February/March 2014
Welcome to the inaugural edition of i-build magazine! This issue is bursting with expert advice, solutions and inspiration to ensure you start your project with a spring in your step.
Spring is the most popular time of year for self-builders to begin their exciting homebuilding adventure. To inspire you at each stage of your project, join us as we follow builder and designer Will Anderson on his self-build journey. In each edition we accompany Will as he experiences the highlights and complications of the project that are yet to emerge. At the heart of his design is a desire to create a home that sustains its own horticultural ecosystem – where the walls of his self-build will be adorned with fresh produce all year round. We look forward to discovering how he brings this edible element to fruition – read his regular column on page 8.
As energy prices continue to soar and weather patterns seem to become increasingly unpredictable, the demand for sustainability escalates. The self-build industry is arguably the biggest reflection of a growing green commitment among consumers for energy-efficient building materials, as well as home designs that boast self-sufficiency. For this issue's example of outstanding sustainability we unveil a Welsh self-build that has extreme eco-credentials. Architects Catherine Roberts and Steven Harris have used building their own home as the perfect opportunity to experiment with imaginative green elements. Read how they achieved this on page 16.
Elsewhere in this issue, we include essential information for checking a plot of land before buying on page 14, advice to ensure your material suppliers are trustworthy on page 56 and the perfect example of a renovation transformation on page 48.
We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together! We would love to hear what you think of your new self-build reference, so please don’t hesitate to contact the team with your feedback.
