Clare Winchester has restored and converted a derelict windmill in Kent using innovative methods and materials. "By creating just one room per floor it’s still possible to experience the entire space almost exactly as it would have been," says Clare. The heavy beams that support the giant spur wheel and original machinery, together with items salvaged from the restoration work, have been preserved where possible. “It took two years to complete the conversion, and it was a very exciting and intense time, with endless decisions to make,” says Clare.

Tower Mill is a prime example of how modern technology can give an old building a new life as a cutting-edge, sustainable and economical family home yet still retaining links to its historical past. The 17th-century Grade II listed mill in Little Downham had fallen into disrepair when it was bought by Henry and Jayne Martin, who could immediately see its potential. “I was keen to invest in various renewable technologies to produce a property with the lowest possible carbon, running and maintenance costs,” explains Henry.

“This is definitely not a bungalow,” says Les Manning of the highly contemporary and sustainable new home he and wife Jan have built next to a 13th-century listed Norman church in a Conservation Area. “It’s a house that just happens to be single storey.” Their jaw-dropping new home boasts swooping mono-pitch roofs, and is clad in a combination of dressed stone and the type of fibre-cement weatherboarding more commonly seen on commercial buildings.

Richard and Helen Morris found a property in a location that suited them perfectly in idyllic Derbyshire countryside. They then faced a four-year planning battle to extend and remodel it to bring order to the disjointed spaces and oddly shaped rooms before they achieved their dream home.

A four-storey home in one of Sheffield’s most sought-after locations features a basement cinema, wine cellar and garden cabin. James Hinchliffe had a clear idea of the type of home he wanted to build. “Our old house had no kerb appeal, so the new one needed a stronger roadside presence, and I also wanted to create a memorable entrance with a large glazed atrium," he says. Retaining the sloping, tiered garden was a priority, and rather than extending the footprint of the original two-storey house its replacement has been designed over four storeys. The lower ground floor houses a cinema room; bedrooms for children and guests are on the first floor; and the second floor is dedicated to a master bedroom suite with a fully-glazed gable.

Mention the term ‘smart home’ and a number of things immediately spring to mind: security, energy management, lighting and audio-visual systems – all designed with the aim of making life easier. No longer do we have to worry needlessly about whether we locked the door, switched off the iron or turned down the thermostat when we are away on holiday. These can be taken care of at the switch of a button or via your smartphone. Such advances are accessible to anyone. We look at just a few ways you can turn your house into a smart home.

Image: Loxone Blinds

Amos Lighting, which was launched in Exeter in 2000, is a highly respected company that provides a comprehensive lighting design service. Supplying products sourced from around the world, Amos Lighting work with architects and interior designers on a range of residential and commercial projects. Talking to SelfBuild & Design, David offers advice on how selfbuilders can be more creative with lighting and answers some lighting FAQs.

Pam Baker has created a large kitchen to be the heart of the home and bring the breezy outdoors lifestyle of Sydney across the world to England’s Home Counties in response to a very specific brief from a family relocated from Australia.

At the heart of any kitchen is the cooker, and with an impressive line-up on the market, from cast iron to stainless steel, the range cooker has become the appliance of choice for many homeowners. Boasting more hobs, zones and cavities than a standard cooker, its sleek appearance is an added benefit. Our feature looks at 27 contrasting models.

Image: Falcon

In the UK, condensation in our homes is largely considered inevitable as humidity levels are high and the weather is frequently cold. For the most part, condensation isn’t a problem when at low levels and readily dissipates with basic ventilation, such as opening a window. However, a high level of condensation is an issue, and not just in old properties. Jon Hill addresses the most common questions about condensation and how to prevent it.

We look at different flooring options, including preparation, and how to make the right choice for your home.

Structural and interior design should be one and the same, argues Gerald Cole.

Robert Matthews: An introduction to Passive House - the origin and conception of the German standard.

Image : Potton

Legal advice: Property law specialist, Guy Elyahou, examines a reader's dilemma over sacking a builder.

Plot Doctor: Could a strip of land, formerly an agricultural access, make a building plot in a Bedfordshire market town for would-be selfbuilder Alice Wilson?