버려진 주차장 부지가 5백만불짜리 저택으로 변신 Couple who bought derelict row of garages for £400k and turned them into award-winning TV home put it on sale for £3.8M : VIDEO
Now THAT's a Grand Design!
Couple who bought derelict row of garages for £400k and turned them into award-winning TV home put it on sale for £3.8M
- Tim and Jo Lucas, of Kew, London, bought the plot in 2010 for £400,000 and are now looking to sell it
- The build took two years and the couple moved in with their daughters Rosalind, 9, and Alex, 8 in 2014
- The property was featured in an episode of Grand Designs: House of the Year on Channel 4
- It was nominated for the RIBA house of the year award 2015 and has won many awards since
A house that was bought for £400,000 six years ago is set to sell for £3.8 million after undergoing a major refurbishment.
Tim and Jo Lucas, of Kew, London, were looking for a family home in London for under £500,000 when they stumbled upon a plot of seven derelict garages in the Kew Green Conservation area.
They bought the plot in 2010 for £400,000 and worked with their friend and renowned architect, Stuart Piercy, to come up with the design, which features a slide from the ground floor to the basement, and get planning permission.
Building started in 2012 and the family, with daughters Rosalind, 9, and Alex, 8, moved into their dream home in 2014.
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Tim Lucas (left) his wife Jo (centre) and their two daughters Rosalind and Alex inside their family home in Kew, London. The family have put their house, which they bought for £400,000 on the market for £3.8 million two years after moving in
Structural engineers Tim and Jo purchased the property in 2010 after selling their house in Stoke Newington. The house took two years to be built and was designed by their friend and architect, Stuart Piercy
The house has many modern features throughout, including the exposed pipes and a corrugated iron ceiling. The slide, which connects the snug to the basement, was likely to have been a welcome addition by their two young daughters. The use of green carpet and a wooden staircase give the house an earthy feel, but also contrasts well with the ceiling
The house is adorned with large windows, glass doors and a trendy glass bridge to make the property feel light and airy. The ceiling is perforated at particular points to mimic the effect of dappled light through the branches of trees and allow sunlight to cast beautiful shadows on to the walls
The unusual design and quality of build prompted Channel 4's Grand Designs to feature the house in their programme.
The house was also shortlisted for the prestigious RIBA house of the year award in 2015 and has since won nine architectural and design awards, including the RIBA national award and the RIBA London award.
Mr Lucas, 42, who is a structural engineer, said: "We are very proud of the house. It's great to get recognition for something that we put so much time and effort in to.
"I worked very closely with the architect and had a hands on role throughout.
The bridge connects the two wings of the house. In one wing is the master bedroom, in the second is the guest room, a concealed folding bed, childrens' rooms and storage solutions. The family have also included several large plants throughout to continue with the natural theme and give the impression of an indoor garden
The bathrooms are modern and simple to follow the style of the rest of the property. The slanted ceilings make the house feel comfortable, despite it being a large, spacious property
The children's rooms are interlinked and located next to the family bathroom. Its location in the second wing could be ideal for teenagers who want their own space or for families who have regular guests
"I feel very close the house, it's almost like I have another child.
"The slide was my wife's idea, she thought it would be an unusual addition.
"The kids love it, we even had a party here with all their school friends.
"It will be hard to let go but its also nice knowing that someone else will get to enjoy it."
Tim drew more than 750 sketches before perfecting the eye-catching pre-fabricated weathered steel cladding that encases the house and is perforated at particular points to mimic the effect of dappled light through the branches of trees.
The family's large kitchen diner also has a breakfast bar and lots of storage space to hide away utensils, pots and pans and crockery. Low hanging lights add to the modern feel of the rest of the house
The family's patio is filled with an array of different plants to make the outside feel tropical and a world away from its location in Kew, Richmond
Outside the house there is plenty of parking and a small driveway, fit for one car. The house is also gated off to allow the homeowners to have some privacy
The ten sections and the perforations, from coal wagons and bridges, were cut by a high pressure water jet.
After arriving at the house builders positioned them on cranes, and welded them together.
Each of the two wings, which are based around a central courtyard, are set behind the remaining facade of a Victorian stable.
A glass block with an impressive steel staircase connects the living areas and floods light throughout the property.
The house has a spacious kitchen/dining area with full width double doors that open onto a walled rear courtyard.
There are bespoke fittings throughout the house, with birch ply units and walnut worktops in the kitchen.
A pantry, walk-in cloakroom, laundry room and shower wet room stem from the room.
Stairs lead down to a brick and oak-lined living room complete with wood burning stove and views on to the courtyard.
At the front of the property, potential buyers will be able to get a glimpse into its original state, which featured a Victorian stable This now adds a tasteful contrast to the wooden roof and large windows
Before the site consisted of seven derelict garages and a Victorian stable. Now the house is a��stunning property consisting of two wings. Each wing of the house has also been clad with pre-fabricated weathered steel. The two parts are connected by two glass walls, which allow plenty of sunlight in and break up the wooden theme
The terrace also benefits from the perforated metal to mimic the branches of trees.
The family have also made sure to include hanging plants, such as orchids,
to add to the tropical feel of the rest of the property and large glass windows to
add in extra light to the back of the house
There are two ways into the basement - the regular stairs or a fun twisting slide.
The wooden slide snakes from a hole at the top of the stairs down to the astroturf flooring in the children's room.
A workshop occupies a majority of the bottom floor but with skylights providing natural daylight there is the potential to renovate the space into bedrooms, a self-contained flat, studio or office.
Following the stairs back up you arrive at the master bedroom, a beautifully proportioned and light space with en suite bathroom, walk-in wardrobe and window seat.
From the master bedroom, a linking bridge leads across to a guest room, a family bathroom and two interlinked children's bedrooms.
The home is within walking distance of both Kew Bridge station and Kew Gardens underground while the open spaces of Kew Green and the Royal Botanic Gardens also moments away.
It is being sold by London estate agents, the Modern House, who specialise in design-led properties.
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