Ep 2. East Sussex: The Boat House

Grand Designs season 16 episode 2 takes us to East Sussex where we are introduced to a unique project - The Boat House. The episode follows a retired couple, Mimi and Mela, who decide to build a dream home inspired by the shape of a boat on the banks of the River Great Ouse.

The couple is not new to the world of self-building as they had previously built their first home using straw bales. This experience taught them valuable lessons that they aimed to implement in their new project. They approached architect Nick, who was thrilled by the idea and quickly got to work on designing the unique space. The design seeks to incorporate Mimi and Mela's love for the outdoors and the water by having a curved roof in the shape of a wave and large floor-to-ceiling windows to offer stunning views of the river.

The project, however, quickly proved to be a daunting and challenging task for the couple, especially Mela, who had to learn on the job and handle the grueling physical work that came with the project. She painfully recounts the many hours spent measuring and cutting the cladding timber to size and fitting them to make the boat-like exterior.

With their budget of £700,000, the couple had to make some hard choices during the process, especially since they were building in a flood-prone area and needed a marine-style foundation that would require a considerable investment. They had to sell their previous home and invest heavily in the new project, a decision that weighed heavily on them.

The episode showcases the difficulties faced during the project, including budget constraints, planning permission delays, and last-minute design changes. The couple had to push through and even had to seek the help of their family members to complete the project. Nick, the architect, had to make some adjustments to his initial designs to accommodate the couple's financial constraints.

Despite the challenges, the finished project is nothing short of spectacular. The boat-like exterior with the curved roof hints at the house's design inspiration, while the large windows that offer stunning views of the surrounding area invite the outdoors inside. The interior features an open plan living, dining, and kitchen area that is bright and spacious, with large glass doors that lead out to a balcony.

The boat theme is continued inside the house, with nautical-inspired decor and fittings, such as the rope handrails and the porthole windows. The couple had to be creative with storage as they did not want to detract from the open plan feel of the house, and they cleverly incorporated cupboards and drawers into the staircase.

Grand Designs season 16 episode 2 showcases how passion, determination, and creativity can lead to the creation of unique and amazing homes. The episode highlights the importance of careful planning, managing costs, and being able to adapt to unforeseen challenges during the building process.

The Boat House is a testament to the vision and hard work of Mimi and Mela, who can now enjoy their retirement in a beautiful home that matches their lifestyle and interests.