Designing Happiness

Designing Happiness

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Designing Happiness episodes

  • 5: What's a Quantity Surveyor & how to Value Engineer your project.
    This week we talked to the seasoned Quantity Surveyor Millie Lucas about the role of a QS in a renovation or extension project and what lessons we can learn from her years in the construction industry.

    We start by learning that we are all capable of making minor omissions in the project but they can have expensive consequences!  The devil is in the detail and never take something just on word alone.

    Millie describes how the Quantity Surveyor is the ‘purse strings’ of a project and they are obligated to work to get the best value for their client during the ‘Buy It’ Stage. (see here for a link to a short podcast on the 5 stages of a home renovation or extension project).

    We go through the reasonable level of information to receive from your contractors Quantity Surveyor and Millie reminds us if there is no programme then it is likely that the costs have not been calculated accurately. 

    We discuss the use of Gumtree, Freecycle and NextDoor to sell ‘left over’ materials, but we also talk about how to avoid this in the first place!

    Millie spills her secrets on getting the best price through shopping around, going straight to the manufacturer and if possible getting your contractor to purchase it, as they might well have much stronger buying power than you.  And watch out for those fancy showrooms as that fancy thick brochure and free drinks are being added onto the cost of your product!

    We cover What Value Engineering is, which is an elegant way of saying cost saving.  Millie tells us there are 3 fundamental ways to Value Engineer: assess if there is a better cost method of installing the item, a different and lower priced product or a reduction in the finish to a cheaper specification.

    BUT Millie reminds us that we need to have conversations with the people we are doing the project, your partner or other home users.  The value engineer options are easy to come up with but, unless you know what each uses ‘need to and nice to’s’ are for the home design, you might cut something which you later lead to regret. We are trying to design happiness, not anger and animosity!

    And remember, if you find that the project value is simply more than you can afford, even after value engineering, it isn’t that your dream won’t happen, it is just postponed until you can save the funds.

    To find an independent QS please visit the professional bodies RICS and CIOB, if in doubt call up and have a chat about your project.

    46 min
  • 4: Designing and installing a Green Roof
    This week we talk green and living roofs with Chris Bridgman of Bridgman & Bridgman landscapes.

    We learn that the terms living roof and green roof can be used interchangeably as they are both a roof which has living plant on it.  Sometimes they are called brown roofs when they are really dry and the plants appear to have died back, but Chris reassures us that, when installed correctly, they always spring back, thats the nature of the wonderful alpine sedum used.

    Abi was quite surprised to hear that a green roof can go up to a 45 degree pitch, so aren’t just something to consider if you are planning a flat roof extension.  He also gave us the weight loads to consider - something which is always worth considering at the planning and designing stages of your project so you can made the simple structural design adjustments to accommodate the green roof of your choice.

    We learn about the plant types and their individual maintenance requirements.  There are no green roofs which require zero maintenance, but they are very simple to manage compared to a garden, just 2 - 4 times a year, depending on the type you have.

    Chris goes through the cost benefits of a green roof including thermal, prevention of wear and tear, acoustic, aesthetic and potentially even adds value to your home*

    *This was not scientifically tested - Abi and Chris agreed we’d prefer a green roof and see it as a sight of a quality build.

    But the most important take away was for you to tell your architect and builder as early in the process as possible, that you would like to consider a green roof.

    For more information see GRO, the UK trade body where there are Green Roof specialists who are working in your area 

    For more information on Chris and his company, please visit his website Gardens in the Sky

    and follow him on Instagram and Twitter 

    For more information on this podcast and other episodes please visit www.EDDPodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @EDDPodcast and Twitter @EDDPodcast  

    If you have enjoyed this episode please rate, review and subscribe as it helps other home owners design their happiness. 

    25 min
  • 3: Commissioning and Installing an outdoor sculpture
    This week we talk to Paul Vanstone about the process of preparing for, planning and commission outdoor art.  As a veteran marble sculptor who sells and installs his pieces globally - Paul has lots of advice to dispense.  

    We recorded this podcast at his atelier so thanks for understanding about some of the background noise.

    Paul gives us great advice about the confidence and trust in the artist to commission a piece.  He gives us examples of the process he goes through with clients and encourages the listeners to be involved in the process.

    The three top tips for putting a sculpture outdoors are:

    1) Selection of the space / Location - he uses different size cardboard cut outs (which he calls his Monty Python process) to try the pieces in different locations.  the different size pieces help to get the scale correct.

    2) Ground work / base preparation - make the supportive ground structure bigger than the base of the piece.  When it finally comes in you might find it looks better a couple of feet to the left.  The additional footings are minimal in cost to give you that ability to adjust.

    3) Plan the sculpture in conjunction with your gardener / landscape architect so the two work together -the sculpture should be put in when the garden is ready, which might be well before the plants go in, or at the point of landscaping because this is the best access moment. 

    Paul talks about how to commission something new - if the exact piece you want isn’t available or you want something bespoke, the timescales for doing this and the communication during this process.

    And finally we talk about budget - how you think about and talk about the cost of art.  This isn’t a comfortable conversation for everyone, but Paul is very honest about how and when you have those conversations and how the artist might be able to help you tweak the piece, it’s size or base material, to help bring the sculpture into your budget.

    At this time of year Paul would normally be at the Royal Horticulture Society’s annual Chelsea Flower Show - which has been cancelled due to Covid, but as his atelier is outdoors, he is still able to work and is open to customers.  

    Paul can be contacted via his website https://www.paulvanstone.co.uk or on instagram @Paulvanstonesculptures 

    For more information on this podcast and other episodes please visit www.EDDPodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @EDDPodcast and Twitter @EDDPodcast  

    If you have enjoyed this episode please rate, review and subscribe as it helps other home owners design their happiness. 


    40 min
  • 12: Episode 12: Water
    It’s not quite been a long hot summer – but Abigail and Rachel have been reflecting on the importance of water. It’s also been a busy month or two… so while this was recorded in June we’re releasing it in July. We’ll be taking the rest of the summer ‘off’ (but do you ever REALLY stop thinking about design???)

    For full shownotes visit: https://eddpodcast.com/2019/07/20/episode-12-water/

    Follow us on Insta and Twitter @EDDPodcast and get in touch.
    Don't forget to rate us wherever you're listening to this now. 

    45 min
  • 11: Episode 11: Soane Spectacular
    Sir John Soane is Rachel’s favourite architect of all time. A bold statement no doubt. But this month Abigail and Rachel visit the recently reopened Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing, West London and explore what makes Soane such an inspiration after all these years.

    Next month we'll be talking about water in the home, garden and city - get in touch if you have thoughts! [email protected]

    For full details go to our website www.eddpodcast.com 
    Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @eddpodcast

    46 min
  • 10: Episode 10: Renewal

    Spring is finally here. Abigail and Rachel talk about all things renewal. Journey with us through Rachel’s recent trips abroad and Abigail’s garden design revelations as we explore making old things new again.

    For full show notes visit www.eddpodcast.com

    Ask us questions / get in touch on Twitter and Instagram @eddpodcast

    51 min
  • 9: Kitchen Consultation

    We promise we're not sponsored by Ikea... but when we found out that they had a new concept store on Tottenham Court Road in central London we just HAD to head over and find out how it worked.

    For full show notes and the downloadable questions visit www.eddpodcast.com

    21 min
  • 8: Five go to the Design Museum

    It was a blustery and busy February – we managed the take a family trip to the Design Museum, and reflect on some of our favourite design concepts like legacy and delight – but we didn’t manage to get this posted… so a little bit late – here is our (slightly belated) February edition.

    For full shownotes visit www.eddpodcast.com

    Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @eddpodcast

    49 min

About Designing Happiness

From the publisher's feed

Are you a home owner planning to renovate or extend?  Abigail Hall, Construction Technical Design Expert shares her knowledge, contacts and lessons learned via interviews with specialists so you…