Making your dream home happen

BuildIt
SPECIAL ISSUE FOR
Making your dream home happen
self build + renovation + Extension + Conversion
COVER STORY
Country
living
+
Take a look
round two
super-efficient
bespoke homes
that are filled
with character
and light
001.indd 1
07/02/2014 16:42:26
2
Welcome
F
rom a charming country cottage to an eco-friendly contemporary
dwelling, the self builds in this special edition of Build It are completely
different in terms of aesthetics, but all have something in common – they were
constructed using a timber frame from Potton. The property on the front
cover belongs to the Wisdoms, whose home is packed with traditional-style
character, both inside and out. The mixture of timber frame with Kingspan
insulation and a masonry facade ensures the property blends in well with the
local vernacular and is extremely efficient, too.
Meet Angie Martin on page 13, who has built a contemporary home that’s
been designed with accessibility in mind. The house was created to be
futureproof for Angie and her husband Jon. There is a bedroom and bathroom
on the ground floor, along with a barrier-free open plan kitchen and living area.
Thanks to the rear glazed elevation, the Martins’ property is filled with natural
light and connects with the outside space through bi-fold doors, which open
out to a pretty and well-landscaped garden.
The final home in this special edition belongs to Cliff and Shena Cooper
(page 20). The couple employed Potton to come up with a unique design for a
house that would satisfy their desire to live in a modern dwelling, while
meeting the planners requirements for a low-energy ‘landmark’ development.
Anna-Marie
Anna-marie deSouza, Editor
Light
&grace
readers’ homes 13
20
readers’ homes
Curved
creation
Cliff and Shena Cooper found the perfect
countryside location to build a peaceful
retreat that’s packed with interesting
architectural features
Words sOphie hOyLaNd Photos matt JOhNstON
‘‘
Angie Martin’s positive attitude, sunny disposition and
fantastic organisation skills have helped her to successfully build
a stunning home in the Buckingham countryside
Words AnnA-MArie DeSouzA Photos MAtt johnSton
F
or Shena and Cliff Cooper, what started out as a plan
to refurbish and extend their existing home turned
into a project that eventually saw them build a brand
new house on a separate plot altogether – something
they hadn’t originally considered. “We were going to add on an
extension to create more space and give the home a green overhaul
to make it energy efficient and more economical to run,” says Shena.
“But getting a firm quote was proving virtually impossible. Most
of the contractors who came to size up the project weren’t keen on
what we wanted to do.”
The idea to self build came one January evening in 2009 when by
chance Shena saw a plot for sale in a local newspaper. The site in
Crick, Northamptonshire, came with planning permission to build a
chalet bungalow. “I showed it to Cliff and he telephoned the estate
agent straight away to arrange a viewing,” says Shena.
When the couple arrived to view the site, they weren’t put off by
the overgrown and seemingly narrow market garden plot, and made
an offer to buy it. “We could instantly see the potential and thought
it was a real opportunity to create a new home that was designed to
suit our needs,” says Cliff.
Having already done a lot of research for their extension project,
the couple had a firm idea of what they wanted to build – a
contemporary house with an eco-friendly design that worked with
readers’ homes 21
the COOper fiLe
Names Cliff & shena Cooper
OCCupatiONs semi-retired solicitor
& CeO of the secret seed society
LOCatiON Crick, Northampton
type Of buiLd New build
styLe Contemporary
CONstruCtiON methOd
sips with fibre-glass curved roof
hOuse size 300m² (984ft²)
LaNd COst £160,000
bOuGht 2007
buiLd COst £380,000
COst per m2 £1,266 (£386 per ft²)
buiLdiNG wOrk COmmeNCed
June 2010
buiLdiNG wOrk tOOk 38 weeks
CurreNt vaLue £600,000
H
ome building company Potton
was established in 1964, so is
celebrating 50 years in business.
The firm was one of the first to produce
timber frame house kits, and by the early
70s was at the forefront of modern
timber frame development in the UK. By
the end of the decade Potton had
supplied tens of thousands of homes
providing high-quality, energy efficient
and low-cost properties to councils
such as Peterborough, Telford, Milton
Keynes and Basildon.
Over the last 30 years, Potton has
evolved from simply being a manufacturer
of timber frame kits for residential and
commercial applications, into a business
that offers real solutions to today’s
generation of self builders. The company
offers a full range of support services that
include in-house design, planning and
Building Regulation submissions, code
assessment, project management,
financial and cost consultants, supplier
and subcontractor partners along with an
education centre and the Self Build
Academy (www.selfbuildacademy.co.uk).
The Academy is a learning resource
consisting of five essential courses, each
targeted at different stages of the build
process. Together, the courses will guide
attendees all the way through the journey
of creating their dream home and will
help you to develop the skills required to
successfully complete a project. Each of
the courses will be held at either Potton’s
headquarters at Great Gransden in
Bedfordshire or at the National Self Build
& Renovation Centre in Swindon.
CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: 01767 676400
Web: www.potton.co.uk
We didn’t want to
build anything offthe-self, we wanted
a bespoke home
’’
www.self-build.co.uk
Company profile: Potton
www.self-build.co.uk
The Build It team
EDITORiaL
Editor Anna-Marie DeSouza
Deputy editor
Chris Bates
Assistant editor
Ifeoluwa Adedeji
Art editor David Flint
Contributors
Matt Johnston, Sophie Hoyland
02.indd 2
advertising sales
subscriptions
publishing
Published by Castle Media Ltd
Head office: Castle Media Ltd,
Peasemore House, Newbury,
Berkshire, RG20 7JH
Advertising manager
Nick Gillam 020 3627 3245
Account executive Iyesha CheemaBradshaw 020 3627 3246
Business development
Managing director Calum Taylor
Finance director Katherine Taylor
Marketing director Claire Drakeford
Accounts Emily Blackwell
020 3627 3248
Business development director
Sarah Wilcock 020 3627 3247
Distributed by Seymour
Tel: 01442 820580
Email: [email protected]
Address: Build It, c/o Webscribe,
Old Silk Mill, Tring, HP23 5EF
Tel: 020 3627 3240
Fax: 0872 331 5207
www.self-build.co.uk
All the content in Build It is governed by
copyright and may not be reproduced without
the editor’s written permission. Every effort is
made to feature only reputable companies
and products, but readers should make their
own enquiries. Information published in Build
It is intended to provide general guidance only,
and the publishers do not accept liability for
any loss or damage arising from use of this
information. Opinions made by contributors
are not necessarily those of Build It. Although
Build It welcomes contributed matter,
including unsolicited text and photographs, it
does not guarantee to return material.
07/02/2014 16:48:36
readers’ homes 3
Opportunity
knocks
When the Wisdoms found out about a
potential plot in their local village, they wasted
no time in designing a home that would suit
their needs and please the planners
odel
m
e
l
a
c
s
M a rkf’sthe hou se
o
Words Anna-Marie DeSouza Photos matt johnson
www.self-build.co.uk
03-10.indd 3
07/02/2014 16:36:30
4
readers’ homes
THE WISDOM FILE
Names Mark & Jenny Wisdom
Occupations IT consultant
& housewife/company secretary
Location North Hertfordshire
Type of build New build
STYLE Traditional
construction method
Timber frame
Plot size 0.4 acres
House size 340m² (3,660ft²)
Land cost £350,000
BOUGHT 2007
Build cost £340,000
Total cost £690,000
cost per m2 £1,000 per m²
(£93 per ft²)
vat reclaim £18,000
building work commenced
May 2008
building work TOOK 60 weeks
Current value £850,000
The sunroom links the
main home to the
garage and cinema
room. This part of the
house is fitted with
black weatherboard,
which is a popular
vernacular feature
03-10.indd 4
07/02/2014 16:36:57
I
readers’ homes 5
t’s not often that a front door will dictate the final design of a
property, but that was the case for Mark and Jenny Wisdom.
“We were at a event at the National Self Build & Renovation
Centre and spotted the most beautiful solid oak door with cast
iron studs. It was a showpiece for the weekend and not for sale,” says
Mark. “But we insisted, bought it and had it delivered. This was six
months before we broke ground. The plans we had submitted had to
be changed to accommodate the door dimensions.”
Before deciding to self build, the Wisdoms had been looking to
move house for quite some time, but they hadn’t seen anything
suitable for themselves and their two young daughters. So when they
heard about a plot close to where they lived – in a picturesque
Hertfordshire village – they grasped the opportunity to create their
own home with both hands. “A farmer owns this site and had
divided it up into a number of potential plots. He was in the middle
of building a few houses, which he planned to put up for rent. This
was the last plot available on the site, so we approached him and
negotiated a deal,” says Mark.
The land came with detailed planning permission for a house, and
while the approved design was attractive, it didn’t suit the Wisdoms’
requirements. Little did they know that the minor changes they
wanted to make would set in motion a year-long planning struggle.
“The plot is on the edge of a conservation area and also on the village
boundary, so we had extremely tight lines to work within,” says
Mark. “Apparently, the permission had been granted at appeal, and
www.self-build.co.uk
03-10.indd 5
07/02/2014 16:37:24
6
readers’ homes
The kitchen is Jenny’s
pride and joy. She got
the design idea from a
magazine and took the
picture to Parlour
Farm, who recreated
the look and fitted the
units. Another of her
favourite features is
the bi-fold doors, which
lead out from the
dining area to the
spacious patio
the planners weren’t happy about it. So, I think they were filled with
dread when we then approached them for amendments. In the end
we worked concurrently with the council and our housebuilder,
Potton, to come up with something that we were all happy with.”
Design detail
When looking for a potential home to buy, Mark and Jenny went to
view a local Potton-designed property that was up for sale. Shortly
afterwards they visited the company’s show centre in Cambridge –
picking out features from the ‘Rectory’ design that they were keen to
include in their own home.
“We worked with the in-house design team to come up with
something that included elements of the Rectory that we liked as
well as my own design and layout ideas,” says Mark. “It is a large
property and planning regulations dictated that it should look like a
much smaller home, which had been extended over many
generations, hence the changes in roof height. This is one of the first
bespoke builds that the company did.”
“We really felt we had our work cut out to get the amendments
approved,” adds Jenny. “Potton were so patient with us; in the end
they had to do five different sets of drawings until we got something
that everyone was content with.”
03-10.indd 6
07/02/2014 16:37:51
readers’ homes 7
The detailed consent stated that the house had to be clad with
black weatherboard, but the Wisdoms wanted to use brick. “Because
of all the structural and aesthetic changes, I felt the best way to get
across our plans to the council and conservation officers was to build
a model,” says Mark. “I constructed a plastic 1:50 scale replica of the
house straight off the plans. I used thin perspex for glass and
modelling wood sheets and dowels for garage doors and oak beams.
I scored black plastic sheets evenly to create a realistic weatherboard effect. The brickwork, roof tiles and slate patio all came from a
local miniature dolls-house supply company. We have kept the
model; I didn’t have the heart to throw it away.”
Breaking ground
With the design and planning issues out of the way, the Wisdoms
turned their attention to finding the right people to help them with
construction. “Potton gave us a folder that listed all their
recommended tradespeople and we went to the most local one to us
– Timber Construction,” says Mark. “They said we have two options:
they could either project manage the whole thing for us, or they
could do the groundworks and give us a list of subbies to deal with
direct, which is what we did.”
They completed the groundworks and foundations before the
Potton team arrived to erect the timber frame. “That was quite
something – the timber sections came on a huge lorry and there was
a gigantic crane on site, too,” says Jenny. “You could see it from our
old house. It took about a week for it to go up. It was really quick.”
From that point on, the Wisdoms took over the management and
organised the rest of the trades. It was summer and the couple
decided to leave the house for four weeks to allow the ground to
settle before any other structural work was done. “It was the wettest
July in history,” says Mark. “I was walking around the house with a
large drill putting holes in all the floors just to let the water come
through. Luckily the roofer was able to come and put the lining and
batons on so the structure was more protected – he also brought
forward his schedule to do the rest of the roof shortly afterwards,
which we were really grateful for.”
www.self-build.co.uk
03-10.indd 7
07/02/2014 16:38:25
8
readers’ homes
The roof is covered with a clay tile mix on the main elevation and
slates on the other aspects, which further adds to the appearance
that the property has grown organically over time. The council was
very strict with regards to the brick the Wisdoms could use, and
insisted they incorporate the same mix as other properties on the
site. “The weather struck us with more bad luck. Trevor (from Pryor
Construction) had just started to lay the masonry and it started to
snow,” says Mark. “The weather was awful, it was 5th October 2008 –
it was unbelievable and a real low point.”
Overall efficiency
The house is well-insulated using Kingspan rigid boards (which were
pre-fitted to the frame) and boasts a number of additional features
that boosts its efficiency. A ground source heat pump (GSHP) is
linked to underfloor heating (UFH) downstairs and radiators on the
first floor. It also benefits from a Villavent air-circulation system.
“We were going to purchase the pump from a different company
to the underfloor heating, which we were getting from Nu-Heat,”
says Mark. “This arrangement worried me in that if something went
wrong the GSHP people would blame the UFH installers and visa
versa. Then, as luck would have it, about a month before we put in our
order, Nu-Heat bought the other company. All of a sudden our
worries were taken away.
“We have two layers of horizontal collector loops for the pump.
The installers excavated the ground to the size of an Olympic
swimming pool. They went down about 10ft for the first layer, filled
in half the depth and then did the second layer. Nu-Heat were
extremely helpful and guided our installer throughout the process.
Our plumber attended one of their training courses, so was well
informed on how to fit the equipment.”
The couple also have a rainwater harvesting system that provides
water for flushing the WCs, services the outside tap and feeds to one
washing machine in the utility room. “It’s an efficient arrangement
and provides us with more than enough water for our requirements,”
says Jenny. “We have linked it up to a pop-up golf-course-like lawn
sprinkler system, too.”
The Wisdoms were really keen to install solar photovoltaic (PV)
tiles on the roof for electricity – hoping this would make the house
almost self sufficient. “Unfortunately the government cancelled the
Blue Skies grants just before we ordered, removing the 50% subsidy
and replacing it with a £1,500 max contribution,” says Mark. “This
meant a return on investment for us would be pushed back to 40
years and, with a warranty of only 20, it just didn’t stack-up. If we
were building the house now in 2013 we would have definitely
invested in PV. The government support models – through the FeedIn Tariff – are much better and the panels are more affordable, too.”
Favourite finishes
As you enter the house you’re welcomed by a spacious hallway with
a large living room ahead, the children’s playroom to the right and a
formal dining area to the left. Next to this is the large kitchen/diner
and utility. A glazed sunroom links this part of the house to the
garage, which has a study and cinema room above. Upstairs in the
main house are four double bedrooms and a master with ensuite, as
well as a large family bathroom.
“The kitchen is my dream room. I had seen a picture in a magazine
and immediately fell in love with the style and layout,” says Jenny.
“We took the picture to Parlour Farm and they did the drawings for
us straight away – their first attempt was basically perfect. They
looked after the kitchen and utility for us and had their own team
who came and fitted it. They couldn’t have been more helpful – it
was the easiest part of the project.”
03-10.indd 8
07/02/2014 16:38:48
readers’ homes 9
Mark drew up a detailed plan for all the electrics
and cabling required for the cinema room, and
knew where every fitting and socket needed to
go before first fix stage
we learned...
if you buY a plot with DPP that
doesn’t suit your requirements, get
creative with the interiors. We were able to
adapt the layout to include exactly what
we wanted. Using a selection of CAD
software packages, we re-aligned
partition walls, the chimney stack and
room layouts to get the maximum benefit
from the design
attention to detail is essential. I
drew up a 35 page tender document that
was sent out to potential building
companies. This detail continued
throughout the build, especially for the
electricians. To ensure they followed our
master plan of what was to be installed
and where, we supplied them with a ringbinder with six pages of A4 (covering the
walls, ceiling and floor) for every room in
the whole house
make your home easy to maintain.
The original plans had the soffits / fasciaboards as overhanging wooden box
constructions. This worried us on two
grounds – first they would be inaccessible
with anything other than a cherry-picker,
so any repairwork would be expensive.
Secondly, the strong easterly wind could
rip the edge tiles away. So we changed
these to have a brick parapet with stone
capping, leaving them secure and
maintenance-free for a lifetime
Both the kitchen and living room, which are at the back of the
house, have a run of bi-fold doors so the spaces can be opened up to
the garden in the summer. “The glazed units are from Kloeber and
are just fantastic pieces of joinery – we have recommended
them to friends,” says Mark. “I saw the doors delivered in the
morning and by the time I got home they were in, fitted perfectly
and sealed. Kloeber offers a huge choice of frame colour options and
we selected a Pantone number to match the windows. These details
make all the difference.”
As well as spending a lot of time in the main living area, the family
congregates regularly in the cinema room for movie nights. Mark
worked with the electricians to install all the cabling and audio visual
(AV) equipment required to make this a state-of-the-art zone. “As
the main structural build offered no potential for us to be involved, I
wanted to do as much as possible to the interiors,” says Mark. “The
electric scheme throughout the house works so well because of all
the forward planning we did. Before the first fix had even started we
had worked out where every single piece of furniture was likely to
go; and how the house would be used. We took this as our starting
point to decide where lights/power sockets/AV/telecom points
should go. By paring this arrangement back layer by layer, we ended
up with a comprehensive electrical and plumbing layout, including
lawn irrigation pipework and external power supply conduits.”
The Wisdoms are enjoying life in their new home and take great
pride in the comfortable, attractive space they have created. “From
outside the house really does look like it has been here a long time,”
says Mark. “Some people from the village have commented on how
well it blends into the surroundings, and that’s a huge complement
for us to know we have done this to such a high quality finish.”
www.self-build.co.uk
03-10.indd 9
07/02/2014 16:39:15
10
readers’ homes
closer look
Design elements of this house...
To achieve a clutter free and tidy home, the Wisdoms have made the
most of their space by using fitted storage throughout. “You can claim
the VAT back on fitted wardrobes in new builds,” says Mark. “You
can’t do this with free-standing units bought after you move in.” In
Bu ilt in st o ra g
addition to the bedroom storage, the utility has a creative boot
e
stand over the dogs’ bed. In the living room are attractive alcove
cabinets and bookshelves on either side of the chimney breast. The living
room storage was sourced from Jali, which specialises in bespoke flat pack furniture, so the
Wisdoms were able to measure their exact requirements and install the furniture themselves.
Total build cost breakdown
Floor plans
Elements
Ground floor
Cost m2 Cost %
Total cost
Preliminaries
£6
<1%£2,000
GSHP loop / boiler
£32
3%
Foundations
£11812% £40,000
Timber frame £279
28%
£95,000
Windows & doors
£73
7%
£25,000
Roofing
£293% £10,000
External walls
£44
4%
£15,000
Internal walls & doors
£44
4%
£15,000
Floor, wall & ceilings
£29
3%
£10,000
Joinery and fittings
£35
3%
£12,000
Kitchen
£11812% £40,000
Kitchen appliances
£21
2%
£7,000
Plumbing & heating
£44
4%
£15,000
Electrics (incl AV equipment)
£73
7%
£25,000
Decorating
£9
<1%£3,000
External works
£44
4%
£11,000
£15,000
First floor
Grand total
£340,000
House plans re-created using ARCON 3D Home Design
Software. www.3darchitect.co.uk
Tel: 01252 267788 Email: [email protected]
Useful contacts
Housebuilder/Timber frame Potton 01767 676400 www.potton.co.uk
Structural Engineers JKA Development Consultants 01763 847221
www.jkadevcons.co.uk Brickwork & Foundations Pryor Construction
07712 051928 www.pryor.co.uk Roofing Manor Roofing 01462 743150
window cills Albury Lodge 01992 620107 www.alburylodge.co.uk
GSHP & UFH Nu-Heat 0800 731 1976 www.nu-heat.co.uk Bi-fold doors
Kloeber 01487 740044 www.kloeber.co.uk Rainwater Harvesting
system FreeRain 01636 614713 www.freerain.co.uk Sewerage pump/
tank Klargester www.klargester.com Kitchen Parlour Farm 01285 885336
www.parlourfarm.com Kitchen appliances Appliance City 01159 651
03-10.indd 10
937 www.appliancecity.co.uk Sanitaryware Bathstore www.bathstore.co.uk
Travetine / Marble flooring Stonell 01372 860860 www.stonell.com
Electrical Fittings Marcus Heritage 01384 457 900 www.hbelectric.
co.uk Lighting Jim Lawrence 01473 826685 www.jim-lawrence.co.uk
General goods/Builder’s Merchants Jewsons www.jewson.co.uk
Screwfix www.screwfix.co.uk Staircase David Smith 01480 309900 www.
davidjsmith.co.uk Cinema AV system IntoAV 01438 311625 www.intoav.
com Fitted furniture Jali 01227 833333 www.jali.co.uk Woodburner
Woodburner Warehouse 01437 764848 www.woodburnerwarehouse.co.uk
Air Circulation system Villavent www.villavent.co.uk
07/02/2014 16:39:44
The Self Build Academy
helping people create
their dream self build…
Gain from a wealth of experience and knowledge
by attending the new Self Build Academy
Potton has partnered with Build It to offer a series of
courses to help guide self builders through the exciting
journey of building their own home. Sessions cover all build
systems and offer impartial and practical advice.
Courses include
An Introduction To Self Build
Making the Most of Your Plot
How to Start Your Build
How to Plan, Manage & Control Your Build
How to Successfully Complete Your Build
For more information and to book visit
www.selfbuildacademy.co.uk
or call 01767 676400
11.indd 1
07/02/2014 16:35:23
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07/02/2014 16:34:24
Light
&grace
readers’ homes 13
Angie Martin’s positive attitude, sunny disposition and
fantastic organisation skills have helped her to successfully build
a stunning home in the Buckingham countryside
Words Anna-Marie DeSouza Photos matt johnston
www.self-build.co.uk
13-19.indd 13
07/02/2014 16:29:31
14
readers’ homes
T
THE MARTIN FILE
Names Jon & Angela Martin
Occupations Warranty
administrator & teacher
Location North Marston
Type of build Self build
STYLE Contemporary
construction method
Timber frame
Plot size 34m x 20m
House size 140m² (1,506 ft²)
Land cost Already owned
BOUGHT 2007
Build cost £209,850
cost per m2 £1499 (£139 per ft²)
vat reclaim £7,500
building work commenced
October 2007
building work TOOK 15 weeks
Current value Approx £350,000
‘‘
Below: From the
front, the structure
of the Martins’ timber
frame home is hidden
behind a brick skin,
white render and
slate roof tiles
here’s inspiration to be gained from all self build projects,
but Angie Martin’s story is even more inspiring than most.
Not only did she project manage the scheme (her first) but
she did it whilst recovering from a terrible car accident.
What’s more, she was also caring for her husband who had extensive
injuries from the crash, taking the whole process in her stride and
garnering well deserved pride from her achievements.
Angie and her husband Jon had lived in a fairly large period home
in Buckingham for over 25 years. The house had a lot of land at the
back, which was advertised as a potential building plot when they
bought it, but which they decided to use as a family garden until
their children had left home. “It had always been a dream of mine to
build my own home, and I knew that the garden would be an
excellent spot,” says Angie. “However, it really was just my personal
dream as Jon found the prospect too daunting.”
But in 2001, after years of hinting that she’d like to utilise the plot,
Angie finally got her way and started planning the project. “This was a
lengthy process that took over five years,” she says. “We had been
working with a local designer for a long while. It wasn’t working so
instead we enlisted the skills of a friend of the family, architect Stephen
Jones, which resulted in us getting outline consent.
“It was then that I thought of Potton to help us get detailed
planning permission. I’d dragged Jon to their show centre near
I’m so glad that I got involved and did the project
management. I ‘m really happy with how it all
turned out and that I had a lot to do with it
13-19.indd 14
’’
07/02/2014 16:29:50
“Before I even knew what I wanted the house to
look like, I knew I wanted a valuted ceiling,” says
Angie. “We spend most of our time in the open
plan kitchen and living room. The windows are a
wonderful feature, and it’s a warm, cosy space.”
www.self-build.co.uk
13-19.indd 15
07/02/2014 16:30:19
16
13-19.indd 16
readers’ homes
07/02/2014 16:31:18
readers’ homes 17
Cambridge some years ago, and we both loved their house designs.
So when I saw them at a show, I knew I wanted to work with them.
They came to see the site and drew up a plan for us that took all our
requests in to account and fitted into the plot perfectly. Soon after,
we were granted permission to build.”
But in a cruel twist of fate, this was the point when the accident
happened. “I had a few injuries and Jon was very badly hurt and had
to have his leg amputated,” says Angie. “This made us reassess the
house plans, as we needed to make provision for Jon’s disability –
having a bedroom and bathroom downstairs, for example. After the
accident Potton amended the plans for us. My husband was still
recovering so it was up to me to make the big decisions about how to
adapt the house to suit his mobility issues. There were some
elements that I still really wanted to include, such as a vaulted ceiling
and bi-fold doors opening out onto the garden, which Potton’s
designers took into account. The house is based on their Heritage
Cottage design, but we’ve put a modern twist on it.”
As it stood, the garden for the new house was going to be very
small and it would have meant pulling down the sheds at the back,
but Jon had other ideas. “He is the mildest, most wonderful of men,
so when he put his foot down and said he’s not getting rid of his shed,
I knew he meant it,” says Angie. “My only alternative was to turn the
plot into an L-shaped one, which would take in the length of the
shed and also give us a little area for some raised beds to grow
vegetables. But garden space aside, it was still a very narrow plot.”
The build begins
Angie and Jon continued to live in their old house next door
throughout the duration of the project. “I did most of the project
management myself as Jon wasn’t up to it. It was the first time I’d
ever taken on something like this, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. As I’m
a teacher I loved being able to give the orders – but in a nice way,”
we learned...
don’t be scared to take on the project
management yourself. It may seem like a
daunting task, but if you are organised and
keep lists of everything, then you shouldn’t
have a problem. I am so glad that I did this
part of the project, it really makes me
appreciate the home now it’s finished.
However, you must have the confidence in
yourself to do this as if things go wrong,
the buck stops with you
if you are going with a package
company, don’t be afraid to ask them to
change their designs and specifications to
suit you. Potton completely reworked the
Heritage Cottage style home for us – they
gave it an almost contemporary finish at
the back and throughout the interiors. We
also wanted a completely different
staircase and balustrades and they were
able to change this for us, too
The zones in the open
plan space are
defined by the
flooring. There’s
bamboo in the living
room and tiles in the
kitchen diner
make sure you get recommendations
from friends and family with regards to
specific products and not just tradesmen.
We have bamboo flooring throughout
the groundfloor. I wanted to use this and
it’s eco friendly and attractive, however,
after it was laid, large gaps between the
planks appeared. Apparently this is
perfectly normal and they just need to be
re-leveled, but this is not easy for us to do,
and we wouldn’t have chosen this material
had we known
www.self-build.co.uk
13-19.indd 17
07/02/2014 16:32:26
18
readers’ homes
says Angie. “Apart from Potton, who erected the timber frame, I
used mostly local builders. They were all so lovely and kept checking
up on me throughout to make sure I was OK. I would encourage
anybody to take on a self build and do the project management
themselves. It gives you so much pleasure, you learn so much. I don’t
think it’s hard to stay on top of if you are organised. You just need to
keep lists and schedules.
“The groundworks were completed by a local company, run by
Andrew North, who overcame several problems that occurred
during the initial stages, but which all turned out well in the end.”
Soon afterwards, Potton arrived on site to erect the timber frame
onto the block and beam foundations. It took them roughly a week
to get the structure up, and everything flowed easily from there.
“The day the frame came was monumental for me, they got so far
up and then needed to use a huge crane to put the roof in place,”
says Angie. “I don’t think there had ever been such a big crane in
this little village, so lots of people were looking outside and
wondering what was happening.
“We went for the maximum level of insulation because of the large
glazed windows to the rear of the property. If I could have afforded
it, I would have gone for triple glazing, but we were running out of
money as neither of us were working at the time due to the accident.”
The floor standing
cabinets in the living
room were purchased
from Ikea, but given a
bespoke finish when
they were topped with
a large solid oak plank
A happy home
Once the structural works were complete, Angie turned her
attention to the interiors. “Jon was in a wheelchair so I was aware we
needed to make everything accessible. I thought that the doorways
would need to be widened, but what I hadn’t realised was that this is
all taken into account in the Building Regulations,” she says.
The couple spend most of their time in the open plan kitchen and
living area, which is flooded with light thanks to the double-height
widows, Velux roof lights and sunpipes. “The windows up to the
vaulted ceiling are such a spectacular feature, I’m so glad we have
them,” says Angie. “Even though this is a fairly dark plot in
comparison to our old house, we have managed to get a lot of light
in. The sunpipes really help with that, too. We have two upstairs and
one in the kitchen – they are such a clever product. We’ve named the
house Sunbeam because of the light we managed to get in and
because of Jon’s love of Sunbeam motorbikes.”
The kitchen is attractive yet very practical, with floor-to-ceiling
cream units, built in ovens, a dark glossy work surface and wooden
breakfast bar to the left. The exposed beam to the right of the units
adds even more character, and gives the space a homely finish. “I
spent a lot of time thinking about the layout of the kitchen. I had
everything sketched out on a piece of graph paper and kept moving
little cut-out squares around so I could see where I wanted the units,”
says Angie. “I shopped around to find things that suited my style and
budget. I got high street kitchen cabinets and changed the handles to
give them a more high-end look. I like to mix and match things. For
example, I got budget units for the sideboard in the living room from
Ikea and topped it with a solid wood plank, and it looks great.”
13-19.indd 18
07/02/2014 16:33:01
readers’ homes 19
The only element in the kitchen that Angie had an issue with
was the tiled floor. “The gentleman who did the tiling in the hall
and kitchen let us down a bit, he was not working in a straight line!
I pointed it out to him and he blamed it on the walls being crooked,”
says Angie. “Well, I knew that the walls were precise, but regardless,
he should have been tiling from the middle of the room outwards,
not from the edge inwards! We ended up having to dig up the
tiles ourselves and a good friend of ours helped us to relay them –
they’re fine now.”
In addition to the stunning windows, the main focal point in the
living room is the woodburner from J & A Stoves. “This is another
thing that Jon insisted on. I would have been quite happy with an
electric wall heater of some sort, but he was adamant that we should
have a woodburner,” says Angie. “And I’m so glad we have it now! It’s
a very attractive feature and keeps this room lovely and cosy over the
winter – we use it quite often.”
In addition to the stove, the couple specified underfloor heating
paired with an oil fired boiler – as there’s no mains gas in the village.
“We had never had UFH before and it took us a while to get used to
running it. I do really like the even heat it gives, but a down side is
that when it comes to spring, and you have the odd day when you’d
like some heating but it’s not efficient to switch on. The low grade
warmth would take ages to take effect,” says Angie.
The roof of the garage, to the right of the
property (which actually used to belong to their
old house), boasts a large solar PV array. This
was added onto the building after the main
project had finished
Now that it’s finished, Angie is over the moon with their new
home. “I’m so glad that I got involved and took on the project
management. I am so happy with how everything has turned out,
and that I had so much to do with that,” she says. “Jon is back to his
old self now and I’m delighted to say he likes the new house just as
much as I do. It’s so comfortable and easy to live in, we love it.”
Total build cost breakdown
Floor plans
Elements
Cost m2 Cost %
Preliminaries
£705% £9,830
Foundations
£20013% £28,000
Timber frame, doors & windows £463
Ground floor
Total cost
31%
£64,770
Brickwork
£1037% £14,480
Roof structure and covering
£61
4%
£8,550
Internal walls
£106
7%
£14,850
Floor, wall & ceiling finishes
£63
4%
£8,840
Joinery and fittings
£134
9%
£18,820
Plumbing & heating
£221
14%
£31,000
Electrics & lighting
£42
3%
£5,850
Misc
£352% £4,850
First floor
Grand total
£209,850
House plans re-created using ARCON 3D Home Design
Software. www.3darchitect.co.uk
Tel: 01252 267788 Email: [email protected]
Useful contacts
timber frame kit house suppliers/planners and designers
Potton www.potton.co.uk construction A J North Construction 01296
670870 bricklaying contractors CY Builders Ltd 01525 242040
PLUMBING AND HEATING Gates Plumbing and Heating Ltd 01296 670445
ROOFING Advance Roofing Supplies Ltd 01296 423316 sunpipes
Monodraught 01494 897700 kitchens Homebase www.homebase.
co.uk bathrooms/toilets/showers Bathstore www.bathstore.com
building suppliers Buildbase www.buildbase.co.uk bi-fold doors
Bergson and Eaton Ltd 01296 415251 woodburner J & A Stoves www.
jandastoves.co.uk kitchen installer and cabinet maker Robert
Dancer 01525 240867 SSCAFFOLDING Corkett Scaffolding www.
corkettscaffold.co.uk
www.self-build.co.uk
13-19.indd 19
07/02/2014 16:33:26
20
readers’ homes
Curved
creation
Cliff and Shena Cooper found the perfect
countryside location to build a peaceful
retreat that’s packed with interesting
architectural features
Words sophie hoyland Photos matt johnston
‘‘
20-27.indd 20
We didn’t want to
build anything offthe-self, we wanted
a bespoke home
’’
07/02/2014 16:24:04
F
or Shena and Cliff Cooper, what started out as a plan
to refurbish and extend their existing home turned
into a project that eventually saw them build a brand
new house on a separate plot altogether – something
they hadn’t originally considered. “We were going to add on an
extension to create more space and give the home a green overhaul
to make it energy efficient and more economical to run,” says Shena.
“But getting a firm quote was proving virtually impossible. Most
of the contractors who came to size up the project weren’t keen on
what we wanted to do.”
The idea to self build came one January evening in 2009 when by
chance Shena saw a plot for sale in a local newspaper. The site in
Crick, Northamptonshire, came with planning permission to build a
chalet bungalow. “I showed it to Cliff and he telephoned the estate
agent straight away to arrange a viewing,” says Shena.
When the couple arrived to view the site, they weren’t put off by
the overgrown and seemingly narrow market garden plot, and made
an offer to buy it. “We could instantly see the potential and thought
it was a real opportunity to create a new home that was designed to
suit our needs,” says Cliff.
Having already done a lot of research for their extension project,
the couple had a firm idea of what they wanted to build – a
contemporary house with an eco-friendly design that worked with
readers’ homes 21
THE COOPER FILE
Names Cliff & Shena Cooper
Occupations Semi-retired solicitor
& CEO of The Secret Seed Society
Location Crick, Northampton
Type of build New build
STYLE Contemporary
construction method
SIPs with fibre-glass curved roof
House size 300m² (984ft²)
Land cost £160,000
BOUGHT 2007
Build cost £380,000
cost per m2 £1,266 (£386 per ft²)
building work commenced
June 2010
building work TOOK 38 weeks
Current value £600,000
www.self-build.co.uk
20-27.indd 21
07/02/2014 16:24:36
22
readers’ homes
The open-plan
kitchen provides a
sociable space,
while the large
expanse of glazing
makes the zone light,
airy and inviting
20-27.indd 22
07/02/2014 16:25:07
readers’ homes 23
we learned...
tO ENSURE you end up with the
house that you want, you need to stick to
your vision. It would have been so easy
to give in to the various contractors who
wanted to change things because they
thought it looked better, or more often
because it was easier for them to do. But
if we hadn’t remained firm we wouldn’t
have got the finish that we had desired,
specified and paid for.
OUR extension ideas meant we started
planning what we wanted to include in
our house before we even found a plot –
such as an internal vacuum system and
low-maintenance blinds that are fitted
inside the glass of the folding sliding
doors. We visited exhibitions at the NEC
in Birmingham, called in literature from
suppliers and interiors companies and
read property magazines. This part of the
project takes such a long time, it’s better to
do in advance, so you’re not overwhelmed
when you need to plan the property and
are bombarded with questions about what
you want from your designer
WE WANTED to make the house
as eco-friendly as possible and had
considered installing a green roof. That
was until we realised how much work was
required to maintain it. It needed watering
in dry weather and weeding every six
months, and we didn’t fancy the idea of
going up a ladder twice a year at our age.
We had to do a lot of research to ensure
we chose the right materials for the project
To connect the interior
zones, the Coopers
specified wooden
kitchen worktops that
match their existing
dining table and chairs
WHEN we put in the offer to buy the plot,
we discovered there was no mains water
or electricity connected. We stalled the
purchase until we could get it in writing
that the utilities could be extended to our
site. We needed to ensure that we could
get the services sorted otherwise the plot
would have been worthless, but we didn’t
want them to actually do the work until
we knew what the design of the house
would be. Unfortunately the utility company
couldn’t get its head round the fact that it
wouldn’t be doing the work straightaway.
Finally the company saw sense and
agreed in writing to do the work at a later
date. It just took a lot of patience and
perseverance our end!
the plot to maximise the plentiful natural light and beautiful
surroundings. It also had to match the roof-line of the house next
door. “We wanted space for a big storeroom, two studies, a large
master bedroom and a good-sized guest suite,” says Cliff. “We also
wanted a downstairs shower space and two rooms that could be
converted into bedrooms if the time ever came whereby we couldn’t
use the stairs anymore.”
The couple began sifting through brochures that they had
picked up at exhibitions and spoke to a couple of timber-frame
design companies, including Potton. “We were unsure at first
because we didn’t want to build anything off-the-shelf, we wanted
a bespoke home,” says Shena. “But when we spoke to one of Potton’s
www.self-build.co.uk
20-27.indd 23
07/02/2014 16:25:59
24
readers’ homes
designers, Stephen Wright, he assured us that they could plan and
build anything that we wanted. So after an initial meeting we
decided to go with them.”
Before they went any further, the Coopers visited the local
planning office and were pleased with the planner’s reaction when
they discussed their initial ideas. “He told us that he knew the plot
well and that it could take a landmark building,” says Cliff. With that
in mind, they went back to Stephen to come up with a contemporary
design, which took five months to perfect. “He was great and came
up with so many different versions for us. He was open to our ideas
and suggestions,” says Cliff.
Design and details
Stephen drew up a set of plans for a thermally efficient property using
SIPs (structurally insulated panels). Internally he went with an openplan kitchen, dining and living room layout with a vaulted ceiling
above. Upstairs is a master bedroom and guest room, both ensuite,
and an open-plan galleried space used for Cliff’s home office.
However, not everything in the design stage was as
straightforward. “We spent a long time getting the roof design right,”
says Cliff. “We knew that we wanted a two-storey house, but were
struggling to come up with a way to have one whilst still sticking to
the ridge line of the single storey properties along the road. In the
end I showed it to one of our architect friends who suggested we
used a fibreglass curved roof at the back of the property to gain the
20-27.indd 24
07/02/2014 16:26:40
readers’ homes 25
Sliding internal doors
mean the Coopers
can close off or open
up their downstairs
living areas
The couple have
made the most of all
the space available
and have used the
upstairs landing for a
home office
www.self-build.co.uk
20-27.indd 25
07/02/2014 16:27:25
26
readers’ homes
Above: The original house plans had the staircase
in the hallway, but the Coopers moved it into the
open plan living area, making the hallway smaller
and the living zone much bigger. Right: With the
aim of making the property a ‘lifetime home’ for
when they’re less able, the couple have invested in
a downstairs wetroom
height, and a pitched roof at the front to be more in keeping with the
neighbouring dwellings.”
Just before the Coopers submitted their final drawings, they
arranged another meeting with the planners. “We were worried about
what they would say about the roof, but they loved it and thought it
was very in keeping with the local area as there are lots of Dutch barns
in Crick, which are renowned for their curved roofs,” says Cliff.
Surprisingly, they weren’t keen on the Cooper’s choice of rendering.
“We assumed they wouldn’t want us to use wood cladding because it
contradicts what’s in the Crick design statement, but the planners said
we should,” says Cliff. The Coopers went back to Stephen to alter the
plans to include Siberian Larch timber cladding and sent the drawings
off and consent was granted in February 2010.
Work begins
By the time construction began in June 2010, Shena and Cliff had
sourced most of their materials. They had also found a project
manager, Phil Godden, who was a friend of Cliff. Phil sub-contracted
the work out to tradesmen that he had worked with before and made
sure the right people were on site at the right time. “He was key to
20-27.indd 26
making the project run smoothly,” says Cliff. “He had the experience
to know who was needed where and when, and he had a huge
contacts book, so if he ever needed to call on people at the last
moment he could to avoid delays to the schedule.”
After the concrete slab and 2.8m deep foundations were
completed – a depth enforced by Building Regulations and NHBC
upon inspection – Potton’s workforce arrived on site to erect the
SIPs frame. The build was running to schedule until wet and windy
weather conditions set in, causing a delay in the roof being finished.
“It was like a swimming pool inside at one point,” says Shena. “I
couldn’t see how the house was ever going to dry out enough to be
able to plaster the walls.” Thankfully it did, and in freezing December
weather, the fibreglass roof was installed and the house was made
watertight, allowing the build to continue smoothly.
Efficiency first
From conception, Cliff and Shena knew they wanted their house to
be low maintenance and economical to run. “This is our lifetime
home so we wanted to make sure it was eco friendly. It is really well
insulated and we have specified a number of energy-saving systems
07/02/2014 16:28:00
readers’ homes 27
to ensure that the house stays efficient,” says Cliff. The couple
researched numerous renewable heating systems, including an airsource heat pump (ASHP), and they visited the Nibe installation and
training facility in Derby to see the technology in action. “The
planners were concerned about the noise of the heat pump and the
effect it would have on our next-door neighbour, but when we saw it
being used it was almost silent,” says Cliff. The couple took the
recorded decibel level back to the planners who were happy with the
results and allowed installation.
In addition to the ASHP, the Coopers have a mechanical heatrecovery system that provides fresh air and improved climate
control, plus solar thermal panels for hot water and base warmth for
the recovery system. The house is well insulated, with 125mm of
insulation laid beneath the underfloor heating pipework and
double-glazed argon-filled glass used for all the windows and doors.
The finished look
Stepping inside the house, you enter a hallway with a storeroom
and utility on your right, and Shena’s study and a wetroom on your
left. Straight ahead are sliding doors that lead through to the
open-plan kitchen, dining and living area with a huge expanse
of floor-to-ceiling windows that take advantage of the stunning
scenic views and creates a bright, spacious feel inside. Above
the kitchen is a vaulted ceiling, letting in bags of natural light.
The living zone has folding sliding doors that open out onto a
glass-balustraded veranda, which extends the living space during
the summer months.
Walk up the stairs, and the galleried landing has been used as
an office space for Cliff. The main bedroom has a balcony area
where the couple enjoy breakfast in warm weather. The second
bedroom has been kitted out with Velux’s Cabrio balcony system
to open up the space.
Cliff and Shena are pleased with what they have achieved in their
new home and have no plans to build again. “We are always asked
whether we would do it all again and our answer is no. We’ve created
the house of our dreams and have everything we’d ever want or need
for the future,” says Cliff. “We love the finish and we’re so relieved
that the build went so well.”
Total build cost breakdown
Floor plans
Elements
Ground floor
Cost m2 Cost %
Total cost
Preliminaries
£8 6%£24,000
Foundations
£877% £26,000
External & int walls & windows £373
29%
£112,000
Roof structure & covering
Floor, wall & ceiling finishes £60
£70 5%
6%
£18,000
£21,000
Joinery & fittings £117 9%
£35,000
(incls bathroom & kitchen) £223
18%
£67,000
Electrics £60
5%
£18,000
Decorating £73
6%
£22,000
Fees (incl. project manager) £83
7%
£25,000
External Works £40
3%
£12,000
Plumbing & Heating
First floor
Grand total
£380,000
Useful contacts
House plans re-created using ARCON 3D Home Design
Software. www.3darchitect.co.uk
Tel: 01252 267788 Email: [email protected]
PROJECT MANAGER Phil Godden 01788 576237 SIP FRAME Potton www.
potton.co.uk 01767 676400 WINDOWS & DOORS Franklin Windows www.
franklinwindows.co.uk 0113 250 2991HEATING Solo Heating Installations
www.soloheatinginstallations.co.uk 01474 822701STAIRCASE Stairplan www.
stairplan.com 01952 608853 CURVED ROOF CLADDING I-tec Flatroofing
www.i-tecflatroofing.co.uk 01205 366377 KITCHEN ABK Kitchens www.
abkkitchens.co.uk 01332 204064 TILING Adrian Morriss 07725 860943
ELECTRICIAN Harvey White 07775 668946
www.self-build.co.uk
20-27.indd 27
07/02/2014 16:28:28
50years...
Just
imagine…
Creating
a home…
Perfectly
planned…
Beautifully
tailored...
of
Beautifully
Tailored
homes
For more information visit: potton.co.uk or call: 01767
676 400
1964
2014
CELEBRATING
50 YEARS
PottonSelfBuild
KINGSPAN TIMBER SOLUTIONS LIMITED.
ELTISLEY ROAD, GREAT GRANSDEN, BEDFORDSHIRE SG19 3AR
28.indd 28
BEAUTIFULLY TAILORED
07/02/2014 16:22:36