Self Builders’ Own Stories
Self Builders’ Own Stories is an opportunity to hear from people who have already completed a self build or renovation project. Hear real self builders and renovators talking about how they went about creating the home of their dreams.
Learn from their mistakes, hear their top tips and ask them questions about their experiences. Take a look at the projects that were discussed at previous shows and head back here soon for an update on the Bicester schedule. You can also take a look at some more real self builder projects, via Build It’s dedicated website.
Head over to the Graven Hill Zone too, to hear from real life self builders who’ve completed their project on the UK’s first large-scale self build scheme.
Saturday at 11am
Meet Chris and Jenny Shepperd
Chris and Jenny Shepperd worked with Frame Technologies to create a stunning and contemporary five-bed, two-storey house set in a spectacular location in Warwickshire. The house boasts a timber frame, clad in stone, with some fibre cement cladding and a slate roof. As well as being highly efficient, it incorporates beautiful features, such as a floating curved staircase, external balconies and a vaulted ceiling over the kitchen.
Saturday & Sunday at 2pm
Meet James & Caroline Sharp
As long-term residents of an idyllic Hampshire village, James and Caroline Sharp were keen to stay in the area when they decided to build a new house. They discovered a large, flat plot on the outskirts of the village, with planning permission in place, so jumped at the chance to buy it. The couple brought in Studio 4 Architects and English Brothers to come up with an open and family-friendly design that would deliver the character and wow factor of oak frame. Now, the Sharps have a light-filled and modern home that encourages healthy, low-bills living.
Sunday at 11am
Meet Tania Gibson
Blending in with the surrounding countryside was key when Tania Gibson decided to build her own environmentally-friendly home. Located in Buckinghamshire, Tania demolished a leaky, draughty bungalow in order to make way for a sleek and contemporary kit home. For the task, Tania chose HebHomes, an award-winning company creating off-the-peg kit homes that incorporate the latest eco-friendly construction materials. She now owns a beautiful, light-filled property with walls of glass that allow for unobstructed landscape vistas.
Saturday at 12.15pm, Graven Hill Zone
Meet Darren & Christine Adams
Having renovated properties in the past, Darren and Christine got stuck in with their self build project at Graven Hill, taking a hands-on approach once they had found a plot that suited their requirements. Initially, the couple were considering a timber frame structure, but after consulting their architect they chose brick and block. As well as being very structurally sound, they found this traditional method to be cheaper and more aesthetically pleasing.
Sunday at 12.15pm, Graven Hill Zone
Meet Robert Dunoyer
Since he was a teenager, Robert had dreamt of building his own home, but never thought he’d have the opportunity to do so. Then in 2019, after living and working in Dubai for 11 years, Robert decided the time had come to move back to the UK and pursue his self build aspirations. While searching for plots, he discovered Graven Hill, and now is the proud owner of a three-bedroom detached home, built almost entirely with his own hands.
