A Self-Built Contemporary Flat Roof Home: Mike and Jane's Journey
"Transforming the most dilapidated residence on the block: A couple's endeavor to convert a shabby cottage into a breathtaking dwelling"
Mike and Jane embarked on a remarkable self-build journey to transform a small, dark double garage into a contemporary flat roof home inspired by Mediterranean and US West Coast architecture. The couple, who live with their two young children, a dog, and a cat, faced several challenges but managed to create a highly personalized living space without the aid of a project manager.
The Beginning
In 2015, Mike and Jane purchased a property marketed as a cottage on two acres, but in reality, it was a humble double garage with a kitchenette and two small bedrooms upstairs. Undeterred, they saw potential in the property and decided to take on the challenge of renovating it themselves.
Key Challenges
Self-build renovations often come with their own set of hurdles. For Mike and Jane, these included skipping or inadequate planning, design and technical detail risks, managing timelines and contractors, budget management, and niggling mistakes. Without professional guidance, they had to navigate these challenges carefully to ensure the project's success.
Tips for Success
To overcome these challenges, Mike and Jane developed a detailed plan, prioritised design detail and contractual clarity, sought expert input where necessary, built flexibility for minor adjustments, maintained strong communication with contractors and suppliers, researched local permit requirements, and budgeted conservatively.
The Transformation
The couple spent a significant portion of their budget on buying the property, as only permitted development rights existed for the small structure. They managed to overcome the lack of professional planning by seeking expert advice and carefully defining the scope of the project.
The rear of the house features extensive glazing, offering stunning views of the outdoor space. A dedicated boot room is a practical addition to the floorplan, providing a space for the family's outdoor gear. The family lived on the construction site during the initial design and build phase, making it a truly hands-on project for them.
The games room, a fun addition to the house, features triple bunk beds that the couple made themselves. The wine storage is another of their own designs. The hallway is formed from parts of the original house, blending the old with the new.
The roof was finished with a rubber membrane, and the exterior house cladding is a combination of ash boards and white render. A bespoke staircase gives the space a contemporary feel, while the exterior of the renovated house features white render and timber cladding, evoking the LA West Coast architecture that inspired the design.
Corner sliding doors are a key feature of the new house, creating an indoor-outdoor living space that was high on Mike and Jane's wishlist. The separate games room, dedicated boot room, and extensive glazing all contribute to this seamless connection between the house and the outdoors.
The steel and timber frame extensions were constructed on standard concrete strip foundations. The previous small cottage now sits at the center of the redesigned house, offering a charming focal point in the open-plan living area.
In a self-build journey, successful couples often combine thorough preparation, external expert input where critical, and hands-on management to create a highly personalized, efficient contemporary flat roof home without a dedicated project manager. This approach provides rewarding control but demands careful oversight and awareness of common pitfalls. Mike and Jane's self-build project is a testament to the rewards of taking on such a challenge.
- In 2015, Mike and Jane purchased a property with a small double garage, planning to transform it into a contemporary flat roof home.
- The couple faced challenges such as inadequate planning, design and technical detail risks, managing timelines and contractors, budget management, and niggling mistakes during their self-build journey.
- To overcome these challenges, Mike and Jane developed a detailed plan, prioritized design detail and contractual clarity, sought expert input where necessary, built flexibility for minor adjustments, maintained strong communication with contractors and suppliers, researched local permit requirements, and budgeted conservatively.
- The roof of their new home was finished with a rubber membrane, while the exterior house cladding is a combination of ash boards and white render.
- The games room, a fun addition to the house, features triple bunk beds that the couple made themselves.
- The rear of the house features extensive glazing, offering stunning views of the outdoor space and creating an indoor-outdoor living space that was high on Mike and Jane's wishlist.
- The separate games room, dedicated boot room, and extensive glazing all contribute to the seamless connection between the house and the outdoors.
- Mike and Jane's self-build project, inspired by Mediterranean and US West Coast architecture, is a testament to the rewards of taking on such a challenge, providing a highly personalized, efficient contemporary flat roof home without the aid of a project manager.
