A Hertfordshire couple starred on Channel 4’s Grand Designs this week, which showed them levelling their £800k property and building a dream home.
Matthew and Davidzo live in the Chess Valley area and orchestrated the “mammoth task” with no project management experience and a £550k budget.
Dubbed a “gutsy global hub” by presenter Kevin McCloud, it involved building a multi-level house on a slope that embodies their Australian and Zimbabwean roots.
But the setbacks didn’t take long. Bad weather, building complications and soaring material costs blew their budget and nine-month timescale out the water.
Matthew, a digital product designer, at one stage says they were suffering “death by a thousand cuts” – referring to small additions adding up.
The pair are also seen struggling to juggle the demands of day-to-day work life and looking after their two young children.
But after 17 months, Matthew and Davidzo are seen enjoying the fruits of their labours, though it ended up costing £160k over budget – £710k total.
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When asked how they afforded it, Davidzo said: “We had access to a bit more [money], but I think the tribe came good as well. By the tribe I mean the family.”
Matthew added: “They just said, you know you’ve got your vision, you only get one shot at this and we support you all the way. It’s amazing.”
The stunning triple-level house has five bedrooms, five bathrooms and is wrapped in flint and charred timber.
Upon seeing the final result, Keven McCloud says: “I am not disappointed. Wow. It’s beautiful. Matt and Davi’s house does not conform and it does embody them.
“Defying convention, these rebels have built a bridge and a moat, instead of a wall or hedge.”
He adds: “It’s brilliant because it’s 50 per cent Australian and 50 per cent African. As they say in Australia, ‘strewth’.”
Earlier in the show, the pair were asked how locals initially responded to the plans, to which Davidzo replied “ruffled” because “apparently it’s too different”, but the planners “loved it”.
The full episode can be seen on the All 4 on demand service.
A closer look inside
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