Grand Designs Down Under

To say I am a huge fan of Grand Designs would be an understatement. I think I have seen every episode – I just love watching people’s dream homes be realised. Australia has now started their version of the hit UK show, I was a little sceptical about it, wondering if it would live up to very high expectations but I saw the first episode earlier this week and I was totally blown away! The extraordinary story follows Chris Clarke who spent 2 years building his dream home in Gippsland, Australia, when less than a week after completion, it was totally burnt down in the Black Saturday bushfires. Chris slowly slipped into depression but after recovering from his grief, he dusted himself off and was determined to rebuild his dream. He set about salvaging parts of the burnt out wreckage to reuse and created probably one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen featured on Grand Designs.

I don’t think the pictures really do it justice so if you can, check out the episode, or watch the quick walk-through here.

The burnt out wreckage of Chris’s home – he ended up reusing some of the glass and metal that hadn’t melted. He also incorporated some of the burnt bits into his new design.

What he recreated – Chris wanted a house that was sustainable, rustic and organic. The whole structure is clad in metal sheets which are designed to weather and rust to a certain depth, these sheets actually protect the building and cover the layers and layers of fireproofing membranes.  

Recycled water tank found in the bush near the house. The beautiful weathered timber used in the interior was recycled from nearby piers. 

A roof garden!

The front door opens right into the bedroom! I love that the pond extends inside under the glass at the back of the bed!

The magnesium pool for detoxing (the pool level is actually higher than the floor level inside).

The kitchen counter was recycled, it still has scorch marks on it from where it burnt in the fire.

All images via Lifestyle.com.au