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Design guru Kevin McCloud answers those all important questions to help and inspire you to turn your home rennovation into a piece of architectural brilliance.
What is the next big trend in building design?
Building design isn't trendy. Rem Koolhaas, the architect, said that it takes so long to design a building that by the time you've finished, the trend you were aspiring to will have passed. Whereas in fashion and clothing it's possible to predict trends because the industry is run by a small, influential group of large companies, the world of architecture is just a collection of hundreds of thousands of people in small offices. Occasionally trends happen, with, for example, new materials, but no one can see into the future to see when this will happen.
What is the most important bit to ‘get right'/spend your budget on when undertaking your own development project?
Very easy - spend the money on the bones. Spend the money on the stuff that is there for ever, not the frippery like kitchens and bathrooms which can be replaced. Think of the architecture, glazing and core materials.
What is prefabricated housing and why is it becoming more popular?
It is what it says it is - it's made in a factory in big chunks and then transported to site. It's not still as big as it could be with self builders, although we're beginning to see companies like Huf and Baufritz beginning to pick up business in the UK. The big growth area however is mass, volume housing. The development industry is now racing to embrace this as a response to Lord Egan's housing report of a few years ago, in which traditional construction methods were slated for being too primitive. Having said that, no one is building anything right now!
What is the most disastrous project you've ever seen? What happened?
Grand Designs...on a boat...in the Medway...no architect, no plan, no drawings, no idea. He believed in the principle of synchronicity and the nature of serendipity - he believed if he waited things would fall in to his lap. It was a good programme though and delightful people, but I did keep asking myself why we were making a film about this project. The thing that made me froth was that it attempted to defy the process of design, which has been tried and tested over hundreds of years.
What is the biggest waste of money you've ever seen someone spend on a property?
You can spend half a million pounds on foundations which you never see, but is that a waste? You could argue that it is easier to find a site which is better to build on.
What is the most common mistake people make when building a property?
I think the most common mistake is the absence of planning and forethought and making sure things are going to work which is all part of the design process. It's all about the preparation. Most people spend a year preparing, and often the building takes 2 years. It is better to do this the other way round and spend the time on planning.
If you could build your dream house what would it be like?
The point about dreams is that they tent to be rather vague, they're not fully formed and so when I think about my dream house I think about experiences I want to have...I want a veranda to be able to sit on, watch the setting sun & feel the breeze on my face. I want a house that is easy to clean, not overblown and not expensive to heat. Because I live in the countryside, I want a building which encourages me to have a fully formed relationship with the environment. It gives me an opportunity to not just be inside or outside, but in a range of contexts...that can mean opening a sliding door and letting the breeze come into the building, or sitting on the veranda with an awning extending your living space.
How do you go about finding a good architect?
You ring up the RIBA; go onto their website www.architecture.com and they have a finding service to introduce you to architects in your area. The hard way is research architects websites, find out whose work you admire, but the most important thing is to meet them and make sure they can work with you and share your vision.
How do you go about finding good builders?
I really don't know - call me when you do!
Should you employ a project manager or if you do it yourself what tips do you have?
I have a really good tip - if you can afford it employ a project manager! Sometimes architects are good at it; sometimes a contractor will employ a main guy. You can cut the cake many different ways but however you do it I always advise getting the professionals in - you are not putting up a shelf!
How do you go about finding a plot of land in the UK and where is a good place to look?
Go to plotfinder.co.uk. In my book (Grand Designs Handbook) my killer tip is once you decide on an area, buy a bicycle. You get to know the area, the locals and find out what land is for sale.
What features should you install which will guarantee a good return on investment if ever you were to sell?
You need to think about investing in the economy of the building. People often make the mistake of building complicated homes; meaning when they sell it people can't look after it. You should really be thinking about the flexibility of the building, forging a connection with the environment. Ultimately you should be investing in features to reduce your energy consumption so you have a building that is cheap to run and easy to look after.
Is it easier to build from scratch or to renovate?
If you can afford to, it is always easier to build from scratch.
Is there any website you recommend to try and find old ruins/listed buildings etc , ideal for restoration projects?
I would recommend looking on www.savebritainsheritage.org. You can also check on the buildings at risk register, and if you are a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings www.spab.org.uk you can access their property list online.
