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SelfBuild & Design Magazine – August 2008. We have a bumper number of case studies this month, everything from a stunning architectural masterpiece at the edge of Lake Zurich to a budget house in Wales that does not compromise on style or quality.   We also feature the couple who defied the planners by building their home behind a wall of straw bales, only to find after they revealed it that they may have to tear is down.   We have a story by Gerald Cole on two different eco houses designed by Bill Dunster’s ZEDfactory and John Prewer, and we chat with Bill Dunster about his own house and his practice. Greenspec looks at carpets/matting and backing, and Bob Moores examines glazing options for improved efficiency.   And now, more about those case studies… Cover Story : Castle in the air Linda and Robert Fidler spent two years designing and building their amazing mock-Tudor castle, but now the planners may force them to bulldoze their family home and walk away. The couple discovered a loop hole in the planning law and attempted to take advantage of it by concealing the house for four years behind a wall of straw bales. Despite the uncertainty of their home’s future, they still have no regrets.      Case studies View through a bridge Building a new two storey extension complete with a stunning glass bridge has added space, light and a real wow factor to Scott and Kirsty Wilson’s 1960s home. “We wanted more than just an ordinary square space. Donald (the architect) came up with some really  exciting suggestions, and when he mentioned the idea of a glass bridge to bring light into the centre of the house we were both convinced...”         An eye for detail Ten years on, Mark Ashton’s conversion of an 18th century barn is looking as good as ever. The building had been in his family for three generations and was once used to billet Polish paratroopers in the war. Four bedrooms, a guest bedroom with an en suite are all on the ground floor, while the master bedroom with en suite and two further bedrooms have been created upstairs.   Building to a budget     Katharine and Chris Home have built their home to a strict budget, but haven’t compromised on style and quality. The house occupies an elevated position on the Merthyr hillside overlooking the valley with views to the Brecon Beacons. Katharine and Chris decided on a low maintenance exterior because of the exposed nature of the site. The limited palette of stone, timber and render finishes reflect the rugged surroundings.   Florin’s masterpiece Florin and Martina Baeriswyl have built a stunning home on the slopes of Lake Zurich. Florin designed the architectural delight himself, experimenting with colours and textures, and providing exactly the right accommodation for his family.   Special features Bathed in luxury The bathroom is the smallest but one of the most important rooms in the house and you want to get it right. Here are our suggestions.                       Eco architect   Bill Dunster’s ZEDfactory is leading the way in innovative green architecture for both individual houses and multiple residences. He describes his passions and inspiration.                     Up on the hillside An interior design company with a commitment to green principles has kitted out a show apartment with ethically sourced, sustainably manufactured products, including everything from paint to crockery         Bricklaying Peter Spoors explains the basics of this skilled craft by starting with a garden wall…                         Eco opposites   Building a ‘green’ house that’s also affordable sounds like a contradiction in terms but two innovative houses demonstrate radically different ways to solve the problem. Gerald Cole reports…               The case for natural finishes In the first of a series of extracts from their new book, Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce argue that the use of lime and earth-based materials in our homes can make us greener,  happier and healthier.

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