I Turned this Awkward Old Chapel into A Spectacular 3-Bed Home
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This disused Chapel has proportions that make it challenging to carry out a straightfoward conversion into a home. With high windows at only one level the challenge is to achieve a successful design that is not compromised by the non-residential scale of the space. This video will show you how I turned this awkward building into a well proportioned comfortable home. This unique house design is great for those looking for ideas to renovate unusual buildings while learning about the architect's design process.
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COPYRIGHT:
All designs shown on the Gemma Wheeler Architecture KZhead channel belong to Gemma Wheeler. To acquire a license for use, please make contact at www.gemmawheeler.co
CREDIT:
Art hanging on walls by the extraordinary Beatrice Forshall: www.beatriceforshall.com
Check out her book: The Book of Vanishing Species: amzn.to/3Qwc7UV
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#Tiny House
#Architecture
#Abandoned Building
#Renovation
Disclaimer:
The purpose of this channel is for entertainment only. All copyright belongs to the Architect. All designs presented here are based on a brief and notional desktop study of site constraints and conditions and should NOT be taken as advice, guarantee or warrant that any planning permission or other regulatory requirement would be granted. Gemma Wheeler Architecture does not provide any legal, investment or financial advice or information and is not advising on the commercial viability or suitability of any proposals. The relevant independent expert advice regarding the relevant risks should be sought accordingly. Under no circumstances will Gemma Wheeler be held responsible in any way for any content communicated in these videos, whether by Gemma Wheeler or a third party. In no event shall Gemma Wheeler be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages, or any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the availability, use or performance of any information communicated in these videos.
Wow. Wow. Wow! Just such a clever, practical, and yet beautiful use of this space.
Thanks so much! 😊
It was beautiful
I really like your videos but the music is distracting. It’s difficult to concentrate on your commentary, or should I listen to the music? Otherwise everything is so well done!
The leap from a 1 level home to ultimately creating 3 levels is architecturally brilliant. True genius here.
Good for a 25-30 year old couple who have children at least 6-7 years old. Steps will be too much for older couple and too dangerous for couples that have toddlers. As for the interior, there are building products made from lightweight cement products that look like stone. This material can be used over an insulated wall covered in cement board. Net result, it appears that certain walls retain the stone look of the structure. Nice home layout!
I am simply stunned at how beautiful, clean, and interesting this is. You are a genius.
Agreed. This design is magnificent!
Also, agree. You accomplished this artistry within the confines of a building originally designed to be a church. Must admit I saw little of value when I saw the original state of the building. So, recognizing you are an exceptional problem solver, I’m curious what you would design from scratch given the landscape of your choice. If this work already exists, may we see it, along with your detailed explanations of how you approached the design and challenged yourself?
Stun-ning!!
This is what architecture is all about. I'm tired of the cookie cutter buildings we have here in the US.
Cookie cutter buildings are everywhere. You can do this inside a “cookie cutter” envelope if you had the brilliance, patience, and money. The sad reality of this hokey structure in backwater England is that whomever buys it will likely not create something as fantastic as these renderings.
This can be accomplished in a “cookie cutter” home. Are there churches for sale in USA?
@socalstr the comment “sad reality…” is far from the truth.
@@socalstr This is the type of thinking that has resulted in our cookie cutter world. Never questioning the way we live always satisfied with mediocrity. I wonder if you ever bother getting out of bed to do something positive in your life? Better yet just go back to bed .
@@sheilakerr-jones4345. There are many people who live in churches they renovated in the US…..but you don’t need a church when you can hire an architect to renovate inside a regular house. You just have to have a lot of money and it can be done….and that’s the problem…most people can’t afford an architect or to redesign their home.
How rare to see an architect with such imagination and practical skills. Utter pleasure. Thank you.
It's a beautiful render and a clever design, I do often wonder with house ideas like these how difficult they would be to keep clean! I'm just imagining the dust and cobwebs settling on those rafters.
Telescoping dusters should do the trick. Some of them reach 30 ft or more.
That occurred to me as well. I think the dusters would need to be deployed very often. It's possible, however, that an efficient HVAC plant with HEPA filtration would reduce the dust load while creating a healthier building.
My old Victorian is a dusty old barn of a place but I employ air filters
@@williamsstephens in fact no more dusty than any other horizontal surface. Feather dusters are the answer.
Also wondering how one would heat it...!
I’m in the UK and can tell you that, from bitter experience, not all architects are this competent. We have had a 500 square metre barn converted and our time with the architects was…interesting. So interesting that we are now taking them to Court because of the £300k plus (we say) their errors cost us. Anyway. Most architects plans show a utopia of living that doesn’t exist. Storage is a key item which is either not included or minimal. If you have or have had children, you know how much storage room they need.
Boy do I hear you. We also fell for a beautiful drawing the architect drew, and spent 10 years suffering through the financial collapse involved in turning the impractical but lovely picture into a functioning dwelling. If only we had found This architect first!😢
Ohh, I love it so much ❤
I think that you should tell us their name to warn other potential clients
I hear you, if the esteemed architect we employed had half the ideas this lady had then he might not have gotten himself fired.
Not only is this home incredibly beautiful and unique, but the way you used the physical space with all it's existing limitations is incredibly innovative and creative. I would absolutely love to live here! Thank you for showing the world that you can preserve older buildings while creating functional and beautiful living spaces!
WOW
Gemma, I live for your videos. 😊I admire your creativity and use of space. I’m not an architect (rather, a lawyer), but as a hobby I look at abandoned buildings and sketch out plans. I’m old school - graph paper. But it brings me hours of satisfaction to figure out how to make a small space work. Thank you for the inspiration!
I’m so glad you enjoy it too!
I enjoy your videos, I admire your simplistic way of communicating your ideas. I'm an architectural student, can you mentor me? I'll be pleased
Same here....lawyer with doing architectural drawings on sheets of paper🙃
Pure genius!
Beautiful and clever. Not much storage and no laundry space.
This looks brilliant. One thing I noticed when watching these design videos, nobody thinks about storage near the entrance. Where do all the shoes, jakets, bags go? Another problem with entering an open space is the weather you let in. Every time you open the front door in winter the temperature drops in the kitchen and living room area.
Hi - it is something I considered so I introduced a small area for coats for that exact reason. I think in reality you’d put a bit more of that kind of storage but I didn’t think I needed to be excessive for the render and I didn’t want to interrupt the open basement concept at this stage. There is a porch so you’d avoid the temperature issue fortunately. It just wasn’t large enough to store things in.
What does the property include...off street parking? @@gemmawheeler
I'm always looking for "where's the storage space?" too. And in our climate of the Upper Midwest USA, we need a lot of coat/boot storage for various times of the year as well as other types of storage as well. In climates where there aren't huge temperature fluctuations like we have ( -40F to 100F) this probably isn't as crucial, allowing the architect to utilize space differently.
Brilliant! The clean lines give an air of elegant simplicity in a space that required quite complicated design to make the most out of the existing features and space for a home that is truly livable. Brava!
Space under the raised floor could probably entertain a pull out hanging and or basket drawer system.
Nice work Gemma! 👍
You just put life and light into this structure with strengthening 💥💥💥
Amazing as usual...dynamic visualization
STUNNING !!!!
Gemma, this is your best video so far. I cannot imagine how any other design would still allow 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and still have space for a large living, dining and kitchen area. Good tricks for getting light into the floating bathroom as well. I like the mix of keeping some rafters visible, but not all of them. Great stuff! I would love to see the building finished exactly to your plans.
This is so stunning. I think this is my favorite of your reconstructions/redesigns. I wish I lived in the U.K. Or could afford to bring you across the pond and have you design my future house!
Thank you so much!
I think mine too❣️😍
I agree! Love, love, love this !!!
It is an amazing ability to be able to visualize a 3D space, but to conjure up such a unique environment while doing it is on another level!
I love when windows start at the floor like that in the bedrooms. So under realized in spaces; the tub room and all the sky lights are always so good❤
I really like how the design is very open and expansive while still allowing for bedroom and bathroom private spaces. Almost optical illusion like.
I am glad you moved the bedrooms upstairs and had the main living area on the second floor with most of the windows. Well done!
Utterly brilliant !
I've never wanted to live anywhere so much! What a divine solution. So elegant. Well done.
Every video you blow me away with how creative you think about planning a space and how it would be used. Amazing
It is quite incredible what you did with that chapel by turning it into a home. Genius, really ! Inspirational 🌹
What a creative vision! Love it!
A stellar concept 🤍
The only thing I see missing is linen storage for the bathrooms and the small drawer space for clothes in the bedroom closets. Storage to keep things out of site is an issue. However I love the design you have worked out for this building, it's very smart.
Hey, it’s in there I just didn’t do a render of it inside. Take a look at the basement plan - I’ve given over the end portion to a large utility, storage, wc, everything-practical area. Re the wardrobes, there’s a little set of drawers in each. You can catch a glimpse in one of the bedrooms where the doors are open.
You are seriously incredible. I’m so grateful you do this channel, I hope it inspires people to step away from the conventional and expected.
Holy smoke! Your imagination is out of this world. You are genius in what you do. Stunning stunning work😍
You amaze us with each of your design solutions but this is pure genius. Brava Gemma! 👏👏👏
What an incredible design! I can’t believe how much you fit into the space and yet still make the volumes appear large. I’d love to live in such a place! So much character.
Your ability to create both highly functional and artfully sculptural spaces is magical.
This lady has such gift❤
Amazing work. I could not have imagined that solution. Beautiful!
I am an architecture student and learn so much from your perspectives and visualisations. Thank you!
Frankly one of the most interesting and attractive plans I’ve seen for such a conversion. The vast majority of these that you see today simply don’t work - they often feel like they’re fighting with the building - this feels so sympathetic!
Sympathetic - THAT was the word I was looking for in my comment!
Very clever and thoughtful solution to this problem. You’ve made so much of that volume functional.
You are GENIUS!!! I love your ideas for small buildings to be comfortably lived in.
It's like you made the building 3 times as big. Brilliant architecture! ❤
I'm totally in awe of this design! As usual you have tackled all the challenges with a beautiful, historic building and managed to turn it into a perfect home. I hope this design will soon be realized and this old chapel will be loved.
I do have one design question though, just curious why the fridge and other kitchen components ended up off-center from the sink/island? I imagine it is for the sake of aesthetics, but I wonder about the practicality of having those things so far from the sink?
You are an ABSOLUTE genius!!!!!
This home is phenomenal in every way.
I love your videos! You have such imagination. Thank you for sharing.
This is so beautiful! And your voice and the whole vibe of the video is so calming. It's a pleasure to watch!
This is the third video I have watched of your's and they are all so well thought out and absolutely beautiful. If I ever have a renovation I would call you.
Very impressive and attractive transformation. Excellent explanation and presentation!
so brilliant!!! i reimagine floor plans in my head nearly every time i look at a space/home… it’s like a little hobby. you’re inspiring!
It really is spectacular, I’m not a big fan of modern style of decoration but I have to say, it feels like this was no challenge to you! You managed to create a masterpiece. And the design process was really pleasant to watch, great video!
That’s spectacular and really demonstrates your skill and imagination, brilliant 👍
This is beautiful. I lived in something like this and realized that sound carries. The top floor will hear everything from the bottom floors.
I think you might just be one of my favorite architects! Thank you for these videos!
I love what you do by using your creativity and imagination to solve problems and make beautiful living spaces. I was distracted by the music on this video though. To me it seemed louder than your voice. I think you wouldn't need background music while speaking. Thank you for your lovely and intelligent designs. Excellent content!
I'm nonplussed with delight, simply astounding. 🏆
Your eye for design is so amazing, beautifully done!
You are amazing..... a canadian friend
FInally a pocket door!!! I love them and am sad when I don't see them on new projects. I don't understand why more architects don't use them especially in cases where space is at a premium.
What a talented architect
This woman is a genius 🤩
Love your designs and that you also explain your designs and the reasoning behind it. ✨️❣️✨️
Cool design, Gemma!
I think I would call this the Angle house! I love it!❤
I'm in love with this building 🤩
Gemma never disappoints.
Absolutely adore the design. The layout, finishes and consistent colour schem is 🔥🔥🔥 It is a shame about the windows. They're beautiful, but I tend to feel depressed if I can't see out at sitting level. Likely from when I lived in a basement... I would like to have seen an open mud room and living area with the raised floor. With the mudroom just inside the door with storage and a bench. And then stairs leading up into the living. I don't think having a long, unused hallway is necessary. And, depending on how the raised floor is built, parts of it could be used as extra storage.
Absolutely the best solution! So clever! Love the dynamic use of space ❤💐🇦🇺
What a stunning design! Love it!
I appreciate how you take us through your thought process. So interesting. I suppose if a person preferred a historic/rustic looking interior, but with the same solutions for using the space, that could be achieved using more rustic finishes and furnishings. I've seen something similar done by using recycled wood around door frames, as flooring, etc. What is key is that a beautiful existing building will not be torn down. This really shows people how architecture isn't just about making pretty houses. My Dad designed his own house, and so much of the process was devoted to practical considerations. Your work is inspired!
I sometimes wonder how you balance the needs of an older building (maintaining breathable walls, avoiding modern materials, tanking and so on) with such a clean design?
A lot goes on behind the wall linings. You’d line out and insulate appropriately for the existing building fabric and work with a good structural engineer to find a neat structural configuration.
Stunning. I love the simplicity.
you are simply amazing. always a winner!
So interesting and out-of-the-box! I never would have thought of anything like this. Good for younger people though who are okay with climbing multiple flights of stairs every single day. I'm at an age where I want a one story house with zero stairs! haha
Basically a box.
You are really good. You come with amazing ideas that no human being would think. The results are impressive. CONGRATULATIONS!!
Thanks!
You have truly mastered the elements of design. Stunning handling of scale.
I love the sunken living area with that fireplace.
I adore your channel! I love what you are doing here. Everything you create, I want to live in. For what it's worth, I don't think you need the music in the videos. I might be alone here but I find it distracting. I like to hear what you are saying as we walk through but I keep wanting to turn the music down! lol.
FWIW, I like the music, but it could possibly be turned down just a bit. :) Beautiful solutions to some thorny problems!
this is excellent! just wondering what it would look like if the stair had a system of stair banisters and railings, permitting more of a view and adding a feeling of space and airiness.
Yes feels so closed off but the floor plan is super cool
This is bloody STUNNING.
Amazing! The only thing I would change would be to add some type of safety item around the fire. It just seems too open, however great visually, to be safe.
Stumbled across your channel, and what a treat! Thoroughly enjoy your explanation for your creative and architectural design process. Mind blown! Subscribing today!
Impeccable design sense. I am always delighted when you release a new project.
It’s very impressive what you hav done. Modern yet with the exposed wood gives it warmth. Great design.
I am in awe of the creativity of your approach to spatial challenges
Dear Gemma, you outdid yourself with this one! I found your channel recently and binge watched every video. Your ability to see inspiring and innovative designs inside ordinary buildings is amazing. I plan to renovate my house one day, and I hope I'll have a chance to seek your advice on it. Keep up the amazing work! 😉😊
I find your designs fascinating and your way of describing them clear and compelling. The way you can manipulate the 3D image mimics actually walking through the space.
stunning and brilliant! continued blessings. 🕊
What a creative use of space! Stunning!
I love watching your videos. I wonder if on the basement area there could be a 1/2 bath so that guests could go down 1/2 flight of stairs rather than up...past two bedrooms then to a full bath, thus keeping family upstairs (literally) and guests and main & basement area.
The door next to the bookcase when you come in on the basement floor is for utilities and WC (toilet), which I would imagine has a basin, making it a 1/2 bath
I think she kind of planned for that, in the layout for the basement area she has a space for utilities, water closet, etc. she just didn't build that out in the rendering!
Thanks yes it’s all in the basement - I felt the same re hiking up 2 flights to use the WC :)
If you look at the floor plan at 4:37 and listen to her comments as we enter the basement level, you'll notice that she's incorporated a utility area/WC, it's just not shown from the inside.
@@limerific2731 I forget that WC / Water Closet means Bathroom. I thought, oh that's where the water is heated & cooled. I will not not make the dialectical mistake again. LOL
Hello mrs, I really enjoy your work on all those buildings. They all have their challenges and charm. However, I'd like to see your take on something very long, with only one side exposure, like a earthship, if you know this concept. It would be very helpful to me and to others i hope. Thank you for your dedication and your videos
Have a look at my “Tricky” video - that seems to fit what you’re asking I think
Wooow!! Stunning! The house looks amaaazing!
Every video i'm watching from you i bluntly say out loud 'this must be her best work so far.' Every Video! Marvelous!
Wow, I'm impressed that you were able to "see" that solution. It's almost like turning the chapel into a townhouse (in the US that's what we call terraced houses). I'd have welcomed a much longer video with more detail. I chuckle, however, at your regular use of spider-style lamps as they would be loaded with cobwebs and difficult to clean. They do look great, though.
This is why you employ an architect. All the practicality you’d need but without sacrificing the feel of the building, carving it up into soulless blocks. Amazing work!
A well laid out and unique, one of a kind home.
What a creative, articulate and talented person
I like it a lot...some little changes such as a handrail on the staircase and the bathroom windows should have a remotecontrol, because they should be able to open...otherwise just fine.
That's a great idea. I was wondering if the bathroom windows opened.
I absolutely love that design! it's so out of the box, just really refreshing to see. i also love that exposed framework, it adds so much drama to the whole house. brilliant
Her creative mind and organization of presentation AMAZES ME!!!!!!
WOW!! Very creative use of space❤️👏👏👏👏👏