McCloud revisits allergy-resistant house to evaluate if enhancements for better air quality significantly impacted family's health condition.
A Home Built for Health: A Southwest London Family's Self-Build Journey
Step into a unique self-build project that stole the spotlight on Grand Designs. Born Barikor, a fitness entrepreneur, and Elinor Olisa, a gallery owner, tackled this bold endeavor in 2017, transforming a quaint back garden plot tucked away down a narrow alley into a haven for their children's health. Located just 200 meters from a hospital, their podium dwelling - dubbed a "beautiful garden shed" - is a masterpiece designed with one purpose: to combat their kids'array of life-threatening allergies.
From dust and nuts to wheat and cats, the family's health concerns were vast. With their children's lives hanging in the balance, every minute detail of the build prioritized air quality, sustainable materials, and low-toxin finishes.
"We knew it might look like a shed, but we were building it to give our kids a healthy and happy life." Born quipped, as Elinor added, "We were always fretting about allergic reactions."
The home was erected using timber panels, eco-friendly insulation, and toxin-conscious materials. Solvent-free paints, non-toxic flooring, and allergy-friendly joinery dominated the materials list, significantly reducing harsh chemicals that could trigger allergic reactions.
To manage air quality, the self-build project incorporated an airtight membrane and a mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) system. This system, enhanced with additional filters, diligently works to ensure proper air circulation and maintain clean air indoors, minimizing airborne irritants that could compromise the family's health.
Despite the challenges, the narrow access to the plot hindered the use of diggers, so the couple had to negotiate access across neighboring land just to begin constructing the 700m² basement.
Taking a step beyond the striking grey zinc roof and clean lines, guests are welcomed by tiered and sloped gardens teeming with lush greenery, doubling the appearance of the house. Each of the three bedrooms opens onto the terraced garden, flooding the space with natural light, even when located beneath ground level.
Elinor filled the home with greenery, even planting an olive tree to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary. "The power of green space is just phenomenal," Born added. The verdant outside space continues to flow seamlessly into the home, including the kitchen where plants serve both practical and decorative purposes.
Seven years later, the family thrives in their allergy-friendly sanctuary. The design's focus on air purity and allergen reduction has brought them peace of mind and a sense of safety. Their doctor noticed a decline in hospital visits, and the home's low volatile organic compound (VOC) count impressed inspection. The family continues to monitor airflow and environmental quality inside the house, installing air purifiers on lower floors to ensure continued health benefits.
Elinor described the project as life-changing, referring to the remarkable improvements in her children's health. Born agreed, noting that the home seems to love their children just as much as they do. As Kevin McCloud put it, this is much more than just another Grand Designs; it's a place where the family can truly thrive.
Experience innovative designs like this family's self-build and more on Channel 4, featuring captivating episodes such as the "floating home," the "rotten barn transformation," and the remarkable transformation of a 66m² garage plot into a livable space.
- Inside their self-built home, timber panels, eco-friendly insulation, and toxin-conscious materials were used to promote health and well-being.
- The couple incorporated a mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) system and an airtight membrane to manage air quality, ensuring clean air indoors and minimizing airborne irritants.
- Plants are not only present in the lush gardens of the home but also in the kitchen, serving both practical and decorative purposes.
- The home's low volatile organic compound (VOC) count was impressive to the family's doctor, contributing to a decline in hospital visits.
- Air purifiers on lower floors of the home help ensure continued airflow and environmental quality for the family's health.
- Elinor, through her love for greenery, even planted an olive tree in the home to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary.
- Boasting a grey zinc roof and clean lines, the home's exterior gives way to tiered and sloped gardens, doubling the appearance of the house.
- Incorporating sustainable materials and low-toxin finishes into the build, Born and Elinor prioritized air quality to combat their children's various life-threatening allergies.
- The self-build project details can be found in episodes such as the "floating home," the "rotten barn transformation," and the transformation of a 66m² garage plot into a livable space on Channel 4.
- Elinor describes their self-build project as life-changing, crediting remarkable improvements in her children's health, while Born notes that the home seems to care for their children just as much as they do.
