Grand Designs: The Street - James and Shannon
Category: Press Pack ArticlePLOT 5: THE BARN HOUSE
NAMES: JAMES, 31, AND SHANNON, 28
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 2
STARTED: OCTOBER 2016
FINISHED: TBC
BUILD ESTIMATE: £200K-£250K
FINAL ESTIMATED BUILD COST: £330K
James and Shannon live in a house on a new-build estate in the Midlands. Despite this suburban environment, they keep chickens and aspire to live ‘the good life’. Their dream design also reflects this passion and is inspired by local agricultural steel-framed barns.
James, a quantity surveyor, and Shannon, an administrator, hope to build a house that will reflect their personalities, where they can grow their own vegetable garden and have a family.
However, plans quickly go awry when Shannon leaves James. The pressure begins to mount: James’ job is demanding, and he is no longer able to give the build the attention it needs, forcing him to pay more for labour. Constructing this great house, on his own could do more than just put a roof over his head: It could have the potential to rebuild his shaken self-esteem.