New series of Grand Designs
Discussion
I liked it, it wasn't OMG that's fantastic liking it, but appreciative liking it. The designers were a bit precious over it, as Kevin said, it's not theirs to live in, let them hang a picture on the wall if they want to!
As for next week, what's the baby prediction? She does seem to be slightly of the mental
As for next week, what's the baby prediction? She does seem to be slightly of the mental
ajprice said:
I liked it, it wasn't OMG that's fantastic liking it, but appreciative liking it. The designers were a bit precious over it, as Kevin said, it's not theirs to live in, let them hang a picture on the wall if they want to!
As for next week, what's the baby prediction? She does seem to be slightly of the mental
Slightly? Extreme minimalist is a motorway overhead sign-sized warning of the Mental in so many other ways.As for next week, what's the baby prediction? She does seem to be slightly of the mental
So she'll definitely be dragging Kevin off by the ear to demand her portion of baby porridge.
V8mate said:
garyhun said:
At the end of the day all that matters is that they are happy with it and it gives them years of pleasure.
A ten quid double-ended dildo would have sufficed, in that case.
I'm just in the process of designing my own house right now with an architect and hope to begin a self-build in the new year. One thing that becomes very clear when you go through the process is that what you see as beautiful design is not for everyone. I did not like the finished design last night, but if it's what they want then who am I to criticise.
The only thing I worry about is using untested/prototype methods, and really 'nice' features such as shadow gaps, where the client does not necessarily understand that there may be implications to schedule and/or costs.
garyhun said:
Probably a more cost-effective option, yes!
I'm just in the process of designing my own house right now with an architect and hope to begin a self-build in the new year. One thing that becomes very clear when you go through the process is that what you see as beautiful design is not for everyone. I did not like the finished design last night, but if it's what they want then who am I to criticise.
The only thing I worry about is using untested/prototype methods, and really 'nice' features such as shadow gaps, where the client does not necessarily understand that there may be implications to schedule and/or costs.
Fantastic I'm just in the process of designing my own house right now with an architect and hope to begin a self-build in the new year. One thing that becomes very clear when you go through the process is that what you see as beautiful design is not for everyone. I did not like the finished design last night, but if it's what they want then who am I to criticise.
The only thing I worry about is using untested/prototype methods, and really 'nice' features such as shadow gaps, where the client does not necessarily understand that there may be implications to schedule and/or costs.
Would love to have that opportunity. Will you (or have you already?) started a build thread in the Homes section?
BoRED S2upid said:
Laurel Green said:
V8mate said:
The rats will love the cosiness of that warm gap under the floor.
Especially when they find an entry into the paper insulation. To be fair, I thought it was great. At last a couple set out what they want and professionals deliver it, on time, and (almost) on budget. Those blokes didn't look like professionals, but they were. There was a consistency of design through the entire house, achieved because the client had the self discipline and the wit to let the designer get on with it. That couple deserve respect because they have achieved what so many Grand Designs punters fail to.
It is an attractive little house, inside and out, and will if it survives be something of a classic. Personally I am not into the gypsy caravan style chimney flues, and the whole thing reminded me of those dainty little cottages that were built after the First World War. I fear that they will end up living like the Beryl Reid character in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and as someone pointed out earlier, someone will buy the property, flatten their dreamy little cottage, and build a stonking neo-Tudor villa. Maybe a £750k site needs a £750k building on it.
From what they showed us, it looked like a complete success. However, it was a pity that the garage was not in the same style as the house. Television is also very deceptive, and there was a lot they didn't show us. They made a big drama about the shadow gap detail. Something like that should not cost money or time if it is thought about in advance and all the components ordered to suit, and it beats spending the rest of your days living with a bodge. Innovative building systems often have unintended and unexpected flaws, which is why building techniques developed over time generally win out. I remember an Italian system for building schools in the early 60's which involved casting concrete panels round a core of polystyrene insulation. Fast, slick, cheap, but if the school caught fire, the panels exploded.
Are these joints between the plywood units really going to hold? Are these engineered beams (which are great when used internally)going to last the course in an external environment, even with a liberal coating of blackjack? What kind of roof has it got? If that render system is straight onto the plywood, is that all that is keeping the water out? Timber is a very adaptable material, but if it is not allowed to breathe, as in these airtight designs, it tends to rot,particularly when you add a bit of water to the mix.
No building project is beyond criticism. Really good effort.
Edited by cardigankid on Thursday 20th September 09:11
I really liked it. You could tell they'd spent ages on the design before it got anywhere near site. Did anyone, for example, notice the pre-cut holes for the bannister lights in the staircase? And the fact that each box had an insulation hole at the top and the middle, with a central divider to stop the insulation settling over time.
Although, the whole idea of zero tolerance was laughable. And, if I heard right, I think he said they'd had to remake the boxes either side of the windows...
And, although the "we paid off the mortgage" comment at the end was thrust in there, I'm not entirely sure they would ever have had one with an unknown building system. The figures in general were rather dubious. At one point the build system was mentioned as being provided 'at cost' at £70k, while later £70k's worth of instructions were also mentioned (much was made of the additional roof drains). So did the build system actually cost twice what was predicted? Apparently not because somehow they were only 13k or so over by the end of it. Very odd.
And Kevin was annoying me with his desperate attempts to stir up conflict.
Although, the whole idea of zero tolerance was laughable. And, if I heard right, I think he said they'd had to remake the boxes either side of the windows...
And, although the "we paid off the mortgage" comment at the end was thrust in there, I'm not entirely sure they would ever have had one with an unknown building system. The figures in general were rather dubious. At one point the build system was mentioned as being provided 'at cost' at £70k, while later £70k's worth of instructions were also mentioned (much was made of the additional roof drains). So did the build system actually cost twice what was predicted? Apparently not because somehow they were only 13k or so over by the end of it. Very odd.
And Kevin was annoying me with his desperate attempts to stir up conflict.
V8mate said:
Fantastic
Would love to have that opportunity. Will you (or have you already?) started a build thread in the Homes section?
I'll start a thread once I get planning - the application will probably go in around mid October/November so hopefully will get permission by the beginning of the new year. I still have not exchanged on the plot yet, but that should happen in the next 3-4 weeks, and until then I'm not counting on anything.Would love to have that opportunity. Will you (or have you already?) started a build thread in the Homes section?
It's funny how it all worked out. It's been a dream of mine to self-build for over 12 years so I sold my house near Poole in May 2008 and went into rented and started looking for a plot. After 3 years of near misses and failing to break into the local 'developer-estate agent' cartel I gave up and purchased a house in December 2011. This was about 10 miles away from where I lived as I wanted to try to see if I could happily live somewhere different.
My ex-neighbour (the builder of the house I sold, who became my best friend and who is a small developer) had his 50th about 5 weeks ago on Studland (near Poole harbour). Whilst drinking far too much and chatting to him I said I really wanted to come back to the area and that buying a new house had not dampened my desire to self-build. About 5 days later he phones me to say he knows of a plot being sold privately that's just got planning. So suddenly I find a plot that's just right for what I want to build but now I have a house to sell. To cut a long story short, my house went under offer after 12 days and the seller of the land chose me over 4 developers because I'm building single story at the end of their garden so will be almost hidden. Now nothing is yet certain, although it's looking good, and I still have to go back to planning because the original permission was for a horrible design which was only won on appeal, but it's funny how sometimes things seem 'meant to be'!
Serendipity rules
I loved the place, but it was mighty pricey at the end of it. Having said that, it was a bespoke arty house on an acre in Hertfordshire so it was probably cheaper to build than buy.
What I find amazing is that two professors could afford a million quid property with no mortgage - I guess that's what happens when you don't have kids and have worked in a good job for 45 years.
What I find amazing is that two professors could afford a million quid property with no mortgage - I guess that's what happens when you don't have kids and have worked in a good job for 45 years.
Beefmeister said:
I loved the place, but it was mighty pricey at the end of it. Having said that, it was a bespoke arty house on an acre in Hertfordshire so it was probably cheaper to build than buy.
What I find amazing is that two professors could afford a million quid property with no mortgage - I guess that's what happens when you don't have kids and have worked in a good job for 45 years.
Who's to say they did not have other sources as well - investments/lottery/inheritance.What I find amazing is that two professors could afford a million quid property with no mortgage - I guess that's what happens when you don't have kids and have worked in a good job for 45 years.
What they do for a living may have no reflection on their wealth.
theironduke said:
How easy will it be for a potential future buyer to get a mortgage on that? as others have said the whole plywood plus damp scenario would worry me.....can't see it still being 1005 solid in say 20 years.
Ah but it's (as they all like to say these days) sustainable....as in they have to keep cutting trees down to replace the wood that goes rotten.Unlike an unsustainable stone built house which never needs it's stone replaced...........oh no hang on.
garyhun said:
Beefmeister said:
I loved the place, but it was mighty pricey at the end of it. Having said that, it was a bespoke arty house on an acre in Hertfordshire so it was probably cheaper to build than buy.
What I find amazing is that two professors could afford a million quid property with no mortgage - I guess that's what happens when you don't have kids and have worked in a good job for 45 years.
Who's to say they did not have other sources as well - investments/lottery/inheritance.What I find amazing is that two professors could afford a million quid property with no mortgage - I guess that's what happens when you don't have kids and have worked in a good job for 45 years.
What they do for a living may have no reflection on their wealth.
I cannot see this build going well, especially when starting off with shoddily placed fixing studs. Gassing Station | TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff