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[7] 14 lessons from a city straw-bale house
Map data: Google, SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO - Image: Landsat / Copernicus

Location

  • London

Build Start

  • ~1998

Architect

  • Jeremy Till, Sarah Wigglesworth

Total Floor Area

  • 588 m²
  • [Source: Estimate ]
This is what happens when you build a big, experimental house right next to a railway in central London. Springs were used to cut vibration, sandbags and gabions became acoustic armour, and straw bales brought warmth and identity, but also wall thickness and complexity. The spend only crept 6% over budget, yet on a seven-figure build that still bites. If you only take one thing, take this: when you go off-piste with materials, you need earlier decisions, tighter interfaces, and a clear line between “home” and “prototype”.

Site Purchase Price

  • £ 343800

Site Area

  • 794m²

Site Cost Per m²

  • £ 433

Initial Budget

  • £ 1833300

Total Spend

  • £ 1947900

Budget Overspend

  • 6.25%

Cost Per m²

  • £ 3313

Site Coverage

  • 34.08%

Plot Ratio

  • 74.09%
All Figures Indexed To
  • 02 May 2025

Construction Type

  • Gabion, Steel Frame, Timber Frame

Materials

  • Natural, Steel, Straw, Wood

Features

This is what happens when you build a big, experimental house right next to a railway in central London. Springs were used to cut vibration, sandbags and gabions became acoustic armour, and straw bales brought warmth and identity, but also wall thickness and complexity. The spend only crept 6% over budget, yet on a seven-figure build that still bites. If you only take one thing, take this: when you go off-piste with materials, you need earlier decisions, tighter interfaces, and a clear line between “home” and “prototype”.

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Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 1
Conduct Thorough Research Before Purchase

Always do comprehensive research on a property before purchasing, especially if it comes with existing tenants. This includes understanding zoning, existing structures, and any restrictions that may influence your build.

  • Buying Land, Regulations

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 2
Understand Site Implications

Be aware that building on a brownfield site can come with hidden challenges, such as old infrastructure that might require remediation, which can increase both time and costs.

  • Buying Land, Challenges, Construction

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 3
Plan For The Unexpected

Building schedules can be unpredictable, especially with unique designs. Be prepared for delays and budget accordingly to accommodate potential overruns in time and costs.

  • Time Management, Unexpected Costs

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 4
Communication Is Key

Ensure clear communication between you and your architect or builder. Many clients struggle due to misunderstanding architectural drawings, so ask for clarification and additional visual aids when necessary.

  • Working With Others

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 5
Stay Flexible With Design

Initial concepts may need to be altered in response to practical constraints and materials. Embrace a degree of flexibility in your plans to accommodate the evolving nature of construction work.

  • Design

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 6
Sustainable Choices Have Trade-Offs

While using eco-friendly materials like straw bales is commendable, be aware that unconventional choices can introduce unforeseen challenges, such as dealing with pest invasions or moisture retention. Always weigh the benefits against the drawbacks.

  • Materials, Sustainability

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 7
Schedule Regular Assessments

Conduct assessments throughout the build process to ensure everything aligns with your vision. This can also help catch issues before they escalate into larger problems.

  • Time Management

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 8
Prioritise Access To Expertise And Support

Hiring specialised architects familiar with unconventional building materials can help navigate the complexities involved and ensure best practices are followed.

  • Working With Others

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 9
Take Your Time

Don’t rush to complete your project. Allow time to inhabit the space as it evolves to better understand its quirks and adjust the design to suit your lifestyle and needs.

  • Time Management

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 10
Test Innovative Ideas On A Small Scale First

If you’re considering innovative or experimental building methods, first test them on smaller projects to gather insights and minimise risks associated with larger builds.

  • DIY, Professional

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 11
Be Financially Prepared For Overages

Building a custom home often costs more than initially budgeted. Try to set aside additional funds to accommodate unexpected expenses.

  • Budget, Unexpected Costs

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 12
Factor In Future Changes

Consider how the home will serve your needs in the future. Design with flexibility that allows for adaptations, such as aging in place or accommodating changing family dynamics.

  • Design, Reflections

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 13
Value Aesthetic Diversity

Embrace an eclectic aesthetic in your home instead of seeking uniformity. Mixing styles can result in a more dynamic and engaging living space.

  • Design

Grand Review

  • 7

Lesson Learned

  • 14
Expect The Building Process To Be A Journey

Accept that building a home is not just a transaction; it’s an experience. Enjoy the process and create memories along the way.

  • Reflections

Acknowledgment:

This is a non-commercial review carried out for the purposes of study in developing an understanding of the requirements of self-build in the UK.

The views and opinions expressed are my own and is not affiliated in any way with Grand Designs or Channel 4.  All information on this page has been gathered from publicly available sources.

The plot/site information was located using Land Registry and The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Data which contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The lessons learned are derived from my interpretations and observations of a publicly disseminated case study and are in no way meant to be a substitute to the original.

Click here to view the original case study on the Channel 4 website.

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