A glass fronted five-bedroom Grand Designs house that presenter Kevin McCloud described as his ‘dream home’ is on the market for £1million.
Richard and Pru Irvine created their custom-built house ten years ago after a mammoth construction project.
The unique property in Pathhead, Midlothian, is set against 18th century lime kilns and its floor to ceiling windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
This building work of this glass fronted property in Midlothian was filmed for Channel 4’s Grand Designs
The unique property, which boasts floor-ceiling windows, is now on the market for around £1million
Grand Design’s presenter Kevin McCloud looks around the house with owners Richard and Pru Irvine during filming for the property show
It also boasts two kitchens, an indoor garden, a TV room, a large drawing room, cloakroom and a boot room.
The garden consists of a large barn, a swimming pond, a patio with pizza oven in the kilns, a wild flower meadow, an orchard and a large fruit and vegetable garden.
Known as Hope House, the home has received awards from the Saltire Society and Edinburgh Architectural Association. It has now gone on the market for offers over £925,000.
Earlier this year, when asked to pick his personal highlights from Grand Designs, McCloud singled out Hope House.
He said: ‘Richard and Pru wanted a modern building, but it had to fit in with its surroundings.
‘So the house had a hat made out of wooden shingles, rather like a lid, but still achieved the purist white crystalline thing.
Buyers can unwind and entertain in this attractive dining area which offers views of the surrounding countryside
In its garden the property has pizza ovens built off the patio and a swimming lake
The spacious property has five bedrooms to choose from, perfect for those who like to entertain guests or buyers looking to start a family
‘I liked that, and the way it nodded to the vernacular. It was a resounding happy medium.’
After viewing the completed building, the presenter said: ‘It’s a great building and to be honest, this is what I’d want. I don’t say I want many things in life, but this I want.’
Mrs Irvine told how they are now selling up as they are planning to move to the Isle of Colonsay.
She said: ‘We will be very sad to leave. The house is beautiful, it has an incredibly calm and lovely feel to it, and we have loved living here.
‘The building project was wonderful and it was a fantastic experience to be part of.
‘Kevin McCloud really loved the house and has always said very nice things about it.
‘I think the house would suit anybody who wants to live in a very tranquil and open environment.’
A sales brochure for the property reads: ‘Long, low and international describes this beautiful award-winning house.
‘A Channel 4 ‘Grand Designs’ house, this is a spacious, light-filled and modern building set against bold and impressive 18th century lime kilns.
‘With panoramic views from every window, the house looks across uninterrupted, stunning countryside.
During Grand Designs, presenter Kevin Cloud described the property as a ‘great building’ and one that he would ‘want’
Mr and Mrs Irvine (pictured on the Grand Designs) told how they are now selling up as they are planning to move to the Isle of Colonsay
Mr Irvine discusses the design of the house with host Kevin McCloud, while building work was still underway
‘The house was built by its current owners in 2007 to encompass green technologies, sustainable and locally supplied materials wherever possible.’
The Irvines bought the site, which housed two lime kilns and several derelict buildings, in December 2003 and the house project took four years to complete.
It took 20 months to get planning permission, despite there being no objections, and 16 letters of support.
Then building work was delayed by five months to November 2006 as soil tests were carried out to ensure the former industrial site wasn’t contaminated.
The bill for the roof came in at £25,000 alone – while a wall of windows set them back £40,000.