I hope it might also encourage Developers to grasp the nettle and embrace contemporary house design so it becomes readily accessible to the increasing demand for all things contemporary.
Initially I thought it would be helpful to some of those self-builders to let you know how Judy and I secured a building plot and planning permission for a unique contemporary house in an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in Buckinghamshire.

Building started in November 2001 and the project has proven a significant challenge - there are certainly things that we could have done differently and better. I hope this will provide a useful resource to those who are thinking about a contemporary project.

We will build up the available LINKS - and give you details of 'the team', the materials and goods we use in the project and why.

Pictures of the site, with details of our plans and accompanying graphics will I hope, give you a very clear idea of the project. We will be updating the site showing our progress, and how on target we are.

Why Cloud 8? An acquaintance in the US had a house in Florida called Cloud 9.

We were discussing this with our children and explained what it meant. My son George wanted to know why it could not be another number like 8. Indeed why not? His suggestion also implied that we were in pursuit of design perfection. Nice one George.