A reimagined former village school and a London Victorian terrace given a new lease of life are among the properties competing in the latest heat to be named Grand Designs: House of the Year.
The fourth program of this series airs tonight Channel 4Kevin McCloud, his co-presenters, Damion Burrows (architect) and Michelle Ogundehin (design expert), visit five homes in the UK to compete for a spot on the shortlist. All of these properties push the limits of conventional design.
Each of the homes was designed to reinvent a beloved type of building – from a 21st century reboot of the classic Kentish oast to a cool contemporary reimagining of the suburban family house in Surrey.
FORMER VILLAGE SCHOOL: The Grade II listed Victorian village school in Yorkshire has been reincarnated with a stunning long low extension, transforming it into a 21st century family home
ECO-FRIENDLY COUNTRY HOST: The Devon Passive House was the second longlisted property. It is an eco-friendly, country-style version of a home. The interior is spacious and large with a substantial basement.
MODERN TAKES ON VICTORIAN TERRACE. The last home was located in South London. Corner House by 31/44 architects has similar proportions to its neighbors, but with its flat roof and rugged concrete details, it stands out as the latest kid on the block.
Kevin said, “We are nearing the conclusion of our tour to the properties on RIBA’s longlist… This time they all house that reinvent familiar types buildings.
“Step up and be ready for an exciting finish. This category honors homes that innovate, such as chocolate pizzas or chicken tikkapasy. These homes are unique because they can take something that is familiar and add a culinary twist to it.
THE MODERN OAST HOUSE
Oast House is the first long-listeder to reinvent the Kentish traditional. This red brick tower was originally designed to dry hops. Today, they are popular for their round form. Modern Oast takes circular living to the next level with five tiled clad roundels made in 21st-century timber. They are fused into one building that features curved walls, dizzying cone ceilings, and curved walls.
Frederick Luderwig, a German-born architect who loved the idea to reimagine Kentish delicacies (pictured above).
Oast House is the first long-lister to reinvent the Kentish traditional. This red brick tower was originally designed to dry hops. It is now a popular home design.
Modern Oast is a pioneer in circular living. It features five roundels of tiled-clad tiles made from 21st century wood and fused together to create a unique building with curving walls and conical ceilings.
The ground floor houses a sitting area, kitchen and guest room. A central hallway leads to upstairs, where there’s a double-height living space and three bedrooms.
It’s the curvy brain child of German born architect, Frederick Luderwig, who loved the idea of reimagining a Kentish delicacy.
Kevin called the structure’remarkable’. He said, “Tell us how this spaceship landed there.” This building speaks volumes about contemporary space.
Frederick said, “It’s contemporary but speaks very strongly to the local vernacular.”
These structures are quite strange and they’re all around Kent. Kentians think that they’re normal. But when you look outside you wonder, “What’s the matter?”
“We have tried to teach ourselves Oast and Kent. You only have circles so it is a strange alphabet.
An old Kent oasthouse might consist of one to two circular towers attached to a rectangular building. Here, however, five spaces are provided.
The central roundel offers guests a great view of the roof.
Kevin commented, “I imagine most clients would require some convincing that they were eating their lunch at a 40 foot ceiling.”
Frederick explained to Frederick that a circular space is more interesting than a rectangular one.
“So it is different from what you are used to having. It feels private, and it is more comfortable because you are there.
Traditional Kent Oast houses might consist of one or two rectangular towers attached to a rectangular building. Here, there are five circles. Here is an example of the Oast House’s central curving landing.
Kevin compared it to a modern igloo, with curved sinks, mirrors and even the lights. As you can see, the roofs were made of 41,000 tiles. 15,000 of these had to be cut manually to conform to the cones’ shapes.
You will find the elegant staircase, left. This leads to a gallery. From there you’ll see the bedrooms in turrets. Kevin describes the property as ‘primal and magic’
He said, “What is interesting about Kent? That round things don’t seem so shocking.”
The RIBA judges praised Oast’s craftsmanship, describing it both as a sculpture and craft work.
The entire space was beautiful, right down to the concrete floor and the staircase made of solid birch plywood.
You are taken to a gallery from which you can see the bedrooms in the turrets. Kevin calls the property “primal” and “magical.”
It was like a modern Igloo with its curved sinks, mirrors, and lights. The roofs are constructed from 41,000 tiles. Of these, 15,000 needed to be cut to the correct shape for the cones.
EECO-FRIENDLY COUNTRY HOME
Damian also visited Devon Passive House on Longlist 2. It was described by Damian as an eco-friendly alternative to a traditional country home.
Behind the grand brick façade, lies a modern, ultra-efficient eco-home, which Damian said was ‘elegant and rich in natural materials within’
Damian also visited Devon Passive House on Longlist 2, which Damian described as an environmentally-friendly alternative to a traditional country home.
Kevin explained: ‘Behind the grand brick façade, lies a modern, ultra-efficient eco-home. The interior is elegant and full of natural materials.
You’ll be surprised at how large it is. There are two secret rooms in the basement, which house a media and plant room. All the rest flows from a central atrium that houses a living room, dining area, and cooking space. There are also four bedrooms.
Eileen and Nigel, two former software engineers, call this home.
Damian called it ‘beautifully simple’. Eileen said they were ‘not showy people’.
She stated that one of her instructions was “No bling. Absolutely no bling.”
Nigel said, “We had not been searching for building an enormous gin palace.” The site was suitable for the gin palace, so we considered it more.
Their site was located in the country kitchen garden of an adjacent house.
Eileen and Nigel have created a small kitchen garden to go alongside the brick-built garden walls.
Nigel explained that the bricks appeared to be similar, and they didn’t look like they were in servitude to each another. As the same Devon clay which made the bricks.
Eileen stated that the design of the doorway was to look like an entrance to “a secret garden”, adding, “And who wouldn’t love to live in secret gardens?”
Judges from RIBA praised the house’s respect for the historical setting, while hinting at something different in the interior through details such as the bay window.
The brick path leading to the courtyard allowed them into it.
Damian commented, “This space is simply stunning to be in.”
Clay rendered walls and reclaimed terracotta tiles under foot give it an honest, simple beauty.
Eileen said: ‘it’s all very organic, all different variations of clay. It makes me feel happy. Ceramics and all kinds of pottery have been a passion for us since childhood. We’ve kept a collection going back a very long time.
The house was constructed as a passive home, meaning it is highly insulated and requires very little energy to heat. This meant that Nigel and Eileen had a lot to watch out for areas where heat could escape.
Richard Golden, Nigel’s contractor explained that it was very challenging and nerve-wracking.
REIMAGINED FAMILY SUBURB HOUSE
Kevin praised the third house on the list in Surrey as a “fresh delight slice of something cool”. The presenter added: “Perhaps suburban living has never looked so beautiful, minimal, and meticulously crafted.”
The ground floor was arranged around an open plan living dining and kitchen area, while upstairs there was a master bedroom, four additional bedrooms and a family bathroom (left and right)
Kevin praised the third property on his list as a “fresh delight slice of something cool”, adding that: “Perhaps suburban living has never looked so simple and beautiful.”
Weybridge House, by Wilkinson King Architects, has no pointed roof, and instead has a simple elegant dappled grey brick box.
There were only one space with light and glass that was filled in the interior.
It was designed around an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen space. A snug guest room, as well as a home office, were located on the ground floor.
Upstairs, there was a master suite with four bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Sarah lives there with her husband, and their three children.
Wilkinson King Architects’ Weybridge House has a flat roof and instead has a plain, elegant, dappled gray brick box (pictured).
Hidden pockets doors weren’t the only means of breaking up the space. To allow as much light to enter the space, walls were made almost entirely from invisible glass.
Kevin commented that the pink-colored house was a surprise and was amazed at its warmth.
To let as much light as possible, hidden pocket doors were not the only method of dividing the space. Instead, walls constructed from virtually invisible glass allowed for as many windows as possible.
This creates a stunning effect with clear views of the entire structure and the completely transparent facade facing the street.
Judges from RIBA commended the clever and functional design of this home, which was completely freed from suburbanism.
Kevin stated, “It’s so generous.”
The project was completed within a short time frame and on a budget. This meant that the materials used were not off-the-shelf.
Sarah explained that Sarah didn’t choose to have anything bespoke because of the cost. We couldn’t afford to have the glass all the way around, so the glazing system was the biggest you can buy. The kitchen has a marble backsplash and is high-end.
EX-VILLAGE SCHOOL MUCH-WOVED
Former school in Yorkshire has a double-height living room with mezzanine and a bedroom. Behind it, there is a playroom and an open kitchen diner. There are two additional bedrooms (pictured).
One bedroom in the family home’s modernisation has breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
The property that was next on the long-list carefully navigated through the maze of reinventing an institution in its locality.
Damian visited a Yorkshire village to find it, and added that there are buildings that make up a village.
This Grade II-listed Victorian village school was reborn with an impressive long, low extension that transforms it into a family home in the 21st Century.
This former school has a living area and mezzanine bedrooms at double height. Behind it, there is an open-plan kitchen and playroom, as well as a bathroom with two additional bedrooms.
This is James, Gail and their three boys. They didn’t lightly take on the challenge of reimagining this village landmark.
James stated, “We are hugely invested into the village and community.”
Gail said, “This place certainly has a special place in our hearts.” People will randomly rap the door, saying “Hi! I went to school here. Would you mind if i just came in to look around, because I have so many happy memories from being there?”
Damian commented, “The first impression of it is that its very discrete and low-lying. It is so invisible from the side. It’s completely invisible from the front.
The RIBA judges were impressed by the clever use of structural metal and wraparound glazing, which allows the flat roof to be supported lightly on the one pillar.
James commented, “It is very clearly defined from the initial building. It was really important for us.”
James and Gail took a lot time to think about their priorities before beginning work. After seven years of living in the same house, Gail made a failed attempt at reinvention.
James explained that the original house had been built in 1970s, and retained its prestige. For seven years, we didn’t have any functioning kitchen.
Gail explained that the connection was not there so it was hard for the boys to go outside.
The RIBA judges were impressed by the clever use of structural metal and wrap-around glazing. This allows the flat roof to be supported on a single pillar. Inside, all was ultramodern and white.
THE ELEGANT REINVENTION A VICTORIAN TERA
Corner House is designed by 31/44 Architectures. It has similar elegant proportions to its south London neighbours but with its concrete detailing and flat roof, it stands out as the most innovative block.
Sarah, a property developer from south London, built the home. Sarah loved the idea that he could breathe new life into an old street in London.
The Victorian-era interior was gone. There were three floors with uncluttered spaces, including this modern living/kitchen space.
South London was the final residence. There, you will find rows upon rows of Victorian terraces.
Corner House is designed by 31/44 architects. It has similar proportions to its neighboring houses, but it’s unique concrete details and flat roof makes it stand out.
Meanwhile inside, there was no trace of Victorian, with three floors of uncluttered space.
Sarah, a property investor, created it because she loved the idea to breathe new life into an old street in London.
She explained that the goal was for it to stand out, but be understated. It should also fit in well with what is already there. The curved corner was designed by the architects to mirror the bar opposite the arches.
Sarah built a new home of 100 meters at the end. The lower floor houses the main living space and a courtyard.
Meanwhile the second floor had a sitting room and guest bedroom while the master suite at the top of the house.
The house’s ability to take traditional ideas and play with them was praised by judges. It leads directly into the kitchen diner, which is decidedly not Victorian.
Judges were impressed by the mix of traditional and modern ideas. You can enter the diner from the entrance. It is definitely not Victorian (pictured).
Sarah explained that Victorian terraces often seem like a dark tunnel. However, my vision was for the light to shine through. Corner plots have the advantage of having windows at the end, roof lights, and big doors at the ends.
“You can extend your living area.”
With a micro cement flooring, 21st century functionality can be found everywhere. This floor maximizes the room’s height.
The master suite was located upstairs. Will Burges designed a room similar to a conservatory below.
He stated, “Because your eyes are looking down the street it feels quite private. It’s like you’re inside a glassed room with the pavement below you.
Sarah and Will have dealt with pitfalls well, Michelle stating that it captures the elegant past in a modern way.