Welcome to the January edition of i-build magazine! This issue is packed with inspirational projects and products as well as useful advice for your self-build.

Happy New Year to all! I hope you had a rejuvenating break and are now eager to dive back into your self-build and home renovation projects.

As we step into 2024, we witness a continuation of evolving trends and developments within the self-build and renovation community. The bygone era of open-plan living, once hailed for its light-filled spaces, is making way for a new model – broken-plan living. It feels like just yesterday when we were praising the benefits of open floorplans, yet societal shifts and changes in lifestyle are prompting alterations in housing dynamics.

With more time spent at home, families find themselves sharing space for work, leisure and daily activities. Juggling work meetings, children's homework and the constant hum of daily life in one confined area has led to a reconsideration of spatial arrangements. The practical solution has been to segment these spaces, creating distinct areas tailored for various activities, containing work and homework within designated corners to minimise distractions.

In this edition, we talk to Michael Holmes, Property Expert for the Homebuilding & Renovating Shows (HB&R Shows), who delves into the dynamic trends shaping home renovation. Michael sheds light on the accelerated adoption of broken-plan room arrangements, a trend adopted in the aftermath of the pandemic. For more insights, flip to page 10 and absorb Michael's invaluable advice.

Continuing our exploration of broken-plan living, Victoria Brocklesby, COO at Origin, discusses its application in bungalow renovations. Here, she elaborates on how broken-plan living meets the growing demand for separate functional areas while preserving the inherent charm of one-storey living. Find the full story on page 28.

Rebecca Kemp
Editor

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