34-year-old Andy and 32-year-old Esther have lived in their three-bedroom house in Stirling, Scotland, for almost four years. With idyllic views of the river and castle, the couple love where they live, but with three small children, their house is cramped and no longer works for family life.
39-year-old James and 40-year-old Vicky have lived in their 1970s detached house in Kent for five years with their two young children. Bought for the large garden, they have since discovered the house is completely impractical for family life. Like homes across Britain it has been chopped and changed making the space disjointed. The divided layout is taking its toll on family life. James and Vicky agree they need to rethink their home, but that is all they agree on! Working to a healthy budget of £100k, can our two rival architects finally solve the problem that has had James and Vicky locked in stalemate for five years?
36-year-old Suzanne and 41-year-old Danny have wildly differing views on how to improve their cramped 1960s bungalow in Bedfordshire. With three children and only two usable bedrooms, they are in urgent need of help but while Suzanne wants style and a wow factor, Danny is fixated on storage and practicality. With the couple at loggerheads, architects Laura Jane Clark and Robert Jamison go head to head to win the commission. The prize? To radically transform this dysfunctional space into a spectacular and practical home, all working to their £70k budget.
Accountants Mimi and Luke have lived in their terraced house in Grantham for five years with their two-year-old daughter and Mimi’s 10-year-old son. With Luke’s two older children often there too, the house is bursting at the seams, yet the layout is entirely unpractical. They fell in love with the home because of its large garden, but the living areas are a rabbit warren of small disjointed rooms. There is barely enough space for the couple and their growing children to all be in one room together. Perhaps worse still, there is no view of the big garden from the house! With a budget of £30k, two competing architects have their work cut out to rethink the layout and improve family life.
In 2015 Becky and Cris moved from a small cottage to a four-bed 1960s house in Wiltshire, hoping it would provide desperately needed space for their growing children. A family of keen musicians, they also hoped a large reception room would give them the opportunity to play their instruments together. But three years later the house is awkward and unhomely with dark and uninviting rooms. A poor layout means the four of them live quite separately, and those dreamed of musical get-togethers never happen.
Helen and Rob live in a Victorian terraced house in St Albans. When they bought it five years ago, it needed a lot of work. They have put all their energy into renovating the entrance and the front room, but the back of the house remains a mishmash of tiny and unpractical rooms. A narrow kitchen is uncomfortably close to the only family bathroom, and a dark, windowless utility space has Helen comparing the rear of her home to a dungeon.
Ruth and Lindsey live in a 1990s developer home near Middlesbrough. Their focus in recent years has been achieving their goal of having a family. Now, with two young daughters, it is time for Lindsey and Ruth to tackle their home, which fails to meet the needs of their family. The problems begin the moment they come through the door. The tiny hallway barely allows for a buggy to be brought into the house. When inside, it has to be brought through almost every room on the ground floor before it can be put away. Meanwhile, the kitchen has almost no storage and is disconnected from the living spaces where the children play, so the family are rarely all in the same room at the same time.
Truck salesman Mike and urban designer Lisa live in a three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Shrewsbury which Mike bought 20 years ago. After getting married, they hoped to have a family and their treasured son George is now ten years old. What was a spacious home for two has now become a squeeze for a family of three, only made worse by the huge range of conflicting hobbies that compete for space. Lisa is desperate for a calm place to do her yoga, whilst Mike and George play the drums and the guitar respectively. But it is not just music Mike wants to focus on - more than anything he wants a place he can spend quality time with George, building and tinkering with bikes.
Angela Scanlon presents the only home makeover series that allows people to try before they buy. Rival architects Laura Jane Clark and Robert Jamison use photo-real, virtual-reality technology and visual effects to pitch their bold ideas to families who have fallen out of love with their homes. With sleep pods, garden temples, secret doors and indoor climbing walls in their back catalogue, what will Laura and Robert come up with next? In each episode, the homeowners must choose just one of the architect’s groundbreaking visions to build in real life. Silvia and Julian bought their bungalow near Brighton four years ago after falling in love with the garden. They were less enamoured of the poky property – but promised themselves they would transform it into their dream home in no time. Fast-forward four years and that dream has become a nightmare. Although they have managed to convert the loft, creating two new bedrooms, that has come at the cost of a new staircase, which has gobbled up valuable living space. The rest of the ground floor remains a jumble of disconnected, cramped rooms, with the tiny kitchen a particular source of frustration for keen cook Silvia. A planning restriction severely constraining their options to extend is just one of the reasons they haven’t managed to solve the poor layout - the couple’s wildly differing approaches to design are not helping either. Silvia describes her style as far-out and believes ‘you’ve got to dream big’, while Julian is determinedly practical. Competing to solve this seemingly impossible puzzle are architects Robert Jamison and Laura Jane Clark. With his unconventional blue-sky approach, Robert might seem more likely to win over Silvia, while Laura’s trademark blend of beauty and practicality, tailored to the owners’ needs, could be right up Julian’s street. But both are dead set on earning the trust of both partners. Using virtual reality, both architects pitch their radically different interpretations of
When Punam and Anuj bought their 1930s home in Surrey, they thought it would be the perfect place to build a life together. But they now fear they have made a big mistake. Thanks to a 1980s extension, there should be more than enough square footage in their five-bed property. But most of the space is wasted. The couple hope to start a family and be able to have their parents move in with them in the future. But two of the five so-called bedrooms aren’t even big enough to comfortably fit a bed, and the stingy family bathroom makes Anuj’s morning shower a miserable start to his working day. Downstairs, the dark, isolated kitchen leaves Punam, who does the bulk of the cooking, feeling cut off from the rest of the house. The couple agree that before they can move forward, they need to transform their house into a home they can feel proud of. But every conversation about how to fix it has so far run into the ground, because they can’t agree about how to begin. Architects Laura Jane Clark and Robert Jamison must rise to the challenge. For 1930s architecture enthusiast Laura, it is a chance to undo the problems caused by the later extension and give Punam and Anuj a home that is not just beautiful but deeply practical too. Meanwhile for Robert, all that space to play with is an opportunity to think radically about how to future-proof a family home. Using virtual reality, both architects showcase their dramatically different takes on the brief. Robert’s characteristically bold solution turns conventional wisdom quite literally on its head with a visually striking, flexible design. Laura pitches a fresh layout intended to welcome and invite from the moment Punam and Anuj arrive at the threshold, drawing them into a sensational light-filled, welcoming series of interconnected spaces. Both architects give the couple a vision of their home beyond their wildest dreams, but only one can be translated into real-world bricks and mortar. Having explored both designs i
Two rival architects use virtual reality to pitch for the commission to renovate a home in Halifax. Will the winning design give the owners their forever home?
Two rival architects use virtual reality to pitch their vision for remodelling a family home in Wiltshire. Will the winning design succeed in making sense of the baffling layout?
Two rival architects use virtual reality to pitch for the chance to transform a couple’s sprawling Margate property.
Gemini and James had it all planned out when they bought their three-bed home in Surrey. Expecting a new baby, they would move in and do the place up with plenty of time to spare before the birth. But the baby herself had other ideas. When little Matilda arrived very prematurely, all thoughts of renovation flew out the window. Four years later and Matilda is thriving - but the house is not. Gemini and James have managed to make some improvements to the back of the property, where they have spent time and money creating a modern, open-plan kitchen-diner. But at the front, it is a different story. The entrance and hallway are making both their lives a misery. The awkwardly situated front door leads onto a hall that has become a dumping ground. And the space doubles up as a utility room, making it all the more cramped. Gemini wants to fit yet more into the modest space as she is adamant the growing family needs a downstairs loo – but she doesn’t want an extension. James, meanwhile, is convinced that an extension is the only practical solution. With only a small budget to play with, they have reached deadlock - time for some expert help. Coming to their rescue are architects Laura Jane Clark and Robert Jamison, who each apply their very different philosophies to the problem. Always mindful of the competing demands of practicality and style, Laura takes a characteristically pragmatic approach with a simple but striking contemporary design. But experimental architect Robert decides a far more radical approach is the only answer. Both architects pitch their designs in virtual reality. Then, having experienced two very different versions of what their home could be, Gemini and James choose one to build in real life. Finally, the winning architect and Angela return to Surrey to see the result for themselves. The couple have taken the concept and made it their own. But has the chosen design succeeded in solving the problems that have made the family miserable for
Angela Scanlon returns with the property makeover show in which cutting-edge virtual reality and visual effects enable people to see what the future of their home could look like, before it is built in reality. In the first edition architects Laura Jane Clark and Julian McIntosh compete to remodel Shelley and Steven's three-bedroom semi-detached home in Bromley, south-east London.
Architects Will Foster and Lynsey Elliott compete to remodel a home in Gosport that holds a lifetime of memories. Which design will be perfect for Lisa and Judy?
Architects Damion Burrows and Lizzie Fraher compete to remodel Natasha and Gael's home in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, which has a dark and claustrophobic downstairs layout that makes social gatherings impossible.
In 2017, Lei Ying and her husband, David, snapped up a Belfast house after seeing the amount of space it could offer them. However, three years later and with their children growing fast, they have discovered that having lots of space is not always a good thing - especially when it’s all in the wrong place. The layout means that mealtimes are spent in a tiny corner of the ground floor, and when they want to relax, the cavernous lounge is too big to be cosy. They are lucky enough to have a garden, but access to that is also problematic, with a tight chicane of corridors and a dangerous staircase the only route. Lei Ying dreams of a perfect kitchen, whilst David hopes for a cosy home and a safe route to the garden. Can architects Laura Jane Clark and Will Foster solve all these problems on a £25,000 budget?
Jacqueline and her husband Alex were about to remodel their two-bed London terrace, but tragically, Alex fell ill and died. Now, three years since his death, Jacqueline has resolved to finish what they started, supported by her 22-year-old son Jamie. Jacqueline and Jamie share the family home, but both long for some privacy. Each would like to have friends over without disturbing the other. However, the problem is that the terrace has just one reception room on the ground floor along with a small and chilly kitchen. Another major problem is finding a new location for the downstairs bathroom. Jacqueline has a budget of £40,000, but can that sum possibly solve these problems? Jacqueline and Jamie are handing over control to competing architects Lizzie Fraher and Julian McIntosh. Lizzie has plenty of experience in unlocking the possibilities in residential projects while Julian loves the creative challenge inherent in modest budgets.
Six years ago, Victoria and Raheel snapped up an impressive four-bedroom ‘90s build in Milton Keynes. It was an estate agent's dream with a south facing garden, generous sitting room and glossy new kitchen. It seemed to be the perfect home for entertaining friends and starting a family. Yet with the arrival of their two little boys, Victoria and Raheel started to spot the flaws - a cramped hallway, a dark living room and an impractically shaped kitchen. Victoria and Raheel have spent the last few years wrestling with how to solve the problems, but now time is of the essence. Victoria has just given birth to twins and now, as a family of six, the couple are desperate to find a solution to their dark and uncomfortable house. Can architects Damion Burrows and Will Foster, with their radically different designs, come up with a solution that fulfills everyone's hopes for the house?
Architects Robert and Laura compete using virtual reality to remodel a home in Hertfordshire. Will the finished build live up to the hopes of the family who live there?
Two architects compete using virtual reality to win the opportunity to remodel a four-bedroom house near Stockport. But which option will the owners choose?
Yes and Has bought their 1920s semi in Enfield four years ago, wanting a family home to raise their two children. Despite a major renovation, they haven’t managed to inject their personality into their home and are struggling with the disconnected layout. Taking on the challenge of redesigning this house are top architects Will Foster and Julian McIntosh. After investigating the problems, Julian thinks the key is to sort out the isolated kitchen, but Will is keen to dig deeper into the couple's style. Will they go for Julian’s calming, minimalist design or Will’s pyramid ceiling?
IT project manager Lee and actor Darren bought their first house together in Southampton, but so far their big plans to renovate it have come to nothing. The house was originally build in the 1960s but has had several extensions added on over the years, creating a rabbit warren of a layout with a huge unused garage and a double staircase splitting the house in two. The couple can’t agree on a way forward, so they have come to a complete standstill. Coming to their rescue are top architects Laura Clarke and Damion Burrows. Damion plans to open up the house, giving it a better connection to the garden, whilst Laura is drawing inspiration from the property's original 1960s features. Will the couple choose Damion’s double-height hall or Laura’s micro-fluted glass bar?
After renting for many years in London, actress Jill Halfpenny and her 13-year-old son Harvey made the big decision to start a new life in the north east, where Jill was brought up. They both love the sea views of their new home in Tynemouth, but the flat's layout is revealing its glitches. The kitchen is right at the back of the property, making it feel dark and disconnected. The bathroom has no windows and the only outside space is a tiny balcony. Having moved around so much, Jill is determined to make a forever home for her son, but she needs help unlocking the flat’s potential. Taking on the show's first ever flat are architects Will Foster and Lynsey Elliot. After looking around, Lynsey thinks the priority is sorting out the gloomy kitchen, but Will is keen to find out more about the history of the area so he can work the story of the house into his design.
Irene and Richard bought their three-bedroom home in Croydon 19 years ago, but as the family grew, the house began to feel too small for them. With three teenagers in the house, Ella, Emily, and Lewis are all fighting for space.
When Reena and Wes bought their three-bed terrace in Borehamwood, it was the perfect fit. But with the arrival of their daughter, the house they once loved has become a problem. Taking on the challenge of a redesign are Will Foster and Lizzie Fraher.
Moving from a tiny city flat to a three-bed house in Rickmansworth was initially a dream come true for Caitriona and Kevin. But as their twins Lilly and Fionn get older, there are nightly squabbles over who has to sleep in the box room.
One year ago, Fiona and Andy and their young sons Ted and Josh moved into their dream home, a 300-year-old barn in Solihull. But it’s not quite the fairytale they imagined. They originally fell for the barn's quirky and characterful features, but this hotch-potch of a conversion needs a radical overhaul to make it work for them as a family. Coming to their rescue are top architects Laura Jane Clark and Julian McIntosh. After investigating the problems, Julian wants to bring the barn up to date while celebrating its original features. Laura has been won over by the long hallway and central courtyard. She thinks linking these different parts is key to unlocking its potential. Will they have gone for Julian’s giant window or Laura’s long vistas?
Lou and Steve moved to Devon from London so their children, Maisey and Jesse, who are both deaf, could attend a specialist school. When they first saw the house, it wasn’t love at first sight, but they decided to buy it because of its beautiful location. The problems start with the front of the house, with its imposing steps making it look like a Spanish nightclub. The family love the big garden with the swimming pool, but it’s totally cut off from the house by a high retaining wall. Determined to unlock this property’s potential are top architects Lizzie Fraher and Damion Burrows. After investigating the problems, Lizzie has some clever ideas to make the front more attractive, while Damion has a radical solution to make the most of the sea views. Will the couple go for Lizzie’s wildflower hill or Damion’s radical house flip?
After nearly 40 years of marriage, Lizzy and Paul moved to a three-bed semi. They loved the views and location, but the layout of the house has become impossible for Lizzy to navigate. Architects Lynsey Elliott and Damion Burrows offer solutions.
