Grand Designs 14x10

Revisited – Tiverton: Crooked Chocolate Box Cottage

Kevin McCloud returns to Devon for an update on one of the most inspirational builds he has ever witnessed. Marine Captain Jon White and wife Becky were living happily in a small cottage in Devon when in June 2010, while serving in Afghanistan, Jon stepped on an improvised explosive device.

Jon lost both legs and his right arm. Every part of his and Becky’s lives had to change – starting with where they could live. Their architect came up with a cutting edge, semi open plan building with a dramatic wing-like-roof; but crucially it was to be without noticeable adaptations for Jon’s disabilities.

It was an ambitious design, and despite the help of a number of military charities and a capable team of builders, Jon was already under severe pressure to finish the house, when news came that Becky was pregnant.

Has the new home proved as enabling for Jon, Becky and their expanding family as they’d hoped?