A perfect fit

Built into a sloping site, Chris and Anthea Desyllas’ three storey home has been designed to slot unobtrusively into the topography of the land and make the most of the pleasant forest views

WORDS IFEOLUWA ADEDEJI PHOTOS RICHARD GADSBY

THE DESYLLAS FILE

NAMES Chris & Anthea Desyllas

OCCUPATIONS Semi-retired

LOCATION Essex

TYPE OF BUILD Self build

STYLE Contemporary

CONSTRUCTION METHOD Steel frame, timber frame & brick and block

PLOT SIZE 688m²

LAND COST £516,000

BOUGHT 2013

HOUSE SIZE 300m²

PROJECT COST £1,000,000

PROJECT COST PER M2 £3,333

TOTAL COST £1,516,000

BUILDING WORK COMMENCED January 2014

BUILDING WORK TOOK 60 weeks

CURRENT VALUE £1,700,000

The open-plan ground floor is flooded with natural light thanks to full height glazing, which stretches across the entire side of this storey

The idea of self building had always appealed to Chris and Anthea Desyllas, but it wasn’t something that the couple thought they’d ever get the chance to experience. They were living in an Edwardian home in St Albans, but had started thinking about where to settle permanently and raise their two young children. So, when the opportunity to replace a rundown property presented itself, they simply couldn’t turn it down.

Anthea grew up near to the plot – in fact, the existing house had been occupied by a relative, and Anthea owned a part share in the property. On top of that, her mother now lived next door. When the family member sadly passed away, the couple bought the dwelling outright and set about planning their project. “We thought it’d be a great opportunity for the kids to be near their grandmother,” explains Chris. “When we were looking to complete the purchase a neighbour, who is a builder, put an offer in on the house. We figured if he was interested, it must be worth it.”