August 2009

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We are constantly hearing about affordable plots available, but most of us still struggle to find them. The best news this month for those searching for a plot in Wales is the announcement of 118 plots for sale at a large plot near Cardiff. They are fully serviced, in varying sizes with prices ranging from £99,500 to £150,000, and there’s a design team and recommended builders on hand if you want any help. Check out www.thehouseibuilt.com for more information. For those more determined, each plot has outline planning consent, ready for your own design.

It’s a really fantastic self build opportunity, and what’s more, you will be living amongst other selfbuilders, each doing his or her own ambitious project. It could be the recipe for a very interesting community, and one that we will be keeping a close eye on in the coming months.

Check out www.plotbrowser.com for even more opportunities both in Wales and across the rest of the UK. It’s now free to use, so there’s nothing stopping you! Get hunting!

If further inspiration is what you’re after, our case studies could be just the tonic, ranging from a dramatic barn conversion to a contemporary lochside home in Scotland. Read on for more details, and buy the magazine or subscribe to get all the stories in full.

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A Barn Beauty

Internationally renowned designer David Pocknell has transformed a 14th century barn into a dramatic live work space. The 14th century building was on the Buildings at Risk register, and was Grade II* listed. David and his wife Sally got to work, creating living space at one end, complete with five bedrooms, and an extensive studio space at the other from which the couple operate their design business.

Case studies

High Hopes

Inspired by Glenn Murcutt’s style of architecture, a lochside home is built on a rocky outcrop, taking 10 years to complete. Perched above Loch Tay, the contemporary Perthshire home is the project of long-suffering selfbuilders Roland and Penny Kennedy who hired local architect Colin Smith to translate their many requirements into a home that they could envisage living in.

Heart of Glass

Despite their new London home being just nine years old, two lawyers gutted and remodelled it to better suit their needs. In so doing, they installed walls, floors and ceilings made of glass, effectively introducing an abundance of light into their home. They installed an extra kitchen on the top floor of their five storey home, allowing them to enjoy a cup of tea without walking right down to the ground floor.

Seeing the Light

A chapel in Padstowe has undergone some serious restoration work to make it a light, modern and quirky holiday home. Howard and Geraldine Lupton tackled the project from their home in Surrey, ultimately being ripped off by their builder, who did away with £40,000 intended to pay the tradesmen. The project was eventually completed, including the creation of new window openings to enhance the amount of light in the once gloomy interior.

Making an Entrance

Ross Stokes takes a look at some options to adorn that all-important front door. The choices may be more varied than you expect, and can work wonders to enhance your curb appeal

RIBA Awards

A sliding house, a converted stable and a home on a site of regular flooding, just some of the 2009 RIBA Award winners.

Little Gems

Architect Richard Dudzicki’s practice is at the forefront of environmentally conscious design. He says of his practice RDA, “I hate the word ‘sustainable,’ it sounds such a cliche, but it’s what we do.”

Interior designers

Louisa Hynes creates an opulent living room inspired by the existing panelling on the walls. The design even incorporates a grand piano. We are also joined by designer Jenny Gibbs, who delves into the psychology of colour.