Catch up TV

Series 2: Episode 3

Twelve years ago, Jeremy and Paula fell in love with a 19th-century house, complete with their dream conservatory, in Halifax. For years, it has served them well but recently the happy home where they raised their family has become a source of stress. \n\nPaula has MS, which has worsened over time, and these days she frequently uses a wheelchair. But the property was never designed with accessibility in mind. The biggest problem area is the conservatory - the very room that once attracted the couple to the house. On a lower level to the rest of the house, Paula has to manoeuvre heavy ramps into position in order to access it and the garden beyond, leaving her feeling 'hemmed in' and ‘like a prisoner’. What’s more, the tired, poorly insulated, 20-year-old fabric of the structure is no longer fit for purpose. \n\nPaula would be happy to patch the conservatory up, perhaps adding a new roof. But Jeremy is determined to think bigger and add something that ‘gives a bit of style to the property’. With a modest budget for the project, finding a solution that suits both of them seems impossible. \n\nStepping into the breach are architects Laura Jane Clark and Robert Jamison. Laura has a reputation for applying her ingenious practicality to tricky small spaces, while trailblazer Robert is looking for a big idea to create an impactful transformation on a modest budget. Having explored the property, both pitch radically different solutions in virtual reality. Laura puts making the most of the views out to the garden at the heart of her clever design, which uses cunning recycling tricks to stretch the budget. Robert begins with fixing the accessibility issues, deploying off-the-shelf materials to keep costs down. \n\nHaving immersed themselves in both architects’ virtual visions for their home, Jeremy and Paula must reluctantly plump for one design. \n\nAngela and the victorious architect finally arrive in Halifax to see the end result for themselves – and hear about the trials and tribulations Jeremy and Paula have gone through along the way. Their experience shows how even the smallest project can throw up unexpected complications, but the completed build is worth it. At last, the problem conservatory has gone, to be replaced by a space that stays true to the virtual design but also bears the hallmarks of their personal taste. Once more, Paula can freely enjoy every part of her home – and the couple can look forward to many more happy years together in the house.

Source: BBC 2