A ‘floating’ home that featured on Grand Designs and was slammed by viewers as one of the ‘worst’ they’ve ever seen is up for grabs for £1.95million.
The cantilevered steel-framed four-bedroom house was built on a flood plain on the Essex coast.
It appeared on the Channel 4 show in October 2021, with self-builder Geoff – then 63-years-old – explaining how he planned to spend his retirement completing the property.
The completed project led to the show’s presenter Kevin McCloud saying that the interior – which included a blue carpet and orange sofa combination – wasn’t ‘fashionable’.
A ‘floating’ home featured on Grand Designs is on the market for £1.95million via Fine & Country estate agents
The show’s presenter Kevin McCloud said the interior – which included a blue carpet and orange sofa combination – wasn’t ‘fashionable’
The house in the Essex village of Mayland, which is located between Burnham-on-Crouch and Maldon, and is called Seal Point.
It extends across 3,600 square feet, with views across the Blackwater River Estuary.
It is set across a gravity-defying cantilevered first floor, which is around 4.5 metres above ground level.
The staircase and lift rise to a first floor hallway and an open-plan living room with a kitchen.
There is a substantial 260 degree wrap around terrace that connects the rooms and overlooks the large garden with a gated driveway.
The four-bedroom house in the Essex village of Mayland is called Seal Point and extends across 3,600 square feet, with views across the Blackwater River Estuary
There is a staircase and lift that leads to the hallway on the first floor hallway of the property
The steel superstructure sits on concrete piles drilled 14 metres into the ground and the ground floor is constructed out of poured waterproof concrete.
There are solar tiles on the roof and an electronically controlled gated entrance, along with a security system.
The sale of the property is being handled by Fine & Country, which said: ‘Seal Point is a one-off modern family home set in a striking architect designed floating superstructure commanding far reaching views across the home’s coastal location.’
The sale of the property is being handled by Fine & Country, which described Seal Point as ‘a one-off modern family home’
Self-builder Geoff budgeted £700,000 to build the unusual home on the Essex coastline
Self-builder Geoff moved into a caravan for two years while he project managed the construction of the property.
He had to sell his luxury villa in Spain – where he had lived for 20 years – to help finance the £700,000 project.
Viewers were left unimpressed with the result, with the show’s presenter Kevin McCloud even admitting the interior, which included a blue carpet and orange sofa combination, wasn’t ‘fashionable’.
‘Awful house, awful decor. One of the worst houses I’ve ever seen,’ wrote one viewer.
The steel superstructure sits on concrete piles drilled 14 metres into the ground and the ground floor is constructed out of poured waterproof concrete
During the Grand Designs episode, presenter Kevin noted how complex the house was to build, saying: ‘Arguably, the most important part of Geoff’s solo project will be underground. Here, 30 heavy weight, concrete steel piles will be drilled 14 metres deep.
‘These piles will be key in anchoring this house to the ground.
‘The piles will connect to an industrial steel-strength frame, comprising 560 steel girders – forming one huge cantilever. The frame’s job is to transform the load of the building into the earth.’
He continued: ‘The ground floor will be poured in waterproof concrete and will house a utility area and a garage.
‘Upstairs, the external and the partition walls will all be made from timber – wrapping between and around the steels.
‘On this floor, an open plan living room and kitchen will lead to a large balcony through floor to ceiling windows, with views that will stretch out across the estuary.’
There is a substantial 260 degree wrap around terrace that connects the various rooms in the house
Kevin went on to say that the three bedrooms would each have views and their own en-suite bathrooms, while an eye-catching, jagged roof finished with solared tiles would help to power the highly unusual island home.
He added: ‘Should the local flood defences be breeched, a bunged wall will keep Geoff’s garden dry, but if the waters rise further, his power supply and drainage will be protected and the living spaces will continue to function.’
Kevin added that Geoff’s interior choices have clearly been void in the knowledge that the only person he needs to please is himself.
‘There are two more guest bedrooms, each with their own intoxicating views – and there’s even room for a study.
‘Look at this, this is respectable Geoff,’ said Kevin. ‘Beautiful green carpet connecting to the landscape outside.’
He added: ‘This house doesn’t look like a furniture show home – it’s not bland and it’s not grey.
‘It’s not fashionable but it is Geoff’s autobiography. It’s everything that means something to him – and that’s quite humbling.’
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
