Building

· What is AITH all about?
Architect in the House is a fantastic scheme run by Shelter and the Royal Institute of British Architects. Basically, the general public make a donation to Shelter in exchange for an hour of a local architects time to give a design consultation about their home. Its a great way of raising money for Shelter, while also giving the opportunity for homeowners to see the architectural potential of their home.
· What’s the benefit of an architect – isn’t a builder …

Over the next few months I’m going to be taking a look at very different, but typical home types throughout Britain from the common bungalow to the Victorian terrace and city apartment. The range of property types we have in this country all pose different problems and opportunities depending on our budget and personal lifestyles. This month we are starting with one of my own particular favourites; the 1960/70’s 3-bedroom semi.
I love the homes of the 60’s and 70’s. Ok, technically they weren’t the best houses in the street as …

Ten years ago I bought my first ever home, a tiny one-bedroom cottage in the most idyllic part of North Dorset. From a mile away it looked like the perfect ‘play school’ home, you know the one I mean, white painted render on the outside, front door in the middle of the house with two sash windows downs stairs and two upstairs and a simple slate pitched roof with chimneys at either end gently billowing smoke over the Vale, perfect. Well, not really.The closer you got to the house the …

Converting your garage into space for the home is a great way of adding value to your property.
Its new use really depends on the rooms that currently adjoin the garage and your specific needs of your family.
If your living room is next door then you have a chance to knock through and make a much larger living space.
The same applies to a larger kitchen so you could make an open-plan kitchen and dining area.
If you want it as a completely separate space then it could be made into a beautiful …