After the Royal Institute of British Architects shortlisted the property for the prestigious award, Grand Designs House of the Year judges slammed it as the ‘worst house’ they had ever seen.
The series’ first episode aired on Channel 4 last night. Kevin was joined by his co-presenters Damion Burrows (architect) and Michelle Ogundehin (design expert). They visited five homes that challenged conventional design.
He will reveal each week the houses that the RIBA judges selected to be on the shortlist and announce in the last programme the prize winner.
Michelle visited the water tower located in rural Norfolk last night. Michelle said that the owner was inspired by 1960s scifi. It is decorated with steel cladding, vertical windows walls, and a living area for Thunderbirds.
The judges gave the building high marks before shortlisting the winner. However, viewers weren’t impressed.
Some people called it ‘awful’ while others said that it was beautiful. One commentator stated, ‘The water tower really is the most ugly house I have ever seen.
Grand Designs: House of the Year viewers slammed a 1960s Sci-Fi inspired water tower, calling it the ‘ugliest home they’ve ever seen’. The property was selected by the Royal Institute of British Architects for the prestigious award.
Michelle visited the water tower located in rural Norfolk last night. Michelle said it was built with 1960s sci fi and has vertical glass walls. It also features an industrial steel cladding.
In the meantime, the bedroom, which were built on top of one another within the water tower, had floor to ceiling windows that offered stunning views.
Another comment: “Christos that tower looks ugly and inappropriate.”
Dennis, a photographer; Misa, an interior designer.
The long-dead water tower was an old, rusting piece of metal that they bought and then gave it new life.
Dennis commented, “I’ve never had to take something apart in order to repair it. He was an engineer on TV, so he used to take things apart and put them back together. It was a huge thing.
Dennis and Misa purchased the long-dead water tower, which had been a rusting pile of metal. They gave it new life with a massive timber staircase at its centre.
Thanks to the clever wooden staircase, the building isn’t falling down.
Misa continued: “My parents are both artists, and we used to visit the dump together for an amoily trip.” It was a common practice to pick up items to recycle and make sculptures.
There was an enormous roof terrace on the top, and below was the open-plan kitchen/diner.
Two double bedrooms had en suite bathrooms. There was an additional set of steps leading to the upper level.
Michelle likened the building to “a Bond-lair”, while Dennis admitted that it was a very vulnerable spot. When the wind is up that strong, the rain is usually coming with it and it’s horizontal. You get tossed around and splashed in all directions. You are truly there.
“It’s exciting. Thunder, lightning, storms. It can wobble in the wind.
Thanks to the clever wooden staircase, the building is not at risk of falling down.
Owners purchased the disused, historic Water Tower from Norfolk for an equivalent amount of scrap steel
In a backdrop of Barley fields, the Water Tower tower stands proudly. The entire structure was cleverly engineered to reflect the water’s absence and distribute new accommodation loads.
The 182 blocks were made of superstrong timber and layers of wood that were glued alternately at the right angles. The blocks form a huge corkscrew which helps pin the tower on the ground.
Dennis explained that each was uniquely numbered and then labelled.
The judges praised the roof as well as the floor to ceiling windows in the bedrooms and the living room in the main tank.
Main space had a concrete polished flooring, wooden kitchen, and 21st-century wraparound windows.
Michelle commented, “There is a lot of structure out there but it feels so lovely that it fits in perfectly.”
Night lights in the water tower show a light and bright interior with ample space for living.
Dennis and his son were the main contractors, and they did all of the demolition on the property.
Dennis shared that Dennis was physically there quite a lot. Dennis and his team converted a shipping box, which I used for weekends. When I woke up one day, I realized that I had taken on way too much. It’s too much.
Mike Tonkin was their architect. He said that he wanted to get to know the people and their desires. Dennis was a fan of thunderbirds.
But it was also important to Mike that whatever they did would be embraced by the local people nearby.
He stated that many of the climbers had done it when they were children. We had to do something interesting. Dennis hosted an open house, which attracted around 1,000 visitors. The people wanted to tour the inside.
Many people who saw the construction were not impressed. One wrote: “The water tower! Oh that’s crazy!”
Michelle said: ‘When they took on this build, it was quite a gamble….reinventing a local landmark, not knowing how much it would cost…but sometimes, you have to take a risk to see somethings true potential.’
The RIBA stated that it was’very sustainable’ in its decision to choose the house and said: ‘It’s been treated with delight, humour. You can view the spiral staircase once inside.
“The views from the top are very impressive.”
Many people were not impressed with the construction, and one wrote: “The water tower! Oh my God!”
The second commentator said, “Can’t believe they picked a water Tower over the stunning Harbour House.”
One more: “So, the East German guard Tower made it to shortlist.”
House on the Hill in the Welsh borders was both a traditional Georgian farmhouse as well as a space-age monolith. It had jagged walls, minimalist surfaces, and was half Georgian.
The extension house contains the main living area, and kitchen and dining space. The main living area includes two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, and an office that opens to the balcony.
Another wrote, “If they shortlist Norfolk tower, I’m not watching again.”
Kevin said, “These buildings make you stop and look at them. They are buildings that bring you out from the mundane of your day.”
Some people are wildly outgoing, others are quiet and breezily eccentric.
These are homes that revitalize and rejuvenate, regardless of whether it’s a mansion, a maisonette, or a beach house.
House on the Hill was the second home that was shortlisted by the judges. It was situated in remote Wales borders.
It consisted of half a Georgian farmhouse half a monolith from space, with minimalist surfaces and jagged walls.
It was also a place of light. It now houses a house gallery with three rooms, one bedroom and one study.
The main living and cooking areas are located in the extension, as well as the kitchen and dining spaces. The main living area includes two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, and an office that opens to a balcony.
Alison Brooks, an architect and design genius behind this building was responsible for its creation.
An extension of this size houses a vast living room, with a spacious lounge and a dining room that is lit by floor-to ceiling windows.
Alison Brook, Architect stated that she had initially difficulty getting planning approval for the extension. She said: “It was my first refusal of a planning application.”
She stated that it was always more efficient to contrast historic buildings with something else. The west wing has a more relaxed feel while the farmhouse is formal and powerful.
According to her, she had initially difficulty getting planning permission for an extension. She stated: “It was my first refusal of a planning application.”
The unusual combination works. With the West Wing, the space is quieter and less subservient than the original farmhouse.
The interior was open and unified, with the living, eating, and cooking areas all being connected.
Judges praised the unique geometry that leads the eyes. It took 10 years to finish the project. The grand finale was the swimming pool, which is located within a walled yard.
Michelle said that although architecture such as this is not cheap, House on the Hill is a great example of excellence. The House on the Hill is built with dedication to workmanship and a geometric obsession.
Michelle stated that there are many things that don’t work, but it does. It’s all due to the accuracy and details of the architecture.
House-Within a House stands out among Victorian homes on a street which suffered significant bomb damage in World War II. It was a nondescript building built in the 1960s, but has been transformed by building a ‘skin’ around the existing structure
The judges also selected a south London ‘home within the home’ and it was featured in the program.
A’skin was designed by the architect to replace a two-story 1960s house that had been destroyed in World War Two bombing.
“One can sense the stress of daily life begin to disappear when one walks into the charming front yard of this detached, three-storey home with six bedrooms in conservation.”
According to the jury, the’skin” brings the building up-to-date by adding insulation and wrapping the exterior walls with a warm, thick coat.
The jury stated that “The composition of these elevations has retained a large portion of the original opening” and was very poetical, fluid, and pleasing to the eye. The combination of the light grey brick cladding and the context-sensitive effect creates a harmonious, whispering atmosphere.
Michelle and Dan call it home. They wanted somewhere to live with their children and get away from the trauma of previous relationships.
Michelle explained that they met in 2011 and Dan and I both had boys. Dan and Michelle then had a son together, so there were five boys. After moving into our rental home, we began planning for our own place.
Dan stated that he wanted lots of communal space where people could gather and have fun.
Ground floor: A playroom, study, living room and kitchen, with three bedrooms on the first and second floors. Top floor has two more master bedrooms as well as two child’s rooms.
Kevin commented, “It is a fantastically proud 21st-century conversion of next door.”
The inside of House within House features modern décor, including a large island kitchen that dominates the center of the kitchen as well as a floor-to-ceiling window that lets in natural light.
This outer shell acts as insulation and keeps the area warmer than its 1960s predecessor.
Dan explained that people often stop and take a look at the site, which can be a good thing because it’s different from other areas. There are people who like it and there are those that don’t.
“Originally one of these was destroyed by bombing, so it was necessary to construct something later after war.
Michelle said: ‘We kept [the old thing], it’s inside. This was the most crucial thing. [to use the 1950s house].’
They saved 12,000 bricks by keeping the original floor slab and ground floor walls. To build an additional floor, they used a timber frame.
The grey brick exterior gives off a contemporary feel with modern windows that separate the House within the House from the older neighbors
The judges were impressed by the extruded timber rafter, which combined elegance and indestructible functionality.
Kevin described the house within the house as’relaxed and unfussy’. He praised the vaulted ceilings and the sun-drenched staircases.
Michelle was the project manager and took over two years to finish.
She stated that she had always hoped to have concrete floors downstairs. We tried working with contractors but it was too expensive. It was an absolute horror.
John Pardey Architectures built Harbour House, Hayling Island. Kevin described Harbour House as ‘handsome and angular’ (pictured).
The building was an example of beachside living at its best. The ground floor of the house was used as a living room.
Kevin described Harbour House, a Hayling Island house built by John Pardey Architects as ‘handsome and angular, well-chiseled’.
The building was an example of beachside living at its best. The ground floor of the house was turned upside-down and used as a third bedroom, a bathroom, and a living room.
Upstairs, you will find a master bedroom, a living room, and a dining area.
Simon and Lisa who were in the public relations industry and who owned it with their children, called it home.
Simon explained: “Lisa, I met at the ocean, and we were married by the water. Also, our boat was on the waters, so we raced each other at sea.” It was time to go on living by the sea.
Lisa said, “I’m particularly interested in inside-outside living weather permitting.” It’s amazing that the house can withstand 100 mph winds from the South West.
Simon and Lisa are keen on indoor/outdoor living, and want to use natural materials.
John the architect said John’s inspiration for the amazing building came from the beautiful surroundings.
Harbour House is not just a beachfront property, but also has its own pool.
Edward Rice, the project manager said that each piece of glass weighs around three-quarters of an ton, so it was necessary to lift the item from the neighboring yard.
Meanwhile architect John added: ‘The scruffy quality of this area really inspired me. I find it horrible to be viewed as someone who only designs posh homes.
I get excited about people without a lot of money, those in low-end places.
“It forces you to work more, it makes you want to do more. But, I don’t want it too extravagant or pretentious. It was important to me that the house fit into my lifestyle.
Woollacott Gilmartin built Pele Tower House. It was an impressive Grade II listed fortress with an impassible armor of stone.
Pele Tower House was the last home on the show, built by Woollacott Gilmartin. This fortress appeared formidable, and was protected by an impassable armour of rugged stone.
The walls were five feet thick, but the home was filled with light, glass and other 21st-century features.
It was designed by Katie Woolacott and Patrick Gilmartin, who were drawn to the romance of working with a 14th century tower.
Patrick shared the following: “It brings out my child side, I love to climb it. It’s a place you desire to explore, to learn and to be amazed by.
Katie said, “All that eccentricity was something we really valued.”
The house was built in different parts. For example, the center section was constructed around 15th-century, and the tower, the older part, was completed at the end of the 19th century.
Judges commended Katie and Patrick for their sensitive modernization of the tower, while keeping the past in mind. The pair built a light well that floods the area with brightness.
It perfectly blends old materials with modern styling to make this unique home (photo right).
Patrick stated, “That was the real challenge. How to make it an intimate family home and not too gloomy.”
Judges commended Katie and Patrick for their sensitive modernization of the tower, while keeping the historical context.
They created space between the existing walls and roof, seamlessly integrating the new in the old.
Katie stated, “We wanted you to feel like you were in the ruin.” It wouldn’t be possible to feel this way if we hadn’t taken you to the edges.
You wouldn’t think that such deceit could be hidden behind the arch-slit windows from outside. A space was also left between the walls to allow for a light source on the one side.
Patrick stated that many of the issues we faced within the tower were not common in urban settings. This was possible because of the light well.