Ep 6. Bath: The Bath Kit House

In this episode of Grand Designs season 8, viewers are transported to Bath, a picturesque city in England known for its stunning Georgian architecture. The episode focuses on the ambitious project of a couple, James and Lizzie, who have decided to build their dream home from scratch with the help of a unique construction kit.

The "Bath Kit House" is a pre-fabricated kit that includes everything needed to build a modern, sustainable home. The couple was drawn to the ease and efficiency of the kit, which promised to drastically reduce construction time and costs. However, as with any Grand Designs project, the road to completion was far from smooth.

Viewers follow James and Lizzie as they face multiple challenges and setbacks throughout the construction process. The episode goes into detail about the design and features of the kit, which include a timber frame, sustainable insulation, and triple-glazed windows. The couple also opted for a modern, open-plan layout and chose materials such as clay tiles and stone cladding to complement the Georgian architecture of the surrounding area.

Despite the promise of a simple and streamlined construction process, the couple quickly realized that building a home from scratch was much more complicated than anticipated. The episode covers various obstacles that the couple faced, from issues with the site and local council planning regulations to last-minute design changes and budget overruns.

One of the most significant challenges the couple faced was a dispute with the kit supplier. Viewers watch as James and Lizzie battle with the supplier over delays and quality issues, ultimately deciding to take the matter to court. The episode delves into the legal proceedings, and viewers get to see how the dispute impacted the couple's financial and emotional well-being.

Throughout the episode, viewers see glimpses of James and Lizzie's personal lives and learn how their individual passions and interests influenced the design of the home. James, a musician, incorporates soundproofing into the design to create a dedicated recording studio, while Lizzie's interest in art inspires the creation of a dedicated space for exhibitions.

The episode ends with a stunning reveal of the finished Bath Kit House, which seamlessly blends contemporary design with traditional Georgian style. James and Lizzie reflect on the journey and challenges they faced, but ultimately express their gratitude for the unique and beautiful home they were able to create.

Overall, this episode of Grand Designs offers viewers a fascinating look at the construction process of a modern, unique home. From the initial concept and design to the challenges and setbacks, viewers get an intimate look at the ups and downs of building a dream home.