Grand Designs: The Street - Terry and Olwen
Category: Press Pack ArticlePLOT 1: THE BLUE HOUSE
NAMES: Terry, 65, and Olwen, 77
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 2
STARTED: APRIL 2017
FINISHED: SEPTEMBER 2018
BUILD ESTIMATE: £280K
FINAL BUILD COST: £335K
The oldest couple on the street, Terry and Olwen live in a quiet village in Northamptonshire. Terry has some building experience and wants to build his own home – while his body is still up to the hardships of construction.
The couple plan to build a bespoke, future-proofed, giant wedge of a house, which Terry will project manage and build himself. This is a huge physical challenge, but should save the couple a fortune on labour. If successful, Terry and Olwen will have built a stand-out home that’s hard to imagine could be built anywhere but on this street.
Whilst building their own home, Terry and Olwen will be helping their friend and current neighbour Lynn (Plot 2), who is following them to site and building her own home on the plot next door. However, lacking any building experience, Lynn’s forced to rely on Terry for help. Will their friendship and ageing bodies survive the self-build experience?