Self Builders’ Own Stories

MEET Shoba Kumar and Architect Allister Godfrey

Saturday - 12.30pm

Wunschhaus is set in one of the oldest villages in the UK on a secluded site that was once part of the extensive gardens of the adjacent listed Grade II house.

Taken on by the team at Allister Godfrey Architects, one key change was the decision to switch the original design from cross-laminated timber to SIPs. As Hari and Jacqueline were based abroad, their daughter Shoba was not only the eyes and ears for the project, but the interior designer.

The result is a modern single-storey home filled with natural light and high-quality materials, which was later recognised for its excellence at the highly respected ‘Build It Awards,’ where Allister Godfrey collected the top prize for ‘Best Self Build Architect for Support’. Join Allister and Shoba to find out more about this inspiring project, live at the Workshop Theatre.

Image: Ellie Walpole Photographer

MEET Vincent Denecker and Architect Opinder Liddar

Sunday - 12.30pm

Vincent Denecker bought his brick-built house in Abingdon, Oxfordshire in 1995, and found himself needing more space and better insulation. He reached out to Opinder Liddar from lapd Architects, who suggested putting together a mood board. The idea was a modern home with clean lines, plenty of natural light and excellent energy efficiency, and plans were submitted for a spacious, timber frame home with acrylic render and Siberian larch accents. Steel frame windows, charcoal guttering and a slate roof completed the exterior.

A year after the build commenced, Vincent’s new, highly efficient property was complete with a stylish, contemporary look. Meet Vincent and Opinder to find out more about this stunning project, live at the Workshop Theatre.