Selfbuilder_and_Homemaker_-_September_-_October_2019

HIGH POINT

“The glass coming in, it

was a nice sunny day,

although it was hard

work. We had a lot of

goodwill from everybody,

Paul from CPS Lifts with

the robot machine came

for the whole day and

didn’t charge us for it.”

–Andy Ball

Recovery (MVHR) system. This surprisingly
spacious provision for services delights
engineers, Sarah says.
The kitchen/dining/living area to the rear takes
up the full width of the house, the back wall
being a sliding eight metre-wide set of three
oversized glazed doors. The design nominally
breaks down this large space following the lines
of the glass panels, dividing the area into a third
each for the kitchen, the central dining area, and
the lounge/living area – each being very
generous spaces in themselves.
Despite their size, the glass panels open
relatively easily thanks to the AluK system
used, which is the first installed triple-track
variant by the manufacturer AluFoldDirect. Its
thin frames maximise the view of the garden,
still to be landscaped but already benefitting
from a wall separating it from the park visually
and acoustically. Solar control glass avoids
overheating – essential as an alternative to
brise soleil as the living space is south facing –
and space has been left for blinds to be
installed later.
The kitchen is divided from the dining/lounge
area by a huge white Corian-topped island,
which is Sarah’s pride and joy in this space. The
top and sides are jointed, but appear as one
solid piece of material thanks to meticulous
finishing by the supplier; the island also houses a
drinks cabinet.

Sandwiched between the wall to the

downstairs WC (which features Roman-style

geometric black and white tiles), and the wall to

the kitchen behind, is the simple enclosed

staircase. Being somewhat hidden when you

enter the house, it has the effect of revealing

another glimpse of green from the cantilevered

bay window on the landing above, which

overlooks trees. It’s “like a tree house,” says

Sarah, and brings extra light into what could

have been a slightly murky space. She adds that

this was “part of the original plan,” and one

they stuck to. Further improving light to the first

floor corridor are a couple of rooflights, which

were easy to include thanks to having a flat

roof above.

The stair is a standard solution, necessitated

by the fact the builder put a steel here which

couldn’t be easily moved, but it was a highly

cost-effective result, coming in at only £340. It’s

one key example of how the couple made big

savings on some aspects that helped them

spend money elsewhere.

There are three large bedrooms, all with

ensuites. One for their grandsons over the

office, with the same tall window, plus a side

window overlooking the trees, where squirrels

playing often provide great entertainment. The

guest bedroom sits above the garage, with a

large window which continues into the ensuite,

but is frosted for privacy, This is also the case in

42www.sbhonline.co.uk september/october 2019