Grand Designs: Amersham, The Water Tower

Episode Information Amersham: The Water Tower

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Contents:

Date Published:
19/05/2008

'I think all architects want to build their own house, so I'm like a pig in mud,' says Andrew Tate, the proud owner of a 100-foot converted water tower near Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Grand Designs: Amersham, The Water Tower

The tower is about five and a half metres in diameter, so it has been divided. Bedrooms and the main living areas are contained in a single storey extension. Glazed walls to the extension capitalise on heat from the sun, and the connecting walls are made with polystyrene blocks filled with concrete, providing effective insulation.

It took Andrew more than a year to get planning permission on what is a greenbelt site, but councillors and local residents were won over by his plan to conceal the extension behind a grassy bank, which blends in with the banks of the surrounding reservoirs.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Andrew's prime tip for other self builders is to get a good architect.

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Comments

  1. This method is used in europe for the last 10 year. You also get the polystyrene bricks with steel frame. Its a great method which improves and makes work easier. Hope I gets picked up by the UK construction
    Posted by Irvin on 22/10/2008 17:51:38
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  2. Hi Edwin Have a look on page 4 of this feature: http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/trade-secrets/episode-information/cheltenham-the-underground-house-08-06-17_p_1.html - it should be on there.
    Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 21/08/2008 21:18:29
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  3. iam interested in building an underground house and to use those polystyrene bricks/wall to fill with concrete can you put me in touch with supplyers/Thanks Edwin
    Posted by edwin on 20/08/2008 08:45:37
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  4. I love your idea and design, please write and say more about your marvelious design idea.
    Posted by Joseph Kretchmer on 12/08/2008 19:06:34
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