Struggling Retirees Receive Unexpected Help to Construct Dream Home during Critical Time
Hey there! Meet Francine and Stephen, a resilient duo who experienced one setback after another when they decided to create a self-built home tailored to their specific needs on their smallholding. With Francine being disabled and Stephen living with Alzheimer's, the couple found themselves in dire need of a single-story, accessible dwelling.
"I was born with a disability, and my health has deteriorated. Now Stephen has Alzheimer's, and we were struggling to find a suitable home," Francine admitted. "Building a new home seemed completely out of reach, what with our limited budget and lack of experience in housebuilding."
Frustrated by the lack of support, the couple moved into a 1960s bungalow nearby and devoted their days to caring for their livestock while hoping to modify the uninspiring property.
A chance meeting with Studio Bark, a radical architectural firm, significantly altered their circumstances. With the mission to challenge convention, the practice proposed a unique eco-home design that caught the attention of local planners.
"We were convinced we'd face objections when we took our proposal to the planning meeting, but the design was approved unanimously," Francine marveled.
The Nest House was built utilizing the U-Build modular timber construction system developed by Studio Bark. This eco-friendly system is composed of natural and local materials and enables low-impact construction. The house is also demountable at the end of its useful life, ensuring minimal environmental impact. It boasts reclaimed railway sleepers for retaining walls and 100% recyclable foundations.
Inside, the home incorporates 300mm of natural wool insulation, a green roof, and solar shading to minimize overheating and energy consumption. A central courtyard garden lets in ample natural light and creates cross ventilation throughout the residence.
The design concept cleverly divides the home into an east wing for guests and a west wing for the couple's living space, creating a seamless flow between the different areas. "From the kitchen diner, you can walk straight through to the living room and our en-suite bedroom without any obstructions," Francine explained.
The idyllic setting that this unique build has created for Francine and Stephen is punctuated by a donkey, along with sheep and ponies, roaming their land that overlooks the picturesque Wye Valley. "There's nothing better than sitting on the front deck with a glass of wine, taking in the breathtaking views – it's the cherry on top of our extraordinary journey," Francine shared.
So, if you're in awe of this self-build story, take a look at another inspiring tale about a bespoke cottage that cost just £350k to build!
- In their quest for a suitable home, Francine and Stephen found themselves exploring ideas for a self-built dwelling, meticulously planning every detail of its design.
- After realizing the immediate need for insulation due to Francine's disability and Stephen's progressing Alzheimer's, they retrofitted their 1960s bungalow with additional insulation to improve the home's comfort and energy efficiency.
- To ensure proper ventilation within their new eco-home, they installed strategically placed windows and a passive ventilation system, enhancing air quality and comfort while minimizing energy consumption.
- Guided by their shared passion for home-and-garden initiatives and pursuing a health-and-wellness lifestyle, the couple integrated a fitness-and-exercise space and a meditation room into their home design.
- During the planning phases, they prioritized accessible doorways, wide hallways, and an open-plan layout to cater to Francine's mobility needs and the requirements of a home designed for someone with Alzheimer's.
- To stay within their limited budget, Francine and Stephen sourced recycled materials for various aspects of the build, such as the reclaimed railway sleepers used in the outdoor landscaping and the repurposed timber in the kitchen cabinetry.
- Seeing the potential for the development of their smallholding, Francine and Stephen planned to extend their home in the future, perhaps by adding an outbuilding for gardening or even a sick-bay for their animals.
- The demountable nature of the Nest House has sparked an interest in adaptive architecture, as experts foresee this science playing a crucial role in the future of sustainable living, particularly in terms of mental-health benefits and lifestyle improvements.
- With the help of Studio Bark, Francine and Stephen managed to construct a functional, beautiful, and energy-efficient home, elevating their quality of life and ensuring a better future for their health and wellness.
- In the coming months, they plan to install solar panels on the roof to further reduce their home's carbon footprint, aligning with their commitment to the fitness-and-exercise and mental-wellness aspects of their new lifestyle.
- During a sunny afternoon, Francine can often be found in her kitchen, preparing a nutritious meal while keeping an eye on the donkey, sheep, and ponies roaming the land just beyond the kitchen window, their presence filling her home with a sense of peace and contentment.
