CLIMADOOR is proud to announce a collaboration with architect Laura Jane Clark on a project for one of the UK’s most popular home makeover shows. 

Hosted by Angela Scanlon, Your Home Made Perfect ‘transforms problematic pads into heavenly homes’ culminating in an exciting reveal at the end of each episode. 

Working closely with Laura and her team, we provided windows, doors and glazed bifold doors to transform a converted barn in the West Midlands. All for a very special episode of Your Home Made Perfect Season 4. Here’s a closer look at how it all came together…

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A transformation in the heart of England

The project was located in the vibrant market town of Solihull. Often nicknamed ‘the gateway to the Midlands’ Solihull was close to the action of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

Situated on the River Blythe in the ‘Forest of Arden’ area, Solihull is known for its green spaces and high quality environment. This makes it the ideal base for a family home – just like the one featured in the episode.

Disjointed conversion to warm family home

Laura’s initial brief was to redesign a ‘badly converted and extended’ 300-year-old barn turning it into a family home.

During the episode, homeowners Fiona and Andy explain that after moving into their ideal home it hasn’t quite been the fairy tale they imagined. And while they originally fell for the barn’s quirky features, this ‘hotchpotch’ conversion was in need of a complete transformation to make it really work for their family in the long term.

Laura explains: “I created a concept of how to turn this large, cold, disjointed house – untouched since the nineties – into a warm space that was sensitively designed and sustainably built. As the design came together, I worked with CLIMADOOR to create the bespoke bifold door solution and high level windows that brought the vision to life.”

Blending original features with modern updates

Bifold doors were central to Laura’s concept of creating more open space and giving Fiona and Andy the opportunity to enjoy a more alfresco lifestyle. Choosing products from CLIMADOOR’s best selling Black Aluminium Heritage Collection Laura’s additional goal was to maximise natural light and create a striking design statement while highlighting the building’s original features. 

She says: “The old beams of the original barn were exposed during a previous extension in the nineties, but they weren’t featured in a way that created a focus and feature of the architecture. I wanted the design to bring this very long, disconnected house together and celebrate the original red brick barn with its incredible roof structure.”

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Problem solving with virtual reality

As fans of Your Home Made Perfect will know, the designers use virtual reality to share their ideas with homeowners. This was particularly useful as the two bifold doors provided met at a corner on the extension. Meaning it required the use of a specialised aluminium pressing to connect the frames of the bifolds around the corner. 

Laura reveals: “By using virtual reality, we overcame any usual building issues by getting a ‘preview’ of the finished design. This allowed us to collaborate with CLIMADOOR and create bespoke doors that meet at a corner.” 

“We were also able to check the doors for the indoor/outdoor kitchen and the black replacement windows throughout the home. The great thing about working with virtual reality is that you get to provide a clear image to the client and see your designs come to life beforehand.”

Personalised service for a perfect result

After the products were selected and the design was approved by virtual reality, we sprung into action, taking control of different areas of expertise and delivering exceptional service. 

The first steps revolved around getting the details spot on; interpreting plans and examining drawings before providing the final quotation. We also surveyed the site and procured the correct measurements to ensure complete accuracy. 

Next, long standing team member Oliver Kearns arranged for Laura’s products to be delivered in two drops. The majority of products were delivered in the first drop and the products for the extension were delivered once Laura was ready to move to the next phase.

Building strong relationships to drive momentum

From organising delivery to managing installation, it was essential to maintain good communication throughout the project to achieve a finish good enough for prime time TV. 

Laura agrees: “One of the best things about working with CLIMADOOR was having direct contact once installation started so any problems could be sorted quickly. Finding the right suppliers, manufacturers and installers is key. Especially with glazing. Smooth working relationships make the difference between a good build and brilliant one.”

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A bright future with an innovative client

Since completion, Laura has added us to her list of preferred suppliers which is the highest testament to our service. She says: “It was great working with CLIMADOOR!”

The feeling’s mutual. Laura’s company, Lamp Architects, has a reputation for delivering some of the UK’s most imaginative home renovations and transformations. And we can’t wait to work together again. Watch this space…

Your Home Made Perfect is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now and on Netflix at a later date. Follow Laura Jane Clark on Instagram and pick up a copy of her book, The Handbook of Home Design for more tips and tricks, inspiration and technical know-how. Photo credit: Lamp Architects & BBC.