Self Builders’ Own Stories

MEET Shoba Kumar and Architect Allister Godfrey

Saturday - time TBC

Wunschhaus is based on a design by New York based firm Desai Chia. Literally translated as ‘dream house,’ it 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.

The team at Allister Godfrey Architects set about simplifying the design whilst retaining its original design intent. One key change was the decision to switch from cross-laminated timber to SIPs. The team also encountered a problem with a deep concrete pool on the site. As its removal was unfeasible environmentally and economically, it was left intact and formed into a pseudo basement. These amendments meant reapplying for planning permission, which was approved, and the project moved forward. As Hari and Jacqueline were based abroad, their daughter Shoba was not only the eyes and ears for the project, but the interior designer.

Inside, this modern single-storey home is filled with natural light and high-quality materials. In contrast to an expansive main living area, other rooms are more contained with framed views of the landscaped gardens beyond. A few steps lead to the master bedroom, making it a separate space.

The house was finished in January 2023 and truly was a dream home for Hari and Jacqueline. As a bonus, the project came in £8,000 under their original budget, and was recognised for its excellence later that year 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 -time TBC

Vincent Denecker bought his brick-built house in Abingdon, Oxfordshire in 1995, and found himself needing more space and better insulation. He considered improving the property and applied for planning permission for an extension in 2010, later deciding the best option was to demolish and rebuild.

Vincent 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. The council eventually came back with some conditions, one of which required the construction of a new bat home after the surprising discovery of the creatures in the existing building.

A team from Jackson Building Supplies was drafted in to start on the construction of the mass concrete foundations with 600mm-wide footings. Frame Work Synergies arrived to install the timber frame. Prefabricated offsite, the panels feature 180mm-thick insulation, covered with a vapour-preamble waterproof membrane. The structure was erected in just two weeks. After the shell was complete, Idealcombi windows and glazed doors were installed.

A year after the build commenced, Vincent’s new, highly efficient property was complete with a stylish, contemporary look. He couldn’t be happier with his new home but isn’t ruling out undertaking another self build in the future. Meet Vincent and Opinder to find out more about this stunning project, live at the Workshop Theatre.