Grand Designs Episode Information Ross-on-Wye: The Story

Date Published:

10/06/2008

Jane talks about the motivation behind the build, her impressions of her new home and how she might have tackled the task better.

What inspired you to take on this build?

We had seen this barn with its red doors from the vantage point in the village over the years and jokingly said we would love to live there - never thinking it might happen. In 2002 Robert was very ill and one of the images that kept him going was the barn in the early morning - he had a photo of it beside the bed.

After he recovered we realised that our existing house was too large for us now that the children had flown the nest and also wanted a less demanding garden as we had two acres of English garden.

The site is outstanding, the first time we went up to the barn battling through 68 old vehicles and nettles and brambles and stood looking out over the view to the south it was a coup de foudre! A 360 degree view in an area of outstanding natural beauty, no pylons, no chance of buildings, just sheep.

We came to the decision slowly - barn conversions are not taken on lightly and we had been involved in two smaller ones earlier. We knew the problems and had said after the last one never again.

How has your Grand Design changed your life?

The project was like riding a tiger, you stay on to the end or he might eat you.

We had decided that the barn and its site demanded the best we could give it, an opportunity like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

We wanted to conserve the structure, changing or interfering with it as little as possible. We wanted to create a departure from a normal barn conversion but find an exciting but enduring solution to turning the barn into a dwelling. We saw it as spaces and activities, not rooms.

The project was life changing, after a wrong start with a builder who turned out not to be what he said he was, I took the huge decision to manage project myself. This meant putting any other life on hold for 18 months, as I also did my own subcontracting. Most smaller builders these days don't employ anyone, you then know who you will be working with. We had to get a planning change to build the road and the utilities gave problems from the outset.

The project was challenging, exhilarating and exhausting, keeping so much in your head and bringing in the concept at a price you can afford and the quality you want.

Which design features are you most proud of and why?

English Heritage in a recent article state that they worry about the domestic clutter incorporated in and surrounding many agricultural developments. I think we have created, an evolution of the building - hiding nothing of its history, its patina of age and use and adding only what is necessary to conserve the fabric for the next 200 years.

I love the fact that all our structural works interfere so little with the natural materials and look. The barn has been there hundreds of years and still looks that way - I didn't want 'pub' pointing and farm house 'tweeness'. This is a strong powerful building, like a Tuscan hill farm. I wanted to retain this mass footprint in the landscape.

The design was to incorporate old with new, light with dark. The special layout of the spaces within the barn work! Deliberately our new interior additions are separated from the old structure by a light grey margin, this is in varying materials according to the position, steel mesh, grey steel , deliberate gaps, glass and space.

I enjoy using a variety of materials; stone, steel, oak, walnut, glass, lacquer. Their visual appearance is satisfying to the eye and creates an experience of calm. Creating this look of simplicity has been the most difficult aspect of the barn however we think the hard work has finally paid off.

What room is your favourite and how do you use it?

The sitting room upstairs has for us the main wow factor. The space incorporates the impressive timber and steel roof structure juxtaposed against glass and the oak floor. We adore the views - to sit in the early evening looking out over this wonderful landscape is heaven.

Do you have any regrets and if so what would you have done differently?

The best advice is to employ the professionals - We did and it turned out in some respects not to work. Architects have a different agenda to the domestic client. In reality we built a prototype incorporating new into and on to old structures. This is one of the most difficult things to do.

We employed two quantity surveyors, an architectural practice and a structural and civil engineer. We employed three specialist consultants in environmental issues, energy efficiencies, and site utility functions.

We still got elements wrong. Despite our best intentions, the architect specified something that could never have been built for the budget. The industry practise for domestic work, to employ the professionals separately is costly and time consuming. A design and build practice for domestic clients would be much more efficient and cost effective and encourage domestic clients to use architects; I wish I could practice this.

What do your friends and family think of the project and what impact has it had on them?

Brave! Mad, typical, just as you should be taking it easy! Family always knew I would finish, lots of friends made ominous noises about bankruptcy. The project made an impact on our younger children, no parties and no home to go back to for eighteen months. Now they have seen the finished house they love it and all want to come and look.

What three words sum up your home?

Strong. Exciting. Works.