A GRAND PLACE TO CALL HOME
Just over a year ago Channel 4’s Grand Designs TV show featured one of its most challenging builds, a partially cob-constructed home and cookery school built by food writer Mark Diacono and his wife Candida.
Otter Farm, which includes two buildings with hyperbolic roofs inspired by the shape of a plough, houses the couple’s home as well as a winery, farm shop and cookery school. Both structures feature wall insulation made from old newspapers, are heated by thermodynamic panels, have mud or cob walls and a garden which supplies much of the food for the house.
Their home is timber-framed and clad in larch and both properties have grass roofs.
Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of the build, however, was that they set out to complete the project despite knowing they didn’t have enough money to finish it.
Consequently, one of the more gobsmacking parts of the programme was when the couple started an online crowdfunding campaign and raised an extra £60,000 to finish the property, which was estimated to cost £560,000.
But they have decided to move on. The stunning property is now for sale and comes with nearly 16 acres of land including a river meadow and fishing rights on the adjoining Otter river. The home has two reception rooms and a study downstairs and four bedrooms upstairs. The second building includes a huge studio-style open space.
It’s near Honiton in Devon and is for sale for around £1.6m. Exact price on application from Stags, 01404 45885.