In one of the vital transferring episodes of Grand Designs this collection, 82-year-old Kathryn took on an bold new chapter: constructing her ceaselessly residence proper subsequent door to the one she’s lived in since she was 24.
With the assistance of her architect son, James, Kathryn is saying goodbye to her beloved household residence of practically six a long time, the place her daughter was born and the place she’s lived most of her life on the identical road, by constructing a self-build proper subsequent door.
“I’ve come to the top of my time right here,” Kathryn stated quietly, reflecting on her resolution. She now struggles with stairs and felt the time had come to create a house the place she might age comfortably and safely.
Constructing a future beside the previous
The brand new residence was constructed subsequent door to Kathryn’s home that she lived in for 58 years(Picture credit score: Channel 4)
To create space for the brand new home, Kathryn’s present storage and extension had been demolished.
What rose of their place is a fantastically crafted, Edwardian-inspired residence that pays homage to its neighbour whereas embracing the very best of sustainable, accessible design.
The house consists of:
The outcome? A sleek, fashionable residence that blends previous and new in a manner that feels each private and sensible.
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“The outside would possibly pay homage to the Edwardians,” stated Kevin, “however the interiors are all fashionable.”
Kevin McCloud was visibly impressed by the element and care all through the construct. “It feels so beneficiant,” he stated of the ethereal dwelling house, calling the towering rooflight above the kitchen, “like wanting up at a church roof.”
The elm utilized in cabinet handles within the new kitchen got here from her late husband’s music room to assist convey some recollections of her late husband into the brand new residence.
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The kitchen handles had been produced from reused elm wooden that used to make up Kathryn’s husbands music room(Picture credit score: Channel 4)
The rooflight above the kitchen was described a being like a “church roof” by Kevin(Picture credit score: Channel 4)
The open plan kitchen was made to make it simpler for Kathryn to get spherical the home simpler(Picture credit score: Channel 4)
Constructed utilizing the ‘financial institution of son’
The mission was forecast to value £607,000, however as is commonly the case with bold builds, the ultimate determine got here in nearer to £800,000–£900,000.
Kathryn’s son contributed £100,000 after she was unable to qualify for a mortgage because of her age.
“Ordinarily, persons are fortunate sufficient to have assist from the financial institution of mum and pop,” Kevin quipped. “You’re utilizing the financial institution of son.”
“I’m solely paying them again,” James stated: “They helped me purchase my home. It’s solely…”
“It’s household,” Kevin completed.
Kathryn even spent £50,000 on putting in useful sewage – a steep value, however one which got here with the peace of thoughts that all the pieces within the residence was future-proofed.
Home looks like ‘a youthful sibling’
A curved wall was added that has an inbuilt gettering system(Picture credit score: Channel 4)
When requested how she sees the brand new home, Kathryn beamed: “I feel it appears to be like like a youthful sibling of the opposite home.”
Whereas it displays the model of her previous Edwardian residence, Kevin famous that this one “feels wider” and “extra beneficiant,” with good space-saving options like an workplace tucked behind an oak display screen beneath the steps.
A hidden curved gutter, cleverly built-in into the roof and wall, is only one of many design particulars that give the house a modern, modern really feel with out dropping allure.
And most significantly, it really works. Kathryn’s power payments have dropped from £343 to £66 a month, due to the high-spec insulation and renewables – a significant saving in each value and carbon.
‘By no means too late to self-build’
The episode demonstrated that it’s by no means too late to self-build regardless of many doubting Kathryn.
Even Kathryn’s daughter Rosaline admitted she was sceptical at first, however after seeing the completed residence she stated: “Hopefully she’s going to get numerous enjoyment out of this home.”
Kevin summed it up finest, “It’s by no means too late to start out a self-build…” however he did additionally jokingly say to Kathryn: “I’ve some dangerous information. As a result of the home is so good, it’s going to imply you reside loads longer – and due to this fact your overheads are going to increase into the longer term!”
