0:13:43 > 0:13:46I just think it's an opportunity to do some visual tricks in here

0:13:46 > 0:13:47to help this room feel a bit larger.

0:13:47 > 0:13:49I mean, those short curtains,

0:13:49 > 0:13:51don't they look just a bit mean in a small room?

0:13:51 > 0:13:53And actually by having floor-length curtains,

0:13:53 > 0:13:54you create a vertical line

0:13:54 > 0:13:57which will help the room feel a bit taller and bigger.

0:14:00 > 0:14:03Given the task of making Chris's bedroom

0:14:03 > 0:14:06both practical and presentable is 65-year-old Susan,

0:14:06 > 0:14:09a grandmother and housewife from Maidstone.

0:14:09 > 0:14:14Having already wowed the judges with her use of bright, feminine colours,

0:14:14 > 0:14:18Susan now needs to show versatility to deliver a bachelor bedroom.

0:14:19 > 0:14:22I know you didn't like your Swedish furniture

0:14:22 > 0:14:26but budget really wouldn't permit me to change it.

0:14:26 > 0:14:31So I have upcycled it for you and I hope you like the design for this.

0:14:31 > 0:14:33And I'm sure you'll grow to love it again, once you see it finished!

0:14:33 > 0:14:36- OK?- I like the dashes of colour.

0:14:36 > 0:14:38I don't like lots of bold cover everywhere

0:14:38 > 0:14:39- but this looks really nice.- Yeah.

0:14:39 > 0:14:42Susan's ideas for upcycling the furniture

0:14:42 > 0:14:45deliberately pay homage to the high-rise,

0:14:45 > 0:14:47with blocks of colour.

0:14:47 > 0:14:49She's not only making use of the existing storage

0:14:49 > 0:14:52but she'll also be adding new fitted wardrobes.

0:14:52 > 0:14:55- So all your shoes and clutter can go inside the wardrobes.- Excellent!

0:14:55 > 0:14:57- And your room'll be lovely and clear.- That's great.

0:14:57 > 0:15:00- It actually sounds really dull but I need some more storage.- I know.

0:15:00 > 0:15:02- You're going to loads there, as well. - Yeah.

0:15:02 > 0:15:05These are the colours I would like to use on your walls

0:15:05 > 0:15:07which is a grey but it has a lot of blue in it

0:15:07 > 0:15:09- cos I know that's your favourite colour.- Mm-hm.

0:15:09 > 0:15:13I was absolutely fascinated to see how Susan,

0:15:13 > 0:15:14whose whole love of colour,

0:15:14 > 0:15:17was going to work in this kind of building

0:15:17 > 0:15:19with a single guy who likes grey.

0:15:19 > 0:15:21How was she going to get her head around that?

0:15:21 > 0:15:24But I love it. She's managed to slip the colour in there.

0:15:24 > 0:15:27It's really good to see she's shown us her versatility, there.

0:15:27 > 0:15:29She might not have much bright colour in that room

0:15:29 > 0:15:31but where she's got it, it's going to really pop.

0:15:31 > 0:15:33It's going to look fantastic.

0:15:33 > 0:15:35I'm going to put fitted wardrobes in this alcove.

0:15:35 > 0:15:38I'm going to upcycle both of these chests.

0:15:38 > 0:15:40I suppose we better start clearing the room.

0:15:40 > 0:15:42I think that sounds like a good idea.

0:15:46 > 0:15:48What a lot of shoes he's got.

0:15:51 > 0:15:52I think we need to open a window.

0:15:55 > 0:15:56Yuk!

0:15:58 > 0:16:02The fourth and final apartment belongs to Freddie and Iesha.

0:16:02 > 0:16:04They're longing to turn their bedroom

0:16:04 > 0:16:06into a sleek and functional space

0:16:06 > 0:16:08for themselves and their two children.

0:16:08 > 0:16:09Quick, go and get him!

0:16:09 > 0:16:11Where are you?!

0:16:11 > 0:16:13It's not just a bedroom.

0:16:13 > 0:16:14We do everything in there.

0:16:14 > 0:16:18We change the children, we play with the children,

0:16:18 > 0:16:19we all sleep in there.

0:16:19 > 0:16:21So I'd like it to feel comfortable

0:16:21 > 0:16:23and I'd quite like a bed!

0:16:23 > 0:16:26Cos at the moment we have mattresses on the floor.

0:16:26 > 0:16:29I'd love to see an interior that was much more in keeping

0:16:29 > 0:16:30with the rest of the building.

0:16:30 > 0:16:33Because at the moment, it's sort of a beige box

0:16:33 > 0:16:36and it feels like it could just be in any house, anywhere.

0:16:40 > 0:16:43Mattress on the floor gives it the feeling

0:16:43 > 0:16:45- that somebody's only just moved in.- Mm-hm.

0:16:45 > 0:16:48The room itself is rather pleasant.

0:16:48 > 0:16:52Especially as its got the original Crittall windows

0:16:52 > 0:16:54as, like, the entire building still has them,

0:16:54 > 0:16:56which is quite rare these days.

0:16:56 > 0:16:59And Crittall windows are metal windows, very lightweight,

0:16:59 > 0:17:02and it means that they actually are very thin.

0:17:02 > 0:17:04So there's more glass than frame,

0:17:04 > 0:17:07which means the light can just pour through into the room.

0:17:07 > 0:17:09But our designer has got a task on their hands.

0:17:09 > 0:17:11This is a family bedroom

0:17:11 > 0:17:14with a baby and a toddler all sharing this space.

0:17:14 > 0:17:16So the designer's going to need to think about

0:17:16 > 0:17:18how they're going to incorporate all of the essential kit

0:17:18 > 0:17:20that comes with having babies.

0:17:20 > 0:17:22But also giving them a space that they can hold on to.

0:17:22 > 0:17:25Cos the children aren't going to be in here forever.

0:17:25 > 0:17:26It's just a temporary measure.

0:17:26 > 0:17:29So quite a lot to think about for our designer.

0:17:31 > 0:17:35The job of giving Freddie and Iesha their family-friendly bedroom

0:17:35 > 0:17:39goes to 24-year-old mother of two Kimberly from Oxfordshire.

0:17:39 > 0:17:42In her heat, her choices of colour and material

0:17:42 > 0:17:44showed sparks of genius.

0:17:44 > 0:17:47But she struggled with the demands of the job.

0:17:47 > 0:17:51This time, it's vital she demonstrates better project management.

0:17:51 > 0:17:54So your brief was contemporary,

0:17:54 > 0:17:57industrial

0:17:57 > 0:17:59and you like your muted colours.

0:17:59 > 0:18:02But what I did want to do was

0:18:02 > 0:18:05put in an extra complimentary colour

0:18:05 > 0:18:07that made the scheme pop.

0:18:07 > 0:18:09- So I've gone for a copper.- OK.

0:18:09 > 0:18:12I am going to be using copper piping.

0:18:12 > 0:18:15- OK.- Right.- I've gone for another element

0:18:15 > 0:18:17which I haven't managed to put on the board...

0:18:17 > 0:18:18which is concrete.

0:18:18 > 0:18:21- OK.- We like concrete.- Good! I love it.

0:18:21 > 0:18:26Moving on, I have commissioned a specific piece of artwork.

0:18:26 > 0:18:28And the idea behind the "&" is that, you know,

0:18:28 > 0:18:30you're all living there,

0:18:30 > 0:18:35like, it's, you know, Mummy and Daddy and brothers and family.

0:18:35 > 0:18:36I'm slightly...

0:18:39 > 0:18:41..uneasy about this "F & I".

0:18:41 > 0:18:42It's the kind of thing...

0:18:42 > 0:18:46I would typically not have in a room.

0:18:46 > 0:18:49Kimberly's multifunctional family bedroom

0:18:49 > 0:18:51incorporates a dressing table for Iesha

0:18:51 > 0:18:53and a nursery area for their youngest.

0:18:53 > 0:18:56I didn't want to go for hard floors

0:18:56 > 0:18:59with having the baby and your young son in the room.

0:18:59 > 0:19:01And being a bedroom,

0:19:01 > 0:19:04- it's quite nice to have a sort of cosy feel underfoot.- Yeah, sure.

0:19:04 > 0:19:08Kimberly, yet again, very, very thorough,

0:19:08 > 0:19:11well thought-out presentation.

0:19:11 > 0:19:15Clear, easy to understand, beautiful scale drawings.

0:19:15 > 0:19:17I mean, her presentation skills are the best, aren't they?

0:19:17 > 0:19:19Yeah. And that colour scheme

0:19:19 > 0:19:22with the pale blues, the greys and then the copper thrown in

0:19:22 > 0:19:24is going to be really peaceful

0:19:24 > 0:19:27and yet with a little glimmer of excitement going on, too.

0:19:31 > 0:19:34I think I'm going to be making lots of lists this time.

0:19:34 > 0:19:37That's the one criticism I got from the judges

0:19:37 > 0:19:40and I'm keen to improve my project management

0:19:40 > 0:19:42and my organisation.

0:19:42 > 0:19:45So that's what I'm doing. I'm just making sure everything's organised.

0:19:45 > 0:19:47I know what we've got to do and when.

0:19:47 > 0:19:50- OK, so we need plywood bedside tables.- Yeah.

0:19:50 > 0:19:52Get the bed up so we can measure everything.

0:19:52 > 0:19:54- OK.- And I need to get all the concrete work done...

0:19:54 > 0:19:56- Yeah. Yeah, sure.- ..today.

0:19:56 > 0:19:58- OK.- So it dries!- All right.

0:20:01 > 0:20:03Today, concrete might not always be seen

0:20:03 > 0:20:05as the most attractive material,

0:20:05 > 0:20:09but 60 years ago, it was considered cutting-edge.

0:20:09 > 0:20:10Keeling House is a perfect example

0:20:10 > 0:20:13of the architectural movement called brutalism,

0:20:13 > 0:20:16coined in the early '50s by the British architect Alison Smithson,

0:20:16 > 0:20:18after the architectural great Le Corbusier

0:20:18 > 0:20:20started experimenting with it in France.

0:20:20 > 0:20:22In fact, the term comes from the French for raw concrete,

0:20:22 > 0:20:24beton brut.

0:20:24 > 0:20:27And you can identify brutalism by its use of this raw concrete

0:20:27 > 0:20:30and by the structural frame expressed on the exterior

0:20:30 > 0:20:31that holds up the whole building

0:20:31 > 0:20:34in bold sculptural and geometric forms.

0:20:36 > 0:20:38Construction is typically made

0:20:38 > 0:20:42by pouring concrete into wooden board moulds.

0:20:42 > 0:20:45Once dry, the concrete bears the evidence of the process...

0:20:47 > 0:20:49..a rough, wood-patterned finish.

0:20:52 > 0:20:55This building dates from a time in the late 1950s

0:20:55 > 0:20:57when Britain was really excited about the future.

0:20:57 > 0:21:00And you can see reflected all over the architecture -

0:21:00 > 0:21:02in its structural efficiency,

0:21:02 > 0:21:04in its futuristic use of concrete,

0:21:04 > 0:21:06in those bold geometric forms,

0:21:06 > 0:21:08like these wonderful overhanging porches,

0:21:08 > 0:21:11a far cry from most people's images of brutalism

0:21:11 > 0:21:14of devastated utopias and crumbling concrete.

0:21:17 > 0:21:20One of our modern-day designers, however,

0:21:20 > 0:21:23is finding his modern monochrome scheme doesn't quite measure up

0:21:23 > 0:21:26to the building's rather compact rooms.

0:21:27 > 0:21:30Oh, God, that's tight!

0:21:30 > 0:21:33I really wanted to put an old wardrobe,

0:21:33 > 0:21:35but I just don't think it's going to fit.

0:21:36 > 0:21:39Yeah, I'm going to have to have a rethink already.

0:21:40 > 0:21:43That is the theme of my...

0:21:44 > 0:21:47..my designing, I think. "Have a rethink!"

0:21:52 > 0:21:55Eight floors down, Luke's industrial warehouse theme

0:21:55 > 0:21:57has also hit a snag.

0:21:57 > 0:22:01I still haven't quite made my mind up about the colour.

0:22:03 > 0:22:06I like the colour but it's whether Sara's going to like the colour.

0:22:06 > 0:22:12My hope is that Sara doesn't have a huge aversion to any forms of pink.

0:22:12 > 0:22:14I'm just going to have to have a quick...

0:22:14 > 0:22:17think about it

0:22:17 > 0:22:19and what we're going to do.

0:22:19 > 0:22:23So I'm going to stand here and stare at the ceiling for a bit.

0:22:24 > 0:22:26HE HUMS AND HAWS

0:22:32 > 0:22:34Down on the first floor,

0:22:34 > 0:22:38Susan's first step to creating Chris's bachelor bedroom

0:22:38 > 0:22:39is to rip up the carpet.

0:22:39 > 0:22:44You don't expect to see floorboards in a concrete building, do you?

0:22:44 > 0:22:45When Keeling House was instructed,

0:22:45 > 0:22:49the architects used wood flooring rather than concrete in the bedrooms

0:22:49 > 0:22:52to lighten the load placed on the building's structure.

0:22:52 > 0:22:56I'm sure they'll look wonderful when we've finished but unfortunately,

0:22:56 > 0:22:59it's going to take a while to clean all this up.

0:22:59 > 0:23:02Something that I didn't expect - there to be plaster here.

0:23:08 > 0:23:12Upstairs, Kimberly's meticulously planned schedule

0:23:12 > 0:23:14for her multifunctional family room

0:23:14 > 0:23:16has taken a massive blow.

0:23:16 > 0:23:19Her key materials of concrete, plywood and copper

0:23:19 > 0:23:20have yet to arrive.

0:23:22 > 0:23:24I'm just really frustrated cos it feels like

0:23:24 > 0:23:27I'm not getting everything done that I need to get done

0:23:27 > 0:23:29and I'm worried about time

0:23:29 > 0:23:33and whether it's all going to be enough.

0:23:33 > 0:23:35I think the stakes have been raised and...

0:23:35 > 0:23:38Every minute counts on this one so...

0:23:39 > 0:23:42It's high-pressure and it's getting to me a bit.

0:23:49 > 0:23:50Tears on the first day!

0:23:58 > 0:24:01As the end of day one approaches, it's not just Kimberly

0:24:01 > 0:24:05who's apprehensive about finishing on time.

0:24:05 > 0:24:09NEIL: I thought I could have made more progress than I have,

0:24:09 > 0:24:12but that's, sort of, just how it is.

0:24:12 > 0:24:16In a way, it is still quite a fumbling process for me, as well.

0:24:17 > 0:24:18Tomorrow's a big day.

0:24:18 > 0:24:21That is the day when we have to complete most of our tasks.

0:24:21 > 0:24:25It may only be a small room but there's still a lot to do.

0:24:25 > 0:24:26I just really want to win.

0:24:26 > 0:24:29I just have my little mantra, "Just really want to win,

0:24:29 > 0:24:31"really want to win, really want to win,

0:24:31 > 0:24:33"really want to win, really want to win..."

0:24:44 > 0:24:48After the first day, the painting has started, plans have changed.

0:24:48 > 0:24:51But on day two, with so much at stake in these quarter-finals,

0:24:51 > 0:24:54the designers really have to up their game.

0:24:54 > 0:24:55I'm confident at the moment.

0:24:55 > 0:24:57Everything is organised, everything is here.

0:24:57 > 0:25:00So just got to push, push, push.

0:25:02 > 0:25:04I'm feeling much better about the paint.

0:25:05 > 0:25:08Overnight, Luke has decided his pink ceiling

0:25:08 > 0:25:12is right for his industrial warehouse design,

0:25:12 > 0:25:16leaving him free to get on with his other creative tasks.

0:25:16 > 0:25:20This is a map that Sara wants to have on the wall

0:25:20 > 0:25:22so we're going to give her a frame.

0:25:22 > 0:25:25So I'm just having a measure up of actually how big it is...

0:25:25 > 0:25:27work out what frame we want.

0:25:29 > 0:25:33One designer's rubbish is another designer's treasure.

0:25:33 > 0:25:36It should clean up all right. I'll probably just sand it anyway.

0:25:36 > 0:25:38Salvaging is a great way to save money

0:25:38 > 0:25:40but it's always important to get permission,

0:25:40 > 0:25:42from the person who has discarded the items

0:25:42 > 0:25:44before taking them.

0:25:44 > 0:25:45Take that just in case.

0:25:45 > 0:25:48'My mind is always ticking over with ideas.'

0:25:48 > 0:25:50I can plant something in the back of my mind

0:25:50 > 0:25:53and it just ticks over, and then once it's agreed an idea,

0:25:53 > 0:25:55it seems to just pop into the front of my head.

0:25:55 > 0:25:57Then I just do it!

0:25:57 > 0:25:59Which reminds me, I've just had another one.

0:25:59 > 0:26:04These are two fairly nondescript side tables.

0:26:04 > 0:26:06These are the legs.

0:26:06 > 0:26:09So I'm going to paint them.

0:26:09 > 0:26:12But I'm just going to load the gloss paint here

0:26:12 > 0:26:16and then just let it drip and slide down.

0:26:16 > 0:26:18And then let them dry.

0:26:18 > 0:26:21And then when you invert them, to stand,

0:26:21 > 0:26:24the drips will be going up the legs.

0:26:24 > 0:26:25Just another idea.

0:26:25 > 0:26:29Popped into my head about one o'clock last night,

0:26:29 > 0:26:31as I was trying to go to sleep.

0:26:34 > 0:26:37While Luke is dripping with ideas,

0:26:37 > 0:26:41Neil is suffering a creative block with his modern monochrome scheme.

0:26:41 > 0:26:45I'm sort of worried it's very unambitious, this one.

0:26:45 > 0:26:49In a way, I've just got a room that's painted a bit grey, at the moment.

0:26:50 > 0:26:54So I sort of, once, maybe, some of the things start coming together,

0:26:54 > 0:26:56the more creative things that I'm like,

0:26:56 > 0:27:00"Oh, yeah, that's really cool," then maybe I'll feel better about it.

0:27:02 > 0:27:05- How's it going?- Well, I'm hoping to get loads achieved today.

0:27:05 > 0:27:07I have came in this morning and thought,

0:27:07 > 0:27:10"Oh, God, I haven't really done a great deal."

0:27:10 > 0:27:12- Still a white box.- White wall.

0:27:12 > 0:27:14Grey wall here, grey wall here.

0:27:14 > 0:27:17Yeah, hopefully we'll get some more creative things done today.

0:27:17 > 0:27:19I've been pondering my letter M, you know,

0:27:19 > 0:27:22and what shape it should be and what font it should be.

0:27:22 > 0:27:26- Less ponder, more do. - OK. Yes, fair enough!

0:27:26 > 0:27:28- Good luck.- Thank you.

0:27:31 > 0:27:35Neil's had the best part of a day to get his work started

0:27:35 > 0:27:39and what I've seen up to now are two grey walls.

0:27:39 > 0:27:41Now, I know this man is a creative genius

0:27:41 > 0:27:43and he needs his thinking time,

0:27:43 > 0:27:46but thinking time is over. He's got to get on with it.

0:27:49 > 0:27:51After yesterday's delay,

0:27:51 > 0:27:53a delivery of seven pound quick dry concrete

0:27:53 > 0:27:57means Kimberly is finally making her bedside table tops.

0:27:59 > 0:28:01A release agent, such as cooking oil,

0:28:01 > 0:28:03is applied to the wooden moulds

0:28:03 > 0:28:06so once dry, the concrete will slide free.

0:28:06 > 0:28:08This is actually called postcrete, isn't it,

0:28:08 > 0:28:11which has got a chemical agent in it so it goes off very quickly.

0:28:11 > 0:28:14- You've got about 15 minutes to work this, haven't you? - If that, yeah.

0:28:14 > 0:28:18Whereas a traditional concrete would take about 12 hours to set,

0:28:18 > 0:28:20you haven't got the luxury of that kind of time, have you,

0:28:20 > 0:28:23- this time round? - I haven't, no. So we just...

0:28:25 > 0:28:26- Hopefully...- Oh, cool!

0:28:26 > 0:28:30..it should fill all the gaps so there's no air bubbles trapped.

0:28:30 > 0:28:33The concrete mould will be left to dry outside overnight

0:28:33 > 0:28:35on the shared balcony.

0:28:38 > 0:28:40When Keeling House was built,

0:28:40 > 0:28:43many felt these communal areas were cold and soulless.

0:28:45 > 0:28:48The brutalist architects wanted to be anything but brutal

0:28:48 > 0:28:51to the people that were using their buildings.

0:28:51 > 0:28:53Architect Denys Lasdun wanted to continue the tradition

0:28:53 > 0:28:55of East End terraced housing

0:28:55 > 0:28:58with its sense of community and sturdy design.

0:28:58 > 0:29:00He studied the street life of the area,

0:29:00 > 0:29:02hoping to combine its neighbourliness

0:29:02 > 0:29:05with all the benefits of modern design.

0:29:05 > 0:29:08So he basically took the Victorian terraced street,

0:29:08 > 0:29:09upended it...

0:29:09 > 0:29:10and shot it into the sky.

0:29:15 > 0:29:18He incorporated communal areas all through the building,

0:29:18 > 0:29:20full of greenery and space

0:29:20 > 0:29:22to hang out your washing and meet the neighbours.

0:29:22 > 0:29:25And he angled each tower so it faced the next one

0:29:25 > 0:29:27so you could wave to your neighbour

0:29:27 > 0:29:29or at least give them a piece of your mind.

0:29:29 > 0:29:32Brutal in name, but rather thoughtful in design.

0:29:32 > 0:29:35Unfortunately, over the years and without regular upkeep,

0:29:35 > 0:29:37the communal areas became vandalised.

0:29:37 > 0:29:39What greenery there was disappeared.

0:29:39 > 0:29:41Keeling House fell into disrepair.

0:29:41 > 0:29:43It was even threatened with demolition.

0:29:45 > 0:29:47Fortunately for our designers,

0:29:47 > 0:29:50today the building is standing strong.

0:29:51 > 0:29:53I think I feel as though I'm on track this morning

0:29:53 > 0:29:56and I think we're going to be fine.

0:29:56 > 0:29:58In her scheme for a bachelor bedroom,

0:29:58 > 0:30:01Susan is finishing painting the walls.

0:30:01 > 0:30:03I'm happy with the colour, I'm happy with my design,

0:30:03 > 0:30:04I'm happy with everything.

0:30:04 > 0:30:08Very excited about opening my tin of paint for the furniture.

0:30:09 > 0:30:14I am now putting on the first coat of eggshell.

0:30:14 > 0:30:16An expert in the art of upcycling,

0:30:16 > 0:30:20Susan is in her element renovating the flat-pack furniture.

0:30:20 > 0:30:23I love the fact that you can make a piece of furniture,

0:30:23 > 0:30:26perhaps that you've had for years,

0:30:26 > 0:30:28and you can give it new life.

0:30:28 > 0:30:30I don't like things dying.

0:30:30 > 0:30:33I like them to live and carry on living!

0:30:35 > 0:30:39To address the storage, Susan has designed a huge fitted wardrobe.

0:30:42 > 0:30:43Splendid.

0:30:45 > 0:30:48- What progress!- Yes. - Wardrobe up.- Yes.

0:30:48 > 0:30:50- Paint on the walls.- Yes.

0:30:50 > 0:30:51But is there enough progress?

0:30:51 > 0:30:54- Yes!- And all the accessories and all the bits

0:30:54 > 0:30:56are all ready to install?

0:30:56 > 0:30:58- Yes, yes.- Oh, your in plan, aren't you?- Yes.

0:30:58 > 0:31:01- It's rather irritating! - HE LAUGHS

0:31:09 > 0:31:12This is sort of the idea to do the lampshades.

0:31:13 > 0:31:16Up in the penthouse, a six pound roll of wire

0:31:16 > 0:31:21has finally got Neil inspired to make a handmade lampshade.

0:31:21 > 0:31:25There is this worry at this stage

0:31:25 > 0:31:28that it might just look really awful!

0:31:28 > 0:31:32I don't know. I wonder if it could look a bit...vaguely atomic.

0:31:36 > 0:31:37On the tenth floor,

0:31:37 > 0:31:40Kimberly's plan for a family-friendly bedroom

0:31:40 > 0:31:41is coming together.

0:31:42 > 0:31:44The walls are being painted concrete grey,

0:31:44 > 0:31:47while in the nursery area Kimberly's design adds warmth,

0:31:47 > 0:31:49with playful metallic stencilling.

0:31:53 > 0:31:57Stencilling is something you always associate with the '90s!

0:31:57 > 0:31:59But, I mean, circles and, you know,

0:31:59 > 0:32:02going for a very contemporary look,

0:32:02 > 0:32:05it's really easy to do and super effective.

0:32:06 > 0:32:09Kimberly's using an £11 can of spray paint

0:32:09 > 0:32:13as it adheres to almost any surface and dries in minutes.

0:32:16 > 0:32:19I'm really, really pleased with that. It looks brilliant.

0:32:19 > 0:32:20I like the way it shines.

0:32:22 > 0:32:24With the walls done,

0:32:24 > 0:32:28Kimberly is now considering a radical plan to strip the floor.

0:32:28 > 0:32:31- I would love to do this. - If you want to do it, do it.

0:32:31 > 0:32:32I mean, it's...

0:32:32 > 0:32:35- I think I need...- It's your... - I need an edge in this room.

0:32:35 > 0:32:37It's your thing, isn't it? I mean...

0:32:37 > 0:32:39If she goes ahead with a new plan,

0:32:39 > 0:32:41it will impact on an already hectic schedule.

0:32:43 > 0:32:44It's a risk.

0:32:44 > 0:32:48Today I've got eight hours left.

0:32:49 > 0:32:50Yeah...

0:32:52 > 0:32:54Are we going to do it?

0:32:56 > 0:32:59Yeah, we're doing it. OK, decision made.

0:33:05 > 0:33:06So how is it all going?

0:33:06 > 0:33:09The flooring has lifted my confidence a lot.

0:33:09 > 0:33:12- The flooring?- It has. - What's happened with the floor?

0:33:12 > 0:33:16- We found some amazing floorboards underneath the carpet.- Right.

0:33:16 > 0:33:17And we had some budget left

0:33:17 > 0:33:21so we are getting in a sander and stripping the floorboards back.

0:33:21 > 0:33:25She's deciding to strip the floor which, honestly, to me,

0:33:25 > 0:33:28seems like a complete moment of madness.

0:33:28 > 0:33:29It's not appropriate for a bedroom.

0:33:29 > 0:33:32It's not appropriate when you've got toddlers crawling on the floor

0:33:32 > 0:33:35and I don't actually think it's going to add anything.

0:33:35 > 0:33:37And it could make her run over...

0:33:37 > 0:33:40Has she not learned anything from her first project?

0:33:40 > 0:33:41I'm seriously concerned.

0:33:43 > 0:33:46As our designers grapple with their rooms,

0:33:46 > 0:33:49it seems unbelievable that just 20 years ago

0:33:49 > 0:33:52Keeling House stood derelict and unused by Tower Hamlets Council.

0:33:54 > 0:33:57The renovation of Keeling House only really got under way

0:33:57 > 0:34:01after English Heritage gave it a Grade II* listing in 1993,

0:34:01 > 0:34:04calling the building an architecturally outstanding example

0:34:04 > 0:34:06of 1950s social housing.

0:34:08 > 0:34:09Six years later, in 1999,

0:34:09 > 0:34:12house prices in Bethnal Green were rising fast

0:34:12 > 0:34:16and a new generation were attracted to the high-rise towers

0:34:16 > 0:34:18that had previously been spurned.

0:34:20 > 0:34:22Foreseeing Keeling House's potential,

0:34:22 > 0:34:24developers bought the tower block

0:34:24 > 0:34:28for the trifling sum of £1.3 million.

0:34:28 > 0:34:31This building is now lauded as one of the most successful examples

0:34:31 > 0:34:34of converting social housing into private apartments.

0:34:34 > 0:34:37A flat here will cost about £400,000

0:34:37 > 0:34:40but it's a far cry from its original purpose -

0:34:40 > 0:34:42providing social housing for the needy

0:34:42 > 0:34:44after the Second World War.

0:34:49 > 0:34:51It's the end of the second day.

0:34:51 > 0:34:54Tomorrow Sophie and Daniel will decide which two designers

0:34:54 > 0:34:58leave the competition and which two go through to the semifinal.

0:34:59 > 0:35:03I'm finding the creativity level extremely high.

0:35:03 > 0:35:05Concerned about timing this morning,

0:35:05 > 0:35:07but they all seem to be catching up by this evening.

0:35:07 > 0:35:09It's down to project management now.

0:35:09 > 0:35:11Who is going to finish and to a high standard?

0:35:11 > 0:35:16Because we won't be judging kindly if nobody finishes on time tomorrow.

0:35:20 > 0:35:22As the other designers leave for the evening,

0:35:22 > 0:35:24Kimberly's last-minute design change

0:35:24 > 0:35:28means she'll have to work into the night to finish on time.

0:35:28 > 0:35:32We need to get the rest of the sanding finished off.

0:35:32 > 0:35:36It's power tools down eight o'clock, we can't disturb the neighbours.

0:35:36 > 0:35:39So I'm finishing off with hand sanding.

0:35:39 > 0:35:43Once that's done, sweep up, get it varnished, get it painted.

0:35:43 > 0:35:46We need to get that done tonight so it's got time to dry,

0:35:46 > 0:35:47so we can crack on in the morning.

0:35:47 > 0:35:50I need to be finished tomorrow. I have to be!

0:36:03 > 0:36:05It's now D-Day for our amateur designers.

0:36:05 > 0:36:07They've just got a few hours left

0:36:07 > 0:36:09to get their rooms dressed and ready for our judges,

0:36:09 > 0:36:13Dan and Sophie, to cast a critical eye over their efforts.

0:36:13 > 0:36:18Nervous energy' kicked in now. My heart rate's accelerating.

0:36:18 > 0:36:21I haven't actually got that much time left,

0:36:21 > 0:36:23which I sort of didn't really realise.

0:36:23 > 0:36:25I think time's just crept up on me.

0:36:28 > 0:36:32On the first floor it's still an oasis of calm.

0:36:32 > 0:36:35I don't feel at all stressed!

0:36:37 > 0:36:39Well, maybe when people start shouting at me,

0:36:39 > 0:36:41"You've only got 10 minutes to go."

0:36:41 > 0:36:44I'll think, "Oh, I don't know. Oh, be quiet."

0:36:44 > 0:36:46I don't look at my watch.

0:36:46 > 0:36:49I just keep going until somebody tells me I've got to stop.

0:36:53 > 0:36:58With just hours until the deadline, Neil is finally hitting his stride.

0:36:58 > 0:37:02Churning out his characteristic quirky creations including

0:37:02 > 0:37:04some handmade monochrome cushions.

0:37:04 > 0:37:07I had this idea, just take an existing plain cushion cover

0:37:07 > 0:37:12and then just scribble a print on with a permanent marker pen.

0:37:12 > 0:37:15What I love about this is you can literally by a cushion pad

0:37:15 > 0:37:17from a department store for a couple of quid.

0:37:17 > 0:37:20This is just a bit of calico, so what's this in fabric, 50p max?

0:37:20 > 0:37:23- Yeah, really cheap. - I want to see you in action.

0:37:24 > 0:37:27Neil uses his imagination and different sized

0:37:27 > 0:37:31permanent marker pens to make a design that is truly original.

0:37:31 > 0:37:33So you are getting bespoke,

0:37:33 > 0:37:37one-off designer cushion for less than three quid, I've worked out.

0:37:37 > 0:37:40- I think that's really good.- I know, shall I sign them on the back?

0:37:40 > 0:37:42SHE LAUGHS

0:37:45 > 0:37:49Outside, Kimberly still has a lot to do to complete her ambitious

0:37:49 > 0:37:51family-friendly bedroom.

0:37:51 > 0:37:54I'm really nervous about these concrete tops.

0:37:54 > 0:37:57I really, really want them to work.

0:37:57 > 0:37:59The moment of truth for this one, hopefully.

0:38:02 > 0:38:04Ta-da!

0:38:04 > 0:38:05I'm really pleased.

0:38:05 > 0:38:08And I love the bubbles, they add to the texture

0:38:08 > 0:38:09and the roughness of them.

0:38:12 > 0:38:14From concrete to copper.

0:38:14 > 0:38:17For an instant industrial look, Kimberly gives the plastic

0:38:17 > 0:38:19light fittings a spray of metallic paint,

0:38:19 > 0:38:23and her homemade baby mobile receives the same treatment.

0:38:24 > 0:38:28This is going to be dangled from the copper piping

0:38:28 > 0:38:31that I'm going to bend and put above the cot.

0:38:31 > 0:38:34It will become a really pretty little mobile.

0:38:34 > 0:38:36Ah! There.

0:38:36 > 0:38:39So, the cot's going here.

0:38:39 > 0:38:43The mobile is made from materials which may not be safe for children

0:38:43 > 0:38:47to play with, so Kimberly is hanging it right out of their reach.

0:38:47 > 0:38:50Taking the protective tape off the front of our copper.

0:38:51 > 0:38:55Luke's decided to cover the MDF wardrobe door in copper sheeting,

0:38:55 > 0:38:59held in place with a super strong contact adhesive.

0:38:59 > 0:39:01Copper looks great, I think it looks really nice.

0:39:01 > 0:39:05I'm happy with that door. Happy with that whole look, really.

0:39:05 > 0:39:08And the quirky loft theme continues,

0:39:08 > 0:39:12as Luke adds industrial bedside lighting with concrete fittings.

0:39:12 > 0:39:17Architecturally, this just gives us a knowing nod to the building,

0:39:17 > 0:39:20the architecture, the Brutalist concrete.

0:39:20 > 0:39:23I didn't want to bring too much concrete physically into the room.

0:39:25 > 0:39:26I'm not entirely happy with that.

0:39:26 > 0:39:30It needs just more playing around for dressing

0:39:30 > 0:39:33and making it look good, but I don't have the time for that, so...

0:39:33 > 0:39:36I'm saying that a lot now, but I don't.

0:39:38 > 0:39:40Is it going to happen?

0:39:40 > 0:39:42As the quarterfinal draws to a close,

0:39:42 > 0:39:46serene Susan is playing with blocks of primary colour.

0:39:46 > 0:39:49These are what I call my building bricks.

0:39:49 > 0:39:54I've tried to make this chest of drawers represent the buildings.

0:39:54 > 0:39:56- Is that better? - It's high on that side.

0:39:56 > 0:40:00Susan has also hand painted the vibrant artwork,

0:40:00 > 0:40:03which she hopes will tie the room together.

0:40:03 > 0:40:05It says go north, go up. It wants to come down on the side.

0:40:05 > 0:40:07This comes down on that one, yes.

0:40:07 > 0:40:09Because I tell you what, old Dan's got an eagle eye

0:40:09 > 0:40:11and he notices things that are crooked.

0:40:13 > 0:40:17Up in the penthouse, Neil has managed to source a flat-pack

0:40:17 > 0:40:18wardrobe that will fit the room.

0:40:18 > 0:40:22But, at £300, it's taken nearly a third of his budget.

0:40:24 > 0:40:29Fortunately, Neil's saved money with his adjustable bedside lights.

0:40:29 > 0:40:32La-la-la-la! I do like those.

0:40:32 > 0:40:36Two pulleys costing £1.50 each are attached to the ceiling

0:40:36 > 0:40:39and threaded with electrical cord.

0:40:39 > 0:40:41Neil simply finishes with an oversized bulb

0:40:41 > 0:40:43and his bespoke lampshades.

0:40:43 > 0:40:46Like all lampshades, no metal parts

0:40:46 > 0:40:48are in direct contact with electric components.

0:40:51 > 0:40:52With just minutes to go,

0:40:52 > 0:40:56all the designers are adding their finishing touches.

0:40:56 > 0:40:57Oh!

0:40:57 > 0:41:01Desperate to prove she can manage her time, Kimberly is working hard

0:41:01 > 0:41:03to ensure she hits the deadline.

0:41:03 > 0:41:06I'm feeling a bit stressed, it's touch and go.

0:41:06 > 0:41:07I want to dress it nicely

0:41:07 > 0:41:11but that seems like it's going to be a luxury at the moment.

0:41:13 > 0:41:16Luke is hoping to win over his meticulous graphic designer client

0:41:16 > 0:41:19with a few personal touches.

0:41:19 > 0:41:22These are from the homeowner's bedroom door.

0:41:22 > 0:41:24It's going to be a door handle.

0:41:24 > 0:41:27It looks like something might have to give at this point,

0:41:27 > 0:41:29like the blinds might not have to go up.

0:41:29 > 0:41:31That's it, that's as far as I can take it.

0:41:31 > 0:41:34It's dressed, it's complete.

0:41:34 > 0:41:37With only £1,000 and just under three days,

0:41:37 > 0:41:41our quarterfinalists have risen to the challenge of transforming

0:41:41 > 0:41:44four blank canvas bedrooms into works of art.

0:41:51 > 0:41:54First up for the judges' scrutiny is Luke.

0:41:54 > 0:41:56His industrial warehouse design

0:41:56 > 0:41:58must prove he can deliver a coherent scheme.

0:42:01 > 0:42:04Three days ago this room felt cold

0:42:04 > 0:42:07and lacked any reference to its Brutalist surroundings.

0:42:20 > 0:42:22Now it feels warm.

0:42:22 > 0:42:26Luke has been bold with colour, adding flashes of bright pink

0:42:26 > 0:42:28and orange in contrast to the grey walls.

0:42:28 > 0:42:32Details such as his paint dipped side tables

0:42:32 > 0:42:35and copper coated cupboard mix style with storage.

0:42:37 > 0:42:38Luke has used bare bulbs

0:42:38 > 0:42:42and exposed wires to reflect Sara's desire for industrial features.

0:42:44 > 0:42:47And his innovative ideas, such as the scavenged wood frame

0:42:47 > 0:42:50and door handle, add a handmade, personal touch.

0:42:59 > 0:43:02- You like it, don't you? - Yeah, I do, I really like it.

0:43:02 > 0:43:04I think this is to brief.

0:43:04 > 0:43:09It's got the industrial elements.

0:43:09 > 0:43:12Funnily enough, I rather like the pink, of course,

0:43:12 > 0:43:15- and the orange that we're seeing in the room.- Yes, beautifully done.

0:43:15 > 0:43:18These units are rather interesting on either side, the bedside tables.

0:43:18 > 0:43:20I like the splayed leg

0:43:20 > 0:43:23and how they've been painted with a pink leg at the bottom.

0:43:23 > 0:43:26They're super. I'm really into this sort of idea of dropping lights.

0:43:26 > 0:43:28Instead of having bedside tables,

0:43:28 > 0:43:31is dropping lights from the ceiling on either side.

0:43:31 > 0:43:32It's always fun.

0:43:32 > 0:43:35But for me here there's too much wire wrapping.

0:43:35 > 0:43:38I would want to cut the wires and just neaten it up a little bit.

0:43:38 > 0:43:40- So this is just too messy for you? - Too messy. Yeah.

0:43:40 > 0:43:44But what a nice idea. These are wooden hoops attached to the wall.

0:43:44 > 0:43:46The wardrobe, I like the design,

0:43:46 > 0:43:48I like the way he's built it into that space.

0:43:48 > 0:43:51It kind of disappears in the room, which I like.

0:43:51 > 0:43:53This line should have been addressed.

0:43:53 > 0:43:54Rather than just buying a piece,

0:43:54 > 0:43:56glueing it on and hoping for the best.

0:43:56 > 0:43:57In terms of Sara's brief,

0:43:57 > 0:44:01I feel that he's given her a room full of personality.

0:44:01 > 0:44:04I don't think it is what Sara would do for herself,

0:44:04 > 0:44:06I think he's definitely pushed the brief.

0:44:08 > 0:44:13How well they have fulfilled the client's brief is a key criterion

0:44:13 > 0:44:15on which the amateur designers will be judged.

0:44:15 > 0:44:19This will be the first time Sara has seen her room since it was finished.

0:44:19 > 0:44:23Wow! Oh, my God! I'm very impressed.

0:44:23 > 0:44:25- Wow!- Yeah.- A great endorsement.

0:44:25 > 0:44:29I know. But I love it. It feels bigger.

0:44:29 > 0:44:33Yeah, it feels cosy, and that's what I struggled with before.

0:44:33 > 0:44:36- It was like a cold room. - He's brought out the warmth in you.

0:44:36 > 0:44:37HE CHUCKLES

0:44:40 > 0:44:43Next up is Susan's bachelor bedroom.

0:44:43 > 0:44:47Her challenge was to break from the comfort of her shabby chic style,

0:44:47 > 0:44:49to produce something cool and modern.

0:44:50 > 0:44:55Three days ago this bachelor pad was a beige box, cluttered, colourless

0:44:55 > 0:44:58and choc-full with flat-pack furniture.

0:45:10 > 0:45:13Now it's stripped back and de-cluttered.

0:45:13 > 0:45:16Susan has whitewashed the floors and used deep blues

0:45:16 > 0:45:19and punchy primary colours to give a masculine feel.

0:45:21 > 0:45:25She has repainted the flat-pack furniture and added colourful blocks

0:45:25 > 0:45:27to reflect the Brutalist style of the building.

0:45:28 > 0:45:33Her addition of a huge built-in wardrobe has solved storage issues.

0:45:33 > 0:45:37Longer curtains play a design trick and make the windows feel larger.

0:45:38 > 0:45:41To being the scheme together, Susan has hung a piece

0:45:41 > 0:45:44of her original art, created specially for the building.

0:45:49 > 0:45:50HE LAUGHS

0:45:50 > 0:45:53It's a real boy's room is my first impression.

0:45:53 > 0:45:56But absolute serenity, as well, it's not crazy.

0:45:56 > 0:45:58It's clean, it's uncluttered,

0:45:58 > 0:46:00it's functional, it's masculine.

0:46:00 > 0:46:02Chris did request on the brief

0:46:02 > 0:46:05that he wanted to get rid of his flat-pack furniture.

0:46:05 > 0:46:08Who would have guessed that, actually, that IS his flat-pack

0:46:08 > 0:46:12furniture, which is dressed up to make it look like a million dollars?

0:46:12 > 0:46:14We are seeing a room here

0:46:14 > 0:46:17that works 360 degrees, doesn't it?

0:46:17 > 0:46:19Everywhere you look, there's a visual reference.

0:46:19 > 0:46:21And her spatial planning is spot-on.

0:46:21 > 0:46:23She's taken the lowered section

0:46:23 > 0:46:25of the ceiling and slotted in

0:46:25 > 0:46:27the wardrobe, where it should be,

0:46:27 > 0:46:30and I love the fact that she's got the lines,

0:46:30 > 0:46:32which are decorative,

0:46:32 > 0:46:33but also they're handles.

0:46:33 > 0:46:36I would have liked the bed to have been slightly dressed.

0:46:36 > 0:46:39I think that if... I know boys don't like cushions,

0:46:39 > 0:46:42but the pillows could have been a bit of fun.

0:46:42 > 0:46:45Yeah, you're right. It's a little bit too utilitarian.

0:46:45 > 0:46:48Colour-wise, I think this has been a very interesting exercise

0:46:48 > 0:46:52for Susan, cos we know that she loves to celebrate colour,

0:46:52 > 0:46:53and she's had to tone that right down.

0:46:53 > 0:46:57I think the other thing that needs to be acknowledged here

0:46:57 > 0:46:59- is it was a very well-managed project.- Mm-hm.

0:46:59 > 0:47:01Good quality.

0:47:01 > 0:47:03Oop! Paint's still tacky.

0:47:03 > 0:47:05THEY LAUGH

0:47:11 > 0:47:12Wow.

0:47:14 > 0:47:17- Different, eh?- Yeah, it does.

0:47:17 > 0:47:19It looks great. Oh, wow.

0:47:19 > 0:47:21- You wanted storage.- I did! I did.- You've got storage.

0:47:21 > 0:47:24- Do you think she's interpreted who you are?- I do.

0:47:24 > 0:47:25It feels like somewhere that

0:47:25 > 0:47:27I would want to lie in on a Saturday

0:47:27 > 0:47:29- morning, or spend time in.- And how

0:47:29 > 0:47:31does it compare to the mood board?

0:47:31 > 0:47:32Does it fulfil what you were promised?

0:47:32 > 0:47:34It does, and that's the weird thing,

0:47:34 > 0:47:37is I'm sort of walking into a room I feel like I know.

0:47:39 > 0:47:43Neil's laid-back approach meant his modern monochrome design

0:47:43 > 0:47:45was always a work in progress.

0:47:45 > 0:47:49And he had to prove he could pull the whole scheme together.

0:47:50 > 0:47:54Three days ago, this room was an uninviting space,

0:47:54 > 0:47:56dominated by a monolithic wardrobe.

0:48:08 > 0:48:12Now Neil has painted the white walls a soft shade of grey.

0:48:12 > 0:48:14He's moved the bed to reveal the built-in drawers,

0:48:14 > 0:48:18which he has painted, and added new brass handles.

0:48:18 > 0:48:21Across the room, the black wardrobe has been replaced

0:48:21 > 0:48:24with a lighter, smaller version.

0:48:24 > 0:48:26Neil's ingenious lighting on a simple pulley,

0:48:26 > 0:48:28handmade monochrome cushions,

0:48:28 > 0:48:30and a quirky nod to Mani's name,

0:48:30 > 0:48:34constructed from wood all make the room truly unique.

0:48:38 > 0:48:40Neil IS able to do minimal.

0:48:40 > 0:48:44I was worried that he might not be able to pull that one off.

0:48:44 > 0:48:46I love the fact that he's gone for quite a strong,

0:48:46 > 0:48:48dark graphite grey, cos this room can take it.

0:48:48 > 0:48:50It was a real hot box. Do you remember?

0:48:50 > 0:48:52- It was a bright white room.- Yeah.

0:48:52 > 0:48:54- And that colour, for me, was an excellent choice.- Yes.

0:48:54 > 0:48:57- These lights are just brilliant. Look at them.- I know.

0:48:57 > 0:48:59They're cool, aren't they?

0:48:59 > 0:49:02It's on a little pulley that can go up and down. And they're...

0:49:02 > 0:49:05They're fun, they're slightly

0:49:05 > 0:49:07industrial but not too busy,

0:49:07 > 0:49:08and so creative, with the metal.

0:49:08 > 0:49:10Bit surprised with the wardrobe.

0:49:10 > 0:49:12It's just a wardrobe.

0:49:12 > 0:49:15I would have thought he would have gone a bit further with that.

0:49:15 > 0:49:17It looks like he's just shoved this one in.

0:49:17 > 0:49:20My concern is maybe this got a bit rushed

0:49:20 > 0:49:21and he didn't have the time

0:49:21 > 0:49:24to really put those finishing touches in.

0:49:24 > 0:49:26I remember when I looked at his last project in the heats,

0:49:26 > 0:49:30everywhere I looked I was like, "I love that! And I love that!

0:49:30 > 0:49:31"And I love that." And here...

0:49:31 > 0:49:33He's designed some lighting

0:49:33 > 0:49:36and the M, but, really, I don't know...

0:49:36 > 0:49:39It's just not the ingenuity of Neil that I'd come to expect.

0:49:39 > 0:49:40But there's also restraint.

0:49:40 > 0:49:42You know that old saying of when you get dressed

0:49:42 > 0:49:45and you put all your jewellery on, then take one piece off...

0:49:45 > 0:49:47Well, this is what this room is.

0:49:49 > 0:49:50Wow.

0:49:52 > 0:49:53This is incredible.

0:49:54 > 0:49:57Well, explore your room.

0:49:57 > 0:49:59It's totally transformed.

0:49:59 > 0:50:01It's gone beyond my expectations

0:50:01 > 0:50:06of what I perceived the room might be, so, yeah, it looks amazing.

0:50:10 > 0:50:14Last to be critiqued is Kimberly's family-friendly bedroom.

0:50:14 > 0:50:18She had to show an improvement in her project-management skills,

0:50:18 > 0:50:19as well as deliver style.

0:50:21 > 0:50:24Three days ago, this room was an impractical space,

0:50:24 > 0:50:26lacking in both style and function.

0:50:39 > 0:50:42Now it's a room for the whole family.

0:50:42 > 0:50:46Kimberly has moved the mattress onto a bed frame.

0:50:46 > 0:50:48To complement the brutalist building,

0:50:48 > 0:50:51she made concrete tops for the side tables

0:50:51 > 0:50:53and added copper-coloured lighting.

0:50:53 > 0:50:55Her handmade metallic mobile

0:50:55 > 0:50:58and a compact play area should keep the children happy,

0:50:58 > 0:51:00while a rough plywood dressing table

0:51:00 > 0:51:02and geometric mirrors

0:51:02 > 0:51:04give Iesha her own space.

0:51:04 > 0:51:06And, in a last-minute decision,

0:51:06 > 0:51:09Kimberly has stripped and varnished the floor.

0:51:10 > 0:51:12SHE GASPS

0:51:13 > 0:51:15- Kapow.- It's gorgeous.

0:51:15 > 0:51:17It's beautiful.

0:51:17 > 0:51:19I can't resist it. I've just got to play

0:51:19 > 0:51:21with this mobile a bit. It's lovely.

0:51:21 > 0:51:23I could spend hours on this, let alone the baby.

0:51:23 > 0:51:26- Stick you in there with a gin and tonic, then.- Oh, God, yes.

0:51:26 > 0:51:28How's that concrete turned out?

0:51:28 > 0:51:31Love it. I would have liked to have seen more of it, in fact.

0:51:31 > 0:51:33- I love that rawness. - It's not easy stuff to work with.

0:51:33 > 0:51:35I think she did very well, actually.

0:51:35 > 0:51:39She's restrained herself. She's kept it quite minimal and cool,

0:51:39 > 0:51:41you know, like the ampersand there.

0:51:41 > 0:51:43It's a little bitty, if I'm honest.

0:51:43 > 0:51:45It's little bit disparate, in so much that you've got

0:51:45 > 0:51:48this cupboard in the corner and then another bit there

0:51:48 > 0:51:50and another bit going on there,

0:51:50 > 0:51:53and I'm wondering if it follows round smoothly.

0:51:53 > 0:51:55One big flaw for me in this room is I can see

0:51:55 > 0:51:58there's no window treatment - no blind, no curtains.

0:51:58 > 0:52:01And, look, this is a room with a toddler in it.

0:52:01 > 0:52:03As soon as the sun comes up, they're - ping - awake,

0:52:03 > 0:52:05so you really need a very good blackout blind there.

0:52:05 > 0:52:08And now I'm thinking, has she really thought of the practicalities?

0:52:08 > 0:52:12Is this floor, lovely and rustic though it is, very practical

0:52:12 > 0:52:13for a young family?

0:52:13 > 0:52:16As a picture, it's stunning.

0:52:16 > 0:52:17The rawness of ply,

0:52:17 > 0:52:20the raw floor, the concrete.

0:52:20 > 0:52:23My question, just like yours, is, "Does it work practically?"

0:52:25 > 0:52:26SHE LAUGHS

0:52:29 > 0:52:33It just feels like a really nice mix

0:52:33 > 0:52:35of adult and child.

0:52:35 > 0:52:37I don't feel like I'm in

0:52:37 > 0:52:38a children's room.

0:52:38 > 0:52:42I really like the way you've got the concrete and the hard edges,

0:52:42 > 0:52:46and then the bed, so you've got the soft fabrics and the hard edges.

0:52:46 > 0:52:47I really like that.

0:52:50 > 0:52:52The judges have seen the rooms.

0:52:52 > 0:52:55Now they have to decide which two designers are out

0:52:55 > 0:53:00of the competition, and which two are through to the semifinal.

0:53:00 > 0:53:04'Designing for people, it feels so amazing.

0:53:04 > 0:53:07'It's so fulfilling, and it makes me feel'

0:53:07 > 0:53:10like, you know, I just want to do it again and again.

0:53:10 > 0:53:12'Maybe it's the masochist in me,'

0:53:12 > 0:53:16but I just love it. I just really feed off it,

0:53:16 > 0:53:19and so far we end up getting to do it again, which is great.

0:53:19 > 0:53:21'Confident? I don't know.'

0:53:21 > 0:53:23I don't know what everybody else's rooms are like

0:53:23 > 0:53:26and how they fulfilled their briefs, or what they're looking for,

0:53:26 > 0:53:27so I haven't got a clue.

0:53:27 > 0:53:31I've got no idea if I've done enough to get through to the next round,

0:53:31 > 0:53:34but I am pleased with what I've done.

0:53:34 > 0:53:36So, Dan and Sophie.

0:53:36 > 0:53:39It's a very strong building, with a strong personality.

0:53:39 > 0:53:42Did Luke fulfil his brief for Sara?

0:53:42 > 0:53:43Stylistically,

0:53:43 > 0:53:46I thought it was very successful. I love the fact that he brought

0:53:46 > 0:53:48colour into Sara's life.

0:53:48 > 0:53:52What I liked, there were little elements that were real fun,

0:53:52 > 0:53:55but did he pull that all together

0:53:55 > 0:53:57as one cohesive look?

0:53:57 > 0:54:00I mean, what about Susan do? She did everything that she said she would.

0:54:00 > 0:54:04My criticism was it was a very hard look and quite cool.

0:54:04 > 0:54:08She'd chosen cold blues, and it just felt a bit chilly.

0:54:08 > 0:54:10Though Chris did love the room, and loved the colour.

0:54:10 > 0:54:14Yeah, but it was a bloke's room, and it worked as a bloke's room.

0:54:14 > 0:54:17Not many colours in Neil's room for Mani, though.

0:54:17 > 0:54:20No, that's true, but that was Neil being restrained,

0:54:20 > 0:54:23and what I was seeing was thoughtful, intelligent design.

0:54:23 > 0:54:27Loved the little simple pulley system for the light with the wire.

0:54:27 > 0:54:32It was going really well, and then he put in this nasty

0:54:32 > 0:54:34flat-pack wardrobe in the corner.

0:54:34 > 0:54:36We know Neil doesn't have well-thought-out plans.

0:54:36 > 0:54:39He turns up and he kind of makes it up on the spot,

0:54:39 > 0:54:45so it's hard to judge, really. Was it a plan or did he run out of time?

0:54:45 > 0:54:47Kimberly have to fit in two children, two adults,

0:54:47 > 0:54:48in one small bedroom.

0:54:48 > 0:54:53But Kimberly yet again approached it with oodles of enthusiasm,

0:54:53 > 0:54:54loads of creativity.

0:54:54 > 0:54:57Had me seriously worried quite a few times that she was

0:54:57 > 0:54:59being overly ambitious.

0:54:59 > 0:55:01Slightly edging on middle-of-the-road.

0:55:01 > 0:55:03A little bit to bitty and a bit

0:55:03 > 0:55:05overly handmade, in many respects.

0:55:05 > 0:55:08Well, you've got to make your mind up. Two have got to stay.

0:55:08 > 0:55:10Two have got to go. Who's it going to be?

0:55:15 > 0:55:19'Finally, after three days of paint, sweat and tears,

0:55:19 > 0:55:21'it's the moment of truth.

0:55:21 > 0:55:25'Which two designers will go through to the semifinals?'

0:55:25 > 0:55:28So, designers. Well done. You're all talented,

0:55:28 > 0:55:30but it's got a whole lot tougher.

0:55:30 > 0:55:31Absolutely.

0:55:31 > 0:55:35We've been thoroughly impressed to see how much you've all

0:55:35 > 0:55:36come on since the first heat.

0:55:36 > 0:55:40That's genuine, and absolutely impressed with the sensitivity

0:55:40 > 0:55:43and the thought and the care and the way you handled

0:55:43 > 0:55:44your clients and their needs.

0:55:44 > 0:55:47Two of you are going to go through to the next round.

0:55:47 > 0:55:51And the two designers going through...

0:55:51 > 0:55:53are Luke...

0:55:53 > 0:55:55and Susan.

0:55:57 > 0:55:59THEY LAUGH

0:55:59 > 0:56:01Stunned silence!

0:56:01 > 0:56:03Well done. Amazing.

0:56:03 > 0:56:08I am disappointed that I didn't get through to the next round, obviously.

0:56:08 > 0:56:11'You know, there are gaps in my methodology.

0:56:11 > 0:56:14'I did totally rejig my plan after I arrived,'

0:56:14 > 0:56:19so I sort of was aware as I was going along that that wasn't probably

0:56:19 > 0:56:20putting me in...

0:56:20 > 0:56:22You know, sort of showering me with glory.

0:56:22 > 0:56:25- Well done, though.- Thank you.

0:56:25 > 0:56:26I'm gutted.

0:56:26 > 0:56:27SHE LAUGHS

0:56:27 > 0:56:28Yeah.

0:56:28 > 0:56:30'I feel like I nailed the brief,

0:56:30 > 0:56:34'So I'm going to take all the experience,'

0:56:34 > 0:56:37everything I've learned. That has given me huge confidence.

0:56:39 > 0:56:42Yeah, so hopefully you'll see me around.

0:56:43 > 0:56:45Well done, Luke.

0:56:45 > 0:56:48I'm just really pleased. I'm just shaking.

0:56:48 > 0:56:51I think it's nerves and adrenaline and relief.

0:56:51 > 0:56:53I'm very much looking forward to the semifinal now.

0:56:53 > 0:56:55The roller coaster continues.

0:56:55 > 0:56:59- I love it.- Amazing. - Yeah. Really.- I'm really happy.

0:56:59 > 0:57:01Luke has shown us, not only on this project

0:57:01 > 0:57:04but his other projects, that he can think outside the box,

0:57:04 > 0:57:07go beyond people's expectations,

0:57:07 > 0:57:10and come up with something new and innovative.

0:57:10 > 0:57:13I'm aware that what he did for Sara was quite eccentric,

0:57:13 > 0:57:15and not to everyone's taste,

0:57:15 > 0:57:18but it was right for her and she loved it.

0:57:18 > 0:57:20- You're enjoying it, though, yeah? - I love it.

0:57:20 > 0:57:24I am proud of my design. Yes, because I think

0:57:24 > 0:57:26it works with the building,

0:57:26 > 0:57:29which he wanted it to, and I think I've fulfilled the brief completely.

0:57:29 > 0:57:32- I came in and I was blown away. Fantastic.- Really?

0:57:32 > 0:57:34Yeah, no. Really good. It's really, really good.

0:57:34 > 0:57:37Susan has a very distinctive sense of style, but on top

0:57:37 > 0:57:40of that, she was able to adapt to a very different brief and come out

0:57:40 > 0:57:44successfully, and I think she's going to be able to do that again.

0:57:46 > 0:57:50When Keeling House was rescued and reborn in the 1990s,

0:57:50 > 0:57:53its original architect, Denys Lasdun, was invited to come

0:57:53 > 0:57:55and help design a new lobby.

0:57:55 > 0:57:57Though he wasn't happy about his social housing

0:57:57 > 0:58:00falling into private hands, at least the new residents

0:58:00 > 0:58:02have respected Lasdun's architectural ideas.

0:58:02 > 0:58:05It's been exciting to see our designers do the same,

0:58:05 > 0:58:07proving that brutalism is not a spent force.

0:58:07 > 0:58:11It's as relevant and modern today as it was when it was born.

0:58:14 > 0:58:16Next time, it's the semifinal,

0:58:16 > 0:58:20and the designers take on grand Victorian splendour.

0:58:20 > 0:58:22I just worry that it's just going to be dull.

0:58:22 > 0:58:26- I just don't see it working, OK? - There is a lot to do.

0:58:26 > 0:58:28How is he going to get this room finish?

0:58:28 > 0:58:29Hey, that's the gig right?