Review: Grand Designs Series Three

Tuesday, 1 August 2006 12:00 AM

For some people, life in a run-of-the mill property on a suburban housing development is not enough.

They dream of a better life, of not conforming to the mould, of owning a unique property, usually in the country.

Of these, some will remain where they are, while others will move and partially realise their dream - a select few will take an altogether more radical option.

In Grand Designs writer and designer Kevin McCloud tracks down the select few who possess the drive, the initiative, the energy and the vision to build or renovate a property and create the house of their dreams.

Series three, which was released in July, follows the trials and triumphs of six couples as they battle against money, the elements and time to realise their vision.

But even among the select few, one or two stand out.

Leanne Smith and Chris Jones from Chesterfield undertook a project of mammoth proportions when they decided to convert a former water treatment works into their dream home.

Built in 1938, the waterworks had been disused for several years. The building's 29 large steel windows had been blocked up and much of the old machinery still remained. Its dark imposing shell led Kevin to describe it as like a mausoleum.

Chris and Leanne planned to retain much of the building's industrial character while transforming it into a four-bedroom home with double height ceilings and an enormous living space utilising the waterworks' cavernous hall.

The size of the project would have challenged many an experienced builder, but novices Chris and Leanne decided to undertake all the work themselves - with a little help from Chris's dad.

What they achieved, through sheer force of will, was astounding. The dank, dark and neglected waterworks became a beautifully finished light and airy home.

They even find time for some unusual finishing touches such as a Mini, with its roof sawn off, turned into a desk.

Their feat was matched by woodman Ben Law in West Sussex. Ben had been living under canvas in the wood where he worked for ten years, while he sought planning permission to build a house.

Planning permission is very rarely granted for properties within a woodland, but Ben's house was no normal property.

Constructed with timber a-frames using wood from the forest, the most remarkable thing about this property was that it was entirely hand made.

The timber a-frames were lifted into place by Ben and his team using brute strength and a series of pulleys - building methods that would have been typical in medieval times.

The walls were built using straw bails, covered on the outside by oak panels and on the inside by clay.

But with the addition of glass, the house was so light inside that it was anything but medieval.

Ben gets his electricity from solar panels and a wind turbine erected outside the property, and water from a combination of rain and a nearby spring.

As Kevin concludes: "I think he's achieved a very rare thing. A truly modern, truly natural house."

DVD details
Release date: 17th July 2006
Running time: 340 mins approx
Format: two disc set, seven episodes
RRP: £19.99
Cert: PG
Cat No: C4DVD10113

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• uk property news