Grand Designs: The Street episode 4

Grand Designs: The Street episode 4 features two sets of self builders – a young couple building their first home and a family embarking on the UK’s biggest self build project.

Episode 4 of Grand Designs: The Street, aired on 25th April 2019 at 9pm on Channel 4, follows two couples at every different stages in their life together.

One couple, priced out of the housing market, embark on building their very first home together, while the second couple, with two teenage children in tow, take on the challenge of building the UK’s largest self build project to date.

Plot 3: Chris and Roxie, The Box House

• Plot 3: The Box House
• Names: Chris and Roxie, 24
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 2
• Started: June 2017
• Finished: December 2017
• Build estimate: £230K
• Final build cost: £300K

At just 24, Chris and Roxie are one of the youngest couples to design and build their own home on this development. Like many of their generation, Chris and Roxie decided to stay living with their parents to save up for their first home together.

Priced out of the housing market where they live, they have decided to spend their savings on an innovative and experimental ‘flatpack’ U-Build home.

These two must build their home with a brilliant, but labour-intensive construction system, whilst holding down full-time jobs. It’s a feat that’s only possible when Chris and Roxie’s architects draft in a team of young architectural students who camp out near site, exchanging their free labour in return for experience.

This project is a great opportunity for Chris and Roxie, but not one without risk. As a home with real architectural merit starts to emerge, so do cracks in a once concrete relationship.

Plot 8: Peter and Anita, The Family Home

• Plot 8: The Family Home
• Names: Peter And Anita, 43
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 3
• Started: June 2017
• Finished: TBC
• Build estimate: £280K
• Final build cost: £300K 

Anita, is a school science technician, and Peter, an IT consultant and robotics fanatic. They’re local, already living in Bicester with their two teenage children, Sam and Lucy.

They’ve outgrown their modest family home and unable to afford to upsize locally, they’ve seized on the opportunity to become pioneers on what will ultimately be the UK’s largest self-build project. Peter will project manage and build as much as he can.

Peter and Anita are also keen for 18-year-old son Sam to help out on the project. However, Sam is initially unsure, convinced that it’s a strange form of punishment.

If all goes to plan, Father and Son might bond through the construction process and the family could end up with their dream home – one that meets their entire family’s needs and, importantly, leaves them mortgage-free.