October 15th 2024.
One of the most infamous projects in the history of Grand Designs has recently been given a new lease on life. Over the years, the show has witnessed numerous dream projects turn into nightmares, leaving homeowners with unfinished homes and crippling debt. A prime example of this was the "saddest ever home," which became a cautionary tale for many viewers. Yet, there was another property that met a similarly unfortunate fate. This one-of-a-kind build, located on an Essex beach, was eventually taken over by squatters.
In 2007, Chris Miller and his wife Sze Liu Laine embarked on a truly unique project. They spent £50,000 to build an environmentally-friendly houseboat from a rusting Thames barge. Their goal was to create a two-storey, three-bedroom home using only eco-friendly and second-hand materials. The couple, who also had two children, were in search of a more spacious and affordable home than their small East London flat.
However, the episode chronicling their journey revealed numerous challenges and clashes with builders. One construction worker even went so far as to declare their passion project as "s***". Host Kevin McCloud described it as a "floating scrapheap challenge". Despite these setbacks, the couple pressed on, determined to see their vision come to life.
Unfortunately, their dream was short-lived. Due to budget overruns and unexpected expenses, the Millers were forced to abandon the project and jump ship, so to speak. A few years later, in 2011, the Medway Eco-Barge was discovered washed up and vandalised on an Essex beach, serving as a makeshift home for squatters.
Despite its troubled history, Rob and Sarah Burch saw potential in the barge and decided to give it a second chance. The couple, who own a steel frame firm, spent £150,000 on transforming one of Grand Designs' most notorious builds into their dream holiday home. They jumped at the opportunity to work on the vessel at their boatyard in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, and purchased it from a boatyard in Southend for £70,000.
Rob, 54, explained that the barge was in decent condition externally, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that a lot of work needed to be done. They initially planned to recycle the materials already on board, but as they delved deeper into the project, they realized that a complete refit was necessary. This included replacing the flooring and other structural elements.
Working on a boat presented its own set of challenges, especially when it came to tides and storms. But after two years of hard work, the Burch family finally completed their ambitious project. The barge now boasts a luxurious bath, fully equipped kitchen, cosy living room, small library, and even a rooftop BBQ area for entertaining.
Sarah shared that the houseboat has become a "nice little pad" for them to escape to when they're not at home. They have no plans of selling the boat, as they have grown attached to it. Grand Designs can be streamed on Channel 4. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can get in touch with The Agency entertainment team via email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you.
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