lapd Architects (a company based at Culham Science Centre) are involved with the self-build development Graven Hill, as seen on Grand Designs: The Street.
You may have caught the new Grand Designs show ‘The Street’ on Channel 4 that follows the first ten self-builders to build their dream homes at Graven Hill. Graven Hill is an old MoD site in Bicester that Cherwell Council have transformed into the largest self-build community the UK has ever seen. The potential that Graven Hill provides for high quality housing which is designed around the self-builder’s life is unparalleled, and provides an important avenue for the future of high-quality residential buildings in the UK.
How does it work?
At Graven Hill planning is relaxed, with each plot having a plot passport which streamlines the process. Plots also come with golden brick, or in other words they include ground floor slab, foundations and amenities (attracting a zero rating for VAT). This flexibility not only helps with the cost of self-building but also encourages the build itself to completely revolve around the life and vision of the self-builder. Whilst there is a lot of drama on the Grand Designs show the reality is quite different, with self-build architects like lapd working with clients and other professionals such as structural engineers and contractors to complete builds on time and on budget. No need to fallout with your neighbours or build your house with your own bare hands (unless you really want to)!
lapd Architects at Graven Hill
lapd Architects are involved at Graven Hill in many ways. They have several self-build clients undergoing the Graven Hill process towards their dream home at the moment, and are involved with Apartment Block E, 104 low energy sustainable apartments. lapd Architects are also the designers of Build Its Self-Build education house, a pioneering real-life project designed to give self-builders a unique insight into the process of self-building your own bespoke home
Want to find out more about self-build opportunities at Graven Hill, Oxfordshire and beyond? Don’t hesitate to call lapd Architects on 01865 407722, email them on enquiry@lapdarchitects.co.uk, visit them at Building F5 Culham Science Centre or on their website at www.lapdarchitects.co.uk
