All New and Shiny
Sustainable, eco -friendly, carbon neutral, practicality, economical, minimum maintenance -all commonly used descriptions when listing the remit for a new house -and all come under the heading “Lifestyle” -a word so often used generically. Whilst life appears to get busier everyone wants more leisure time so in order to achieve that the balance of priorities changes. Home, still the focal point, must not dictate the time spent doing chores but be the place of peace amidst the frenetic lifestyle of the 21st century.
Architecture is defined by periods in history. No other country has buildings so well preserved defining the history and culture of our society. The 1960s saw the early stages of post war redevelopment with the beginnings of a contemporary genre emerging that set the path of the architectural style of the early 21st century. Technology has ensured the green credentials can be addressed and a distinct and recognisable style will, in future times, be associated with the latter part of Elizabeth II’s reign – glass, angular and geometrical.
Building a new house is exciting, if somewhat daunting to the novice. It is vital professional services are employed and the construction is project managed. The regulations are endless -cutting corners is not an option as the end product will prove not to meet expectations and when selling any lack of paperwork will hamper the sale. In other words -tick the boxes and you can’t go wrong. There is still room for individuality and the creative.
Devon is historically associated in property terms by thatched cottages and Georgian rectories. Sitting comfortably, side by side, the emerging contemporary buildings will soon settle becoming part of the landscape. Times move ever onwards and the romantic will revert back to the old, listed homes -the young like the clean lines of the contemporary -and so life evolves.
Finding individual building plots is a challenge -with less space, more planning restrictions and more demand than supply, an answer is to look at tired buildings not worthy of updating and redevelop. Nowhere is this more apparent than Salcombe -the appeal of the water by the London second home owners demanding and affording pristine, energy efficient homes has created a wealth of jobs for the building trade and has turned a sleepy fishing village of the early 1900s to an outpost of the capital.
One opportunity to build a green oak country house, with studio, garaging and 6.8 acres is offered by Strutt and Parker (01392 215631). Square Bookhams near Dunsford. Sitting in a private valley above the upper River Teign this has to be a unique opportunity. For those wanting the convenience of the town, a new build in Totnes , The Willows, has five bedrooms, 4 reception rooms and an annexe -perfect for the growing family and granny can come too! Stags Totnes office are the agents (01803 865454)
The cost of building can over capitalise the value in the short term, but the pleasure from building a unique home can be enjoyed for many years and, after all- “It’s all about coming home”.