A grand slam for eco-living

This year, Grand Designs Live promises an immersive experience with exhibitors across four key sectors: build, kitchens and bathrooms, gardens, and interiors.  The show will take place over nine days, including engaging talks led by renowned TV broadcaster and design... View Article

Directing a Cornish fairy tale

Anglophile and ex-Disney executive Kathleen Gearhart-Filmer moved to Cornwall to turn a concrete house into a magical coastal retreat TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Leighton James Several years ago, while on holiday with her baby daughter in Carbis Bay, west Cornwall, Kathleen... View Article

What is a Conservation Rooflight?

Paul Trace, director of Stella Rooflight discusses the unique properties of a genuine conservation rooflight What is a conservation rooflight? If you know that you need conservation rooflights for your project, the chances are that you have searched online and found... View Article

NaCSBA responds to the CMA House Building Market Study

The House Building Market Study – Final Report has been published by the Competition & Markets Authority. Once again, an independent investigation has highlighted the failure of the new homes market to deliver sufficient homes of the quality, quantity and value... View Article

Green light for couple’s self-build retirement home

A couple have been given the go-ahead to create their dream self-build retirement home after planning permission was granted following support from planning consultancy Marrons. Peter and Linda Greene – who have lived in Kibworth, Leicestershire, for more than 30... View Article

The art of lighting design

Lighting has the ability to make or break an interior scheme. From setting the mood and creating the desired ambience to fulfilling practical needs such as those of adequate illumination or defining boundaries in open plan spaces, lighting needs careful... View Article

Bexhill Road Project – Selencky Parsons architects uses Industville lights

Selencky Parsons architects recently unveiled their latest project, Bexhill Road, showcasing remarkable design concepts alongside impactful lighting solutions from Industville. Join us as we ask some questions to Sam Selencky, Director, Selencky Parsons architects and Mara Rypacek Miller Managing Director, Industville Ltd. Q: Can... View Article

Don’t kerb your enthusiasm for brick

Jason Hughes of Imperial Bricks explains how variations in brick colour, texture, size, and laying pattern all have a direct affect on the kerb appeal of your project, which impacts its future value Choosing the right cladding material is one... View Article

Futureproofing timber frame homes

Matthew Evans of Kingspan Insulation discusses how to ensure your timber frame home is well insulated so you don’t lose energy efficiency benefits Timber frame constructions are growing in popularity in the UK and now account for around 25% of... View Article

Refreshed regency elegance

Francois Belot and Andrea Buscone found a shared joy in their sensitive renovation and extension of an elegant Regency townhouse in south London TEXT ALEXANDRA PRATT IMAGES INNA KOSTUKOVSKY It was December 2019 when London-based couple Francois Belot and Andrea... View Article

Roaring into retirement

Embarking on the journey of self-building their retirement home along the south-west’s Jurassic Coast turned into a decade-long adventure for two septuagenarians. The result surpassed everything they could have hoped for TEXT EWEN MACDONALD IMAGES PHIL COFFEY Former city dweller... View Article

Permeable paving: the driving force behind SuDS success

Chris Hodson of Interpave delves into the impact of soon to be mandatory sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) in new residential projects, and the transformative role that permeable paving plays The wider application of concrete block permeable paving to reverse... View Article

Practically
perfect

Young newlyweds Euan and Fiona Coleman thought they had found their forever home, but once children arrived they reassessed their wish list of practicalities, which led them to embark on a renovation in Hertfordshire TEXT LAURA SHADWELL IMAGES JWB ARCHITECTS... View Article

Survey reveals UK self-builders’ challenges and aspirations

Younger people in the UK are vastly under-represented in the self-build community, according to a recent survey which also looked at key motives for self-builders including creating better quality and more sustainable homes.  The survey of 759 individuals undertaking homebuilding... View Article

The warm feeling of cost-efficiency

Dennis Milligan of the BFCMA explores the efficiency benefits of wood-burning stoves, how they work with heat pumps, and installation essentials Heat pumps work best when they are running at a constant temperature. A stove can complement a heat pump... View Article

The Window View: A look at safety issues

Victoria Brocklesby of Origin discusses what features to look for in your doors and windows in order to achieve the critical security you need for your home When undertaking a self-build project, it can be tempting to overlook home security... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries

After overcoming a rocky start, Kerri and her family are now making headway with a self-build in the Suffolk village they’ve lived in for years. She says the excitement and enthusiasm is building as their new home starts to take... View Article