Grand Designs Episode Information Brittany Groundhouse: The Story

Comments

1. When will the Groundhouse program be on again and which channel will be showing it?

   Posted by Susan McGuinness on 29/10/2009 10:08:14

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2. Absolutely fantastic, love it to bits, personally inspiring, highly motivating, 'a-do-it-now attitude, smart thinking, eco-friendly conception, saving, maximum quality, minimal expense, brilliant.

   Posted by Maria Murphy on 03/09/2009 05:57:31

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3. Blown away mate, of the many choice, cool and fantastic designs this one spoke to my heart. Love Daren and Adi's committment and peaceful, gentle, creative, imaginative, co-operative conscious ways. It was rewarding to see Kevin thriving in the communal creativity environment and I agree, it is indeed a provocatively wonderful example of how we all could be living, in harmony. Much respect, Peter

   Posted by wildsilver on 31/08/2009 01:33:55

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4. I love this house, where can i get these plans. i have just brought land.

   Posted by jo chin on 30/08/2009 21:15:47

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5. Creative, collaborative, uncompromising, commitment. A wonderful 'grand design'. Thank you Adi and Darren.

   Posted by Elizabeth S. on 16/08/2009 10:46:50

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6. just a quick question, what was the insulation made from ?

   Posted by AMJ on 10/08/2009 02:55:37

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7. I love this house! I love the rustic look it has. I think it's fantastic that they used so many recycled materials. A brilliant eco friendly, unique house, that looked warm and cosy. . And all those bottles, looked wonderful.

   Posted by Jo on 02/08/2009 13:45:39

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8. Loved Darren and Adi's home. Would love an e-mail address for them as we are planning to build our own 'eco' home. Many thanks, Beth

   Posted by Beth, Australia on 22/07/2009 06:10:26

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9. i hate the new 4od cos i cant find my favorite program

   Posted by sunee on 18/07/2009 14:24:27

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10. Aaron from Australia here, love the show and absolutely love this house. Have been recently following the exploits of the U.S Earthships projects among other Solar Passive concepts as my wife and I wish to design and build with that ethos in mind. I must say this is certainly one of the more asthetically pleasing Earthship styled projects I have seen. Well done Daren & Adi and all your helpers, your commitment to this project, as portrayed on the show shown last night in Australia, seemed true all the way. Congratulations and I only wish more people were prepared to build with their hearts and not just a catalouge page and a bank card, domestic architecure would be so much better for it.

    Posted by Aaron on 15/07/2009 03:48:44

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11. Hi We do not miss an episode of the new Grand Design series that is showing in Australia at the moment. We loved the bottle walls for the Brittany Groundhouse, a beautiful and creative home. Can you explain how to cut the bottles, please. Sarah

    Posted by sarah on 15/07/2009 02:11:48

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12. The presenter displayed prejudice and a lack of understanding as to why people would donate their labour to such a project. I throw in my labour to strawbale construction regularly and happily do so. Not for a second do I regard it as 'slave labour'! He redeemed himself with his final comments. There are many of us who understand that a time is coming when mutual co-operation and Amish style barnraising will become a necessity, as we continue energy descent, post peak oil. We need to see more of this sort of construction on Grand Designs, and less of this concept of luxurious, alienated living.

    Posted by Dean D on 15/07/2009 00:21:15

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13. Hi Mel, (The volunteers who came to help with the build were called something beginning with 'W' can you help decide an office debate? Posted by Mel on 10/05/2009 00:20:34) I believe they were WWOOFs (Willing Workers On Organic Farms). Love this design so much. It has been my favourite design of the series. It's my dream to build something similar, totally sustainable. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

    Posted by NA on 14/07/2009 12:48:47

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14. This house in Brittany is great,amazing how it fits together with the site giving an old and new feel to it and all the recycling giving warmth, and liked the way people came together to help in something that seemed new to them but was something people did in villages through time. Excellent show,but then I always know I will see forward thinking ideas. Congratulations to the owners and their friends and I am looking forward to another show in another part of the world.

    Posted by Kate,Australia on 14/07/2009 12:41:40

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15. Daren and Adi deserve praise for what can only be considered a truly brilliant eco freindly house. Myself and my wife were amazed at the concept of using old tyres for the walls and the low cost involed for the whole project. We are embarking on building are own house in cornwall once the right location can be sourced, we have watched Grand designs at every opportunity and many ideas will be incorporated.Our own design will be eco freindly but as mancunians the house will be where old meets new something we got from escape to the country. Anyway a truly brilliant programme and full credit to the team.

    Posted by Stephen Thompson on 03/06/2009 07:27:34

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16. ...I would like to do something possibly in Italy. I am English..and believe it is not possible planning wise in England. Is it possible in Italy ,..as in France. Beautiful Home and I and others admire you...Lori

    Posted by Lori on 27/05/2009 12:50:17

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17. The volunteers who came to help with the build were called something beginning with 'W' can you help decide an office debate?

    Posted by Mel on 10/05/2009 00:20:34

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18. Im wondering if it is possible to contact Daren to get more information about volanteering on a project of this nature. Im very interested in this type of building and have 22 years in the construction industry. I want to get experience with a view to building a leisure centre for Autistic Children in Lima Peru. If anyone has any idea how to contact him please let me know. Thanks

    Posted by ian kreeger on 29/04/2009 19:57:54

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19. I really enjoyed what the couple done with this project.Very creative.would it be possible to recieve a copy of the plans Thanks

    Posted by caroline on 21/04/2009 08:02:21

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20. Like lots of others is it possible to get contact details in order to visit. I shall be in Brittany soon and would like to build similar in Algeria.

    Posted by Portia on 18/04/2009 12:54:24

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21. We currently live in Normandy and are very interested in building an eco house like Darren and Adi. Would it be possible to have an e-mail link to this couple please, with a possible view to go and visit their wonderful home?

    Posted by Jan Brooker on 28/03/2009 12:16:19

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22. I am intrested in the flat roof idea of the site it would be great if you could add links into the pics so you can find out more details when looking at site's on here

    Posted by Ryan Johnson on 25/03/2009 12:16:32

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23. Great, I can't wait to see the roots of the plants behind the house slowly worm their way through the unsealed hind wall. It may take some years, but come they will. After all, they can wind into and around the tyres, and then there is no cement wall to stop them getting into the living room. Or did I miss something?

    Posted by Robert Cailliau on 14/03/2009 20:41:47

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24. We have a piece of land in Brittany and would love to build something similar to Adi and Darrens house, is it possible to have an email link to them so perhaps we can visit them?

    Posted by Clive Essame on 04/03/2009 22:15:57

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25. What a great thing to do and even better for the environment. Really nice family sure they will have many happy years there.

    Posted by Amy Lee-Webb on 01/03/2009 16:11:28

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26. Really enjoyed the programme. Thought it was a wonderful achievement. My brother, David, lives in Brittany near Pontivy. He has worked on Permaculture buildings and is an ecologist too! He would love to meet Daren and Adi. Would it be possible to have an email address or an understanding of where they are so he can visit and maybe help? His skills are in arboriculture, horticulture and he is also an artist. Thanks Jenny

    Posted by Jenny Turner on 01/03/2009 14:20:57

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27. loved the show as usual.we looked at where solar panels would go but did not get any details of the house electrics etc.

    Posted by cds on 01/03/2009 13:43:33

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28. I watched this with such intreast. what a fantstic home. well i wondered how hard it would be for a kids group to build a smaller version of the round bit as a club house/shed on a community allotment. I missed a little do you bolt the tryes together? what is the mud mixture? please could you let me know?

    Posted by Tracy on 28/02/2009 23:56:29

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29. I saw last nights program and i have to say what a fantastic and fasinating house, the best i have seen on the program. I take my hat off to you both on this one Daren & Adi it looked great, we wanted to live in it. Later in the year we are going to move to Perth Australia, but we are going to look into building a simlar construction out there if pos. As a carpenter, i have worked on some intresting buildings but not one quite like that. It would intresting to know if there was any settlement problems and what it has been like to live in over the summer and winter. There should be a follow up program..

    Posted by Tim Beeson on 28/02/2009 13:46:27

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30. Jenko1234 it's fixed now. Catch up on the missed episodes here: http://www.channel4.com/video/brandless-catchup.jsp?vodBrand=grand-designs Sorry about that.

    Posted by Richard on 28/02/2009 00:59:53

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31. Jenko1234 : we're sorry that you can't watch Grand Designs on catch-up. Something's amiss. We're looking into it right now.

    Posted by Richard on 27/02/2009 10:03:33

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32. Another brave individual scheme like the Kent Arch, realised in alternative technology. The end product considerably better than the early hippy originals. Daren & Adi you have done well to carry this through, though Daren given your day job as consultant in green methodology I question why a straw bale approach was not considered the more economic route? Unless I missed soething, I appreciate thermal banking to rear, but understand effectiveness relates to distance into the material & it is some distance from the glass. Straw bale could be built on a thermally insulated ground bank to store heat gained, even to winter & the build would not have required the man hours. Any comment? All the best, you have achieved much none-the-less. Yours Vaughan Keal

    Posted by Vaughan Keal on 27/02/2009 00:41:57

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33. This is my favourite house on Grand Designs, the kitchen was one that I could live in, the only problem I have with it is that it would not accomodate us as a family of 6. Gorgeous house though

    Posted by kate on 26/02/2009 22:15:24

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34. A great show and an inspirational build well done to everyone who helped on the build. A similar project was carried out and completed a year ago and a friend of mine stayed in it to experience first hand what living in an earthship feels like. The earthship is in Normandy and was built with the help of Michael Reynolds, not sure of the web site but a search for earthship normandy should do.

    Posted by bottle walls on 26/02/2009 21:31:51

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35. For more information about this build, please see www.groundhouse.co.uk

    Posted by Pickled Eggs on 26/02/2009 19:31:12

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36. How frustrating is this...I come to watch a few previous editions of Grand Designs (as I missed them) and no where can I find anyway to play them online. What the hell has happened here..... Anyone know how to get around it? It does frustrate me when people change web sites and places for the sake of it. Thanks.

    Posted by Jenko1234 on 26/02/2009 18:06:17

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37. Have not seen the programme, but will watch repeat. Its something I have wanted to do for over 4 years now since I took a Permaculture Design course: I have 3 acres of land/woods in central Brittany. Thinking of going for it, would need help from those interested in helping to gain experience etc. Love to build in UK but too expensive. Anyone interested; please email. Roox

    Posted by Ruth HIND on 26/02/2009 14:34:47

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38. Congratulations on your excellent programme on the Brittany Groundhouse! As you say, I think this really is how we should all be living, and, I believe, how very many of us would love to live if ever we get the chance. I visited the Brighton Earthship a few years ago and by the end of the tour, everyone in the party (over 40 people) wanted one of these sustainable, low impact, beautiful and harmonious houses. I think this was my favourite Grand Designs ever - even beating Ben Law's lovely wooden cottage! I do hope you revisit it again later and show us how Daren and Adi have developed their grand design and how the house is performing, addressing the technical issues, especially about damp, ventilation, etc, raised in the comments below. That way, others may be inspired and encouraged to experiment with Earthship builds suitable for our UK / North European type of climate.

    Posted by Mari on 26/02/2009 14:16:54

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39. We tape all of the Grand Design programmes to watch over and over, pausing to consider how things are put together and if we may do things differently. We don’t have pots of money but we have pots of enthusiasm for creating a building that is not only pleasing to look at but also an environmentally friendly home to live in. We watched last nights programme because we are very interested for 2 reasons: first - that the house was built in France and we are just about to start our own French project so thought that we would be able to get some useful information on sourcing building materials etc. Second - the use of recycled/renewable resources. We have considered straw bales and cob and now we can look at using old tyres. Its great that French bureaucracy (usually so stuffy) allows homes like this to be built, their only concern is how the building will sit within the landscape and, recently, that they are thermally sound. This allows for much more freedom when designing your own ‘Place in the Sun’. We already have lots of information on renewable resources such as ground source heat pumps or air to water heat pumps, solar panels and solar gain, water harvesting, eco-friendly waste water systems. Although our place is an old tobacco-drying barn with lots of oak and tiles that we will be recycling (this being part of our planning consent) the replacement building will sit on the land looking like it is still an oak clad barn but inside will be all of the trappings of modern life. Building a sustainable dwelling requires lots of attention to detail and some of the resources are not cheap but, hopefully, we can find plenty of willing volunteers to help keep costs down. Darren and Adi have built their own paradise in Brittany, we are very jealous!

    Posted by Pam on 26/02/2009 14:12:12

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40. I watched the programme last night with great interest. I had heard about houses built with tyres previously, however not in France. The reason for my e-mail is that I live in Brittany and understand that Darren and Adi were looking for volunteers to help with the project. I understand that the house is finished but wondered if they needed any further help, I am willing to do anything and would like to learn more about the project. I am on formation in France, a French government run orientation course, to learn about working in France and to study the language. I have a stage, work experience, coming up on the 9/03/2009 for 3 weeks, which I am fully insured for and we work for free for the metier, the business, and hoped due to my interest in this project whether it would be possible to offer my services to them. I can't find any other details when searching on the net for Darren and Adi. I discussed the programme with a friend today and she thought they might be near the town of Pontivy, which is quite close to where I live, as she had heard of the house, we are both interested in ecological ventures, unfortunately my friend has MS and is in the last stages so she is unable to work physically. We discussed today starting our own business in bee keeping and what products we could then aquire from this, i.e. candle making and natural products and even in the future set up a centre for children to learn and do crafts. I wondered if you could maybe help me in contacting Darren and Adi to see if it's possible to join them for a few weeks in March and lend a hand. I am being pushed to go and do this stage in a supermarket or something similar, which doesn't really interest me, whereas their project does. Perhaps soemone could e-mail me back with a website address or e-mail address so that I could contact them. Thank you in advance for your help and also for your time reading this. Regards Roz Moore

    Posted by Roz Moore on 26/02/2009 13:42:40

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41. I liked the house, but I have to agree that earth-berming in a damp climate seems like an unnecessary risk. With the tyre wall there already two feet thick, I fail to see why they need the extra thermal mass. The sun will be low enough to hit that back wall maybe only two months of the year. If they wanted extra thermal mass, a thicker floor, thicker partition walls, a masonry heater instead of a woodstove, freestanding water tubes etc. could have provided it in a sunnier, i.e. more effective, part of the house without the risk of damp. Other that, nice house! Much more attractive than the average Earthship!

    Posted by stewster on 26/02/2009 13:20:03

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42. enjoyed the programme and the finished house. Here in Scotland we are in the process of supplying tyre blocks for 3 separate house building projects the first to start in April using the blocks for the foundations of a straw bale construction house. the blocks have been primarily used for road construction, riverbank erosion and embankment stabilisation projects all over the UK for the last 9 years. The characteristics of the block are good structural strength, superb drainage built in thermal insulation and cost effective alternative to aggregate. Just to let you know that there is projects going on here in the UK regarding the use of recycled tyres Still a good programme showing the uses for recycled material.

    Posted by D Scott on 26/02/2009 11:46:07

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43. How many of us watching Daren & Adi last night compared our own houses (unfavourably) with theirs? Individuality and a great design, using truly inspirational material choices, made it a fascinating programme. It was great to see such a happy, positive group of people working on the project. As ever, there was not enough coverage of some fairly chunky questions that today's viewers want to know about - the foundations, the damp-proofing, the floor construction, the earth retaining wall, the rain water harvesting etc. I think that Grand Design needs to adapt to take on board the change in emphasis of why we watch these type of programme - we like the detail, we want to know how it works. The message to us all is that great buildings are possible and can be constructed from what would have been called rubbish until recently.

    Posted by steven on 26/02/2009 11:30:03

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44. I have been very interested in Earthships for a long time now. So much so that i have been looking for a plot of land in this counrty to build and live in one. But as Darren and Adi found, the cost of the project (for something that should be very cheep to build) is prohibitably expensive (land costs) and getting planning - very difficult. If you are interested in learning more about the earthship concept you should get hold of a copy of 'Garbage Warrior'. It's a docu. about the originator of the idea, Michael Reynolds. Very interesting and a great insight in to how difficult it is to do something innovative in the USA without have millions of dollars... a concept that translates very well to this country. I know planning restrictions are there for a reason but for those of us who want to live zero carbon lifestyles in a modern society the cards are stacked very much in the favour of those with lots of money. It should not just be the privalege of the rich and well connected.

    Posted by John on 26/02/2009 11:26:22

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45. Great looking house and great programme - very interesting...however, a couple of questions. Firstly, what about ground heave and potential for slippage as the areas predominant ground conditions did appear to be clay which can suffer from shrinkage and expansion unless controlled. Secondly, there did not appear to be any foundations for the tyre wall or the stone wingwalls on the side which I think would become quite a factor in relation to my first question. Anyway just a couple of points of issue but overall a very interesting programme - keep up the good work!

    Posted by SMK on 26/02/2009 09:46:36

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46. A really engaging episode that showed us all that throwing money at the problem isn't the only way to create an inspirational home. I thought the reclaimed kitchen was the highlight, though I thought the overall design was a bit of a Heinz 57 job. The key area that the programme failed to address for us though was the threat of damp. We have a house where part of the structure had been built into an earth bank. The internal walls were phenomenally damp, until we exacavated the earth away. It then took a year for the walls to dry out. There didn't appear to be any substantial foundations in the Brittany build and I didn't see a DPC go down. My sense is that without the ability to get blow through ventilation (i.e windows are on one side only) there is likley to be a lingering earthy mouldy smell in due course, especially as the setting appears to be in fairly leafy glade. Connected to this issue Kevin said at the beginning that the rear of the house would be infilled with earth. Again, from our personal experience we know that soil is a good conductor of damp, and in this case with the combination of earth filled tires and an earth bank behind them (and seemingly no DPC) how will they get round the issue of damp seeping up through the tires and in through the rear wall? It seems as this was glossed over: would love it if someone can back and say this is a non-issue, because the house's eco credentials are outstanding. Well done Kevin and team ,well done Daren and Adi.

    Posted by riverfechlin on 26/02/2009 09:26:50

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47. WOW that house is so amazing. And the way it has been built is truly the perfect balance of individuality, sustainability and beauty. Not to mention the complete functionality of every aspect of the house. Also, i would be very interested in volunteering to help someone build a building like this, so i can see why they managed to find people to help them realise their vision. A brilliant program, a brilliant building and an incredible vision.

    Posted by Emily on 26/02/2009 09:19:51

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48. Wow - I loved the look and strategy of the house, including the bottle walls - the bathroom appeared to be very light. I think Daren and Adi did a great job. Kevin let his (usually very high) standards slip a bit on this one (I don't mean the T-shirt!). The wall and floor damproofing are so important for a house like this - we need an explanation. Also what about heating, and floor insulation? Really enjoyed the programme, as ever.

    Posted by bobadobe on 26/02/2009 09:16:55

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49. A very interesting programme and good to see the featured coupe getting their hands dirty rather than just throwing money at it and 'project managing' via the laptop. My question though is what stopped the rear tyre wall from falling inwards once the earth was piled up behind it? Finally, despite the variety of properties/designs/ locations etc. doesn't the enjoyment factor of any given programme depend on the likeabilty of the participants rather than the project?

    Posted by kevin on 26/02/2009 08:43:30

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50. Hi. how would i get hold of the technical detail for the Brittany Groundhouse? For example floor plan, timber construction, flooring, doors? thanks

    Posted by tim on 26/02/2009 08:19:40

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51. Maybe it is time that Building Control take on board that buildings can be built this way and stop getting bogged down in the petty aspects of a build. So many parts of this build may not get passed in this country, such as the structural integrety of the tyre walls

    Posted by Dave on 26/02/2009 08:12:18

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52. I like the outside architecture of the joined buildings: the sliding glass doors opening into different parts of the house; and inside the house the way they used the recycled glass bottles to decorate it. It is amazing to see how people are ingenuous and gifed with creativity whilst staying true to their life philosophie and style.

    Posted by christelle on 25/02/2009 23:06:42

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53. At last........ Something on the tv worth watching, these people should be an inspiration to us all, making something beautiful from the things our twisted way of life just discards. It was an inspiration to watch and has laid the foundations for our future dream home. Thank you

    Posted by moni moe and mikey on 25/02/2009 22:53:11

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54. I always watch Grand Designs and have just watched,and particularly enjoyed, Daren and Adi build a really lovely home. It felt as though it was lovingly built and it shows in the finished product. It's so inspiring (and refreshing) that people can be so resourceful with their use of materials and yet not compromise on the aesthetics. I thought the finish Daren achieved on the timber in the kitchen and Adi's glass walls were really special. It makes such a change from watching rich, smug people show off while they throw a load of money at a project and moan on about how stressful it all was. Daren and Adi (and their nice volunteers, friends and children) looked as if they enjoyed every minute of it. Well done to them all - I want to build a house just like it!

    Posted by Karen Beard on 25/02/2009 22:29:47

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55. This programme was very interesting but no mention was made of the floors. What were they made from and was there some kind of dampproof course. This may not have been necessesary in Mexico but perhaps it would be in Britany.

    Posted by Dinah Harding on 25/02/2009 22:19:45

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56. I was just wondering where in Brittany this house was as I'd love to have a look in person when I'm there on my hols.

    Posted by cazah on 25/02/2009 22:18:31

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57. The programme about the Brittan Groundhouse was truly inspirational! Splendid! What a tragedy we are not encouraged to build and recycle materials in UK! I live in hope of progress towards change - Planners please take note.

    Posted by Meg McNair on 25/02/2009 22:12:18

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58. i too have a bit of a problem with 'hippy' ideas and designs like kevin has just said - and glass bottle walls - well i just don't know.. but how kevin can criticise a design like that wearing a t-shirt like that i just don't understand. He normally dresses perfectly well. But the purple number with the white bits round the neck. Yuk!Did he think he was fitting in or what? Think the house looks great. Shame about the t-shirt!

    Posted by catherine on 25/02/2009 21:55:25

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59. A great project that we would love to do too, where do we start?

    Posted by Alex on 25/02/2009 21:48:04

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