Design advice

Creating a Lifetime Home
From children flying the nest to the inevitability of old age, your family’s living requirements will be constantly evolving. Michael Holmes shows how a few simple alterations to your design could create the only home you’ll ever need.

Building on a Sloping Site
In certain areas, a sloping site is the norm and in fact adds to the appeal for that region — as with slopes come views. But they don’t come cheaply and the greater the slope on the land, the more it’s going to cost to build on it.

Creating the Perfect Entrance Hallway
A well-designed hallway will set the right tone for the rest of your home. Natasha Brinsmead explains how it’s done, including solutions to some of the common problems that occur when designing an entrance hall.

How to Build in a Flood Zone
In an ideal world, no one would build in a flood zone, but with such competition for land, compromises have to be made. So whether you have the luxury of creating a riverside retreat - or are simply building on a floodplain - Mark Brinkley offers advice on how to build in a flood zone.

What makes an Award-winning Home?
If you’re wondering just what makes a good home truly great then read on. Michael Holmes reveals what you can learn from the class of 2009, and some of the emerging design trends to follow.

Advice on House Design
A good design is the basis for everything that can be good about a self-build project. Jason Orme explains how to approach this critical issue

Smaller Homes: The Next Big Thing?
Architect and author Sarah Susanka discusses the merits of quality over
quanitity in house design, and why it's important to work out how you
want to use your living space at the beginning of the design process

Character Building - The Evolving House
Recreating the renovations of the past is a great way of making a new home look authentically old, says Clive Fewins

Design Problems and Their Solutions
Michael Holmes reveals the clever design solutions that will help you spot the hidden potential of any site

Self-building for your Special Needs
Disabled, looking ahead to old age, or elderly family members coming to live with you? Whatever your situation, David Snell explains how self-building provides a unique chance to get a home tailored just for you

Design Solutions for Sloping Sites
Developing a sloping site costs more than building on level ground but can inspire some spectacular design solutions, says David Snell

Big Ideas for Small Sites
A narrow or awkwardly shaped plot may pose limitations on the shape of your new homes footprint, but should not be allowed to limit your design ambitions, says David Snell

How to get the most from your House Designer
There are many different ways in which to design your self-build project, but how do you know which route is best for you?

Character Building - Jettied Upper Storeys
Projecting upper storeys have been around since the 16th century, but it is only recently that the benefits of space efficiency and exterior appeal have made them popular again, as Clive Fewins discovers

Contemporary Designs In Sensitive Areas
The waterside site of O’Sullivan House in Salcombe, Devon, falls within both an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and a Coastal Preservation Area

Sound Advice
Not only is the world a noisier place to live nowadays, but the way we construct homes is worse from a soundproofing point of view. Mark Brinkley explains the possible solutions