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GRAND DESIGNS
Grand Designs - Find Out More From Episode 1, The Cheltenham House
In the first episode of the series, Kevin McCloud meets a couple who built an eco-friendly house underground. But what drove them to such drastic measures, how does it work as a home, and would they do it again? We spoke to Tim Bawtree to find out.
What was your mission?
'Our mission was to prove that building an eco house should not be any more expensive than any other type of building. We also wanted one that was safe, functional and had a splash of glamour.'
Why go underground?
'When we purchased our Regency town house in Cheltenham, we had a rare opportunity, which came from the long garden with access at the end of it, which until 40 years ago had a coach house and stables on it. This was the initial basis we approached the planners.'
'However, due to the town house being Grade II* listed, which is one off Grade 1 (the most restrictive), we had the added complication of convincing local and regional conservation officers of our Grand Design. After a number of meetings it was clear that we could build approximately the same size as the original stables above ground.'
'This was not big enough to house our family. We had to find a way of giving us more living space, so going underground was the only option. In hindsight, this approach is not for the faint-hearted.'
'Building underground has some excellent theory behind it. Natural thermal insulation is one good reason - the ground keeps a constant temperature, ranging between 10-12 degrees. This same natural insulation also became our heat source, when we drilled a hole 150mm wide by 58 meters deep then connecting it to our ground source heat pump.'
Could UK planners and housebuilders take on your concept?
'I would like to think that through the TV show planners can see how little our underground house impacts on our immediate surrounds. In fact, I would encourage any interested planners to come and visit our home and see for themselves. I think it is great credit to the Cheltenham Planners and Conservation Department that they took on board our crazy ideas and worked with us to achieve our goal.'
Does it take a particular mindset to be able to live underground?
'When we started this project we had no idea if we, as a family, would like living underground. Kevin even called us 'The Troglodytes'. Having lived in a few interesting places in my years in London, including a few basement apartments, they always seemed starved of natural light. So, from the start, I think our mindsets where very negative about the amount of natural light we where going to have access to.'
'However, now we are living in our new home, it is actually an amazing feel. It is safe, secure, warm, quiet and, most importantly, amazingly light. Can we get the general public to get this sort of living? I think a visit to our house would more than convince.'
