RK6 Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 (edited) Hey everyone! I’m in the process of buying a ~10 acre plot in Scotland, c/w a very small and very wrecked listed building, and full planning permission for a partially underground house that I plan to completely redesign to suit my needs. I’m a big petrol head, so my build will likely be 60/40 house to garage, possibly even 50/50, but we’ll see how the basement costs stack up. Basic premise is to use the tiny listed building as an entrance down into the new house which will be underneath, helped by the topography of the site. My aim is to completely hide the main house from sight when approaching from the rear so all that can be seen is the tiny listed building, providing a bit of theatre as it opens up when you descend into it. From the garden side, the house will be floor to ceiling glass looking into the surrounding woods, which provide the site with good shelter. I expect the livable area to be 250-300m2. If I can justify the expense of a full-size (or nearly full-size) garage under the living area then that’s exactly what I’ll do. It’s definitely going to be a bit of a whacky build, and for sure it’s going to hurt my wallet, but I think it has potential to be pretty special if I can pull it off…. I’ll do my best to share my progress (both good and bad) over the coming months and years. Very much looking forward to learning from everyone here! Edited August 5, 2021 by RK6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 Good morning and welcome, I like your way of thinking. My girlfriend says I keep ignoring possible plots because I want to build a garage with a house attached. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonner Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 Sounds fantastic! Are you really building underneath the listed property or at a lower level behind it? Look forward to seeing lots of pictures and plans!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 Sounds a really interesting project. I look forward to reading of it's progress. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RK6 Posted August 5, 2021 Author Share Posted August 5, 2021 9 minutes ago, Bonner said: Sounds fantastic! Are you really building underneath the listed property or at a lower level behind it? Look forward to seeing lots of pictures and plans!! It’s likely going to be a bit of both, which means underpinning and all that fun stuff. The dream would be to have an elevator down to the house, but that’s likely a tad OTT. More likely to open a very old looking door on the listed building to find a modern and industrial set of stairs leading straight down into the house, which means the house can be pushed forward a little, rather than building directly underneath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfie Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 This sounds impressive! Looking forward to following the progress. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 2 hours ago, RK6 said: ... My aim is to completely hide the main house from sight when approaching from the rear so all that can be seen is the tiny listed building, providing a bit of theatre as it opens up when you descend into it. ... Hello. You are most welcome. Ahhhhhh, the imagineering phase of a build. Something to wallow in, enjoy, chat through with mates - mull over in a traffic jam or waiting for train. Brilliant time. I look forward to the first post you write about the topographical survey and the geophysical survey. (£2500 for us : 8 cores and lab analysis) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roys Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 Sounds like a great build, I spend more time in my workshop than I do in the house. Where roughly are you in Scotland, no need to say if you don’t want to. Good luck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 3 hours ago, RK6 said: Hey everyone! I’m in the process of buying a ~10 acre plot in Scotland, c/w a very small and very wrecked listed building, and full planning permission for a partially underground house that I plan to completely redesign to suit my needs. I’m a big petrol head, so my build will likely be 60/40 house to garage, possibly even 50/50, but we’ll see how the basement costs stack up. Basic premise is to use the tiny listed building as an entrance down into the new house which will be underneath, helped by the topography of the site. My aim is to completely hide the main house from sight when approaching from the rear so all that can be seen is the tiny listed building, providing a bit of theatre as it opens up when you descend into it. From the garden side, the house will be floor to ceiling glass looking into the surrounding woods, which provide the site with good shelter. I expect the livable area to be 250-300m2. If I can justify the expense of a full-size (or nearly full-size) garage under the living area then that’s exactly what I’ll do. It’s definitely going to be a bit of a whacky build, and for sure it’s going to hurt my wallet, but I think it has potential to be pretty special if I can pull it off…. I’ll do my best to share my progress (both good and bad) over the coming months and years. Very much looking forward to learning from everyone here! You are familiar with Underhill House, which is a similar vision? https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/apr/10/top-uk-eco-homes-underhill-house-gloucestershire There was a GD about it: Also this one in Bakewell is concealed from the road at the top https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grand-designs-couple-spend-16-670402 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpd Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 Sounds great, a photo of the site would help fill in my imagination gaps ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_r_sole Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 Sounds exciting, I'd like to hear about the budget! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RK6 Posted August 6, 2021 Author Share Posted August 6, 2021 17 hours ago, ToughButterCup said: Hello. You are most welcome. Ahhhhhh, the imagineering phase of a build. Something to wallow in, enjoy, chat through with mates - mull over in a traffic jam or waiting for train. Brilliant time. I look forward to the first post you write about the topographical survey and the geophysical survey. (£2500 for us : 8 cores and lab analysis) That’s my job for next week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RK6 Posted August 6, 2021 Author Share Posted August 6, 2021 @Roys My plot is in the North East, which is where I’m from, although I’m currently living overseas. @Ferdinand I’m a big fan of Grand Designs, and have seen both of those episodes. Solid inspiration for sure. I was tempted to ping them about this project, but I quite like my privacy. Not sure how I’d feel about telling the world where I live. @Cpd I should have a friend flying a drone over the site in the next week or so. I’ll follow up with some pics then. @the_r_sole best name I’ve seen in a while. Well played! Budget hasn’t been finalized yet, but I’m expecting this to sting. My hope is that I can do it for 1.25M, but that figure just came directly from my r_sole. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Re: Grand Designs. Generally, don't. Imo. Find a more sympathetic programme that won't put your build into play to create a storyline. GD are quite notorious for that. If you do, have a couple of pre-manufactured crises lined up with pre-identified answers. Like a diversionary Nasher Stick for your doglet. Isn't there a 'best in Scotland' thing on TV somewhere, or two. But perhaps they are more egalitarian and your build is exceptional ? . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennentslager Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 The Nissan showroom by the M8 has a fancy car elevator over 6/7 storeys, glass walled to show of the cars so very doable. I returned a hire car in Japan and was shocked to drive it into an elevator and go up to the 8th floor to return it. Locals didn't bat an eyelid... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RK6 Posted August 6, 2021 Author Share Posted August 6, 2021 @Ferdinand I’d rather just quietly get it done then move in an enjoy it, but I’m a big fan of the show so the thought has crossed my mind a few times. @Tennentslager a car elevator would be utterly amazing, but that’s definitely going to be a hugely expensive item. I was however thinking that opening a heritage door on the small building to find brushed steel elevator doors behind it would be amazing. And a personnel lift would likely be much more affordable than a massive car lift. I’m definitely enjoying the daydreaming phase of this project, but it’s very nearly time to get real. It’ll be interesting to see how many of my whacky ideas make it into the final build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelvin Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 And i’m a bit worried about boreholes and drainage. ? Sounds awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RK6 Posted August 7, 2021 Author Share Posted August 7, 2021 Here are a few pics of the listed Doo’cot (pigeon house) and muddy field. Hoping to have some aerial pics, and full survey data in the coming weeks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RK6 Posted August 7, 2021 Author Share Posted August 7, 2021 7 hours ago, Kelvin said: And i’m a bit worried about boreholes and drainage. ? Sounds awesome I've got all of that fun and games to look forward to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Valley Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 What a fantastic site. Anyway enough of the construction on a build forum - what cars have you got that need such elaborate garaging? ? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 That listed building looks fragile and a money pit to try and build literally underneath it. I would be keeping it as a folly, and building the new house close to it but not right under it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 (edited) Yes, I remember that grand designs build, A right nightmare IMO it would have been better to take the old building down, build under it then carefully re construct it on top, LOADS cheaper. (Yes what cars do you have????) it it grade 1 or 2 listed. Edited August 7, 2021 by joe90 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roys Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Give it a year or so and the building will be down on its own accord anyway, ? This looks like a fantastic project. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RK6 Posted August 7, 2021 Author Share Posted August 7, 2021 @ProDave— that’s definitely a worry, but I’m fairly set on my plan to use it as the entrance down into the house, so I’ll have to find a way to make it work. @joe90 it’s grade 2 listed, and the main stipulation from the planning dept is that the Doocot needs to remain the prominent feature of the plot, hence building below. For everyone asking what cars I have, I’m actually starting from scratch after selling them all to fund a business when I left the UK a few years back. I love older stuff, so I’m starting my new collection with a restomod 911, and perhaps a 308 GTB or 512 TR for something a little more unique. I’m also big into my bikes, so a chunk of the garage will be reserved for storing and tinkering with them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RK6 Posted August 7, 2021 Author Share Posted August 7, 2021 (edited) Saying "them" made it sound like I sold a huge collection. I didn't, I sold 2 cars and 2 bikes. Edited August 7, 2021 by RK6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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