Watch Sheffield 'ugly house' turn into a lovely green home on TV show

City architects CE+CA Studio featured on George Clarke’s TV series to transform a growing family’s 1930s Sheffield semi.

They battled against the COVID-19 lockdown to create a home that was 60 per cent bigger thanks to two extensions, with energy, light and water-conserving features throughout.

Around 75 per cent of the original building is now wrapped in new materials with high-insulation properties and there’s even a wildflower meadow on the roof of the rear extension.

“The project demonstrates how existing homes can be retrofitted and extended to achieve much higher thermal performances through standard build techniques,” said Howard Evans, who runs CE+CA Studio with fellow architect Prue Chiles.

Greg and Helen Watson applied to the show while buying the Millhouses property, which had planning permission for a large extension.

They learned they had been accepted weeks after moving in during January and wanted to start construction swiftly, as they were expecting their third child in June.

CE+CA, who felt the scheme was too big and would steal too much of the garden, came up with a visionary new design.

It was swiftly taken through planning and CE+CA, who have appeared on a previous episode of Ugly House, introduced the Watsons to green-thinking businesses including Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens.

The company created a bespoke kitchen, featuring worktops made from science laboratory benches salvaged from local schools. The cabinets are fashioned from eco-board, produced from 100% recycled timber.

Good neighbours add value to your home

Both businesses report a surge in business as a result of the pandemic.

The Watsons finally moved back in earlier this month, £20,000 over their £120,000 budget. Camera crews caught the moment less than two weeks before the programme aired.

A side and rear extension has given them four large bedrooms, a home office and a large L-shaped, kitchen-living space.

“No-one could have predicted the problems we would have to face,” said Helen. “But finally walking back into a house we had only lived in for a few weeks was amazing.

“The house had gone from cramped and dark to having stacks of space and light. Now it’s absolutely beautiful.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.