MADE BY HAND

Much to my envy, there are people out there – perhaps you’re one of them – who can knock up a coffee table, desk or even a shed at a moment’s notice. But for even the most DIY-savvy, building an extension by yourself is a step too far – unless you’re Richard and Kristina. The couple bought their Victorian terrace, then a five-bedroom house of multiple occupancy (HMO), with a view to extend and modernise throughout. Taking on the build work by themselves was just another layer to add to the challenge.

Of course, it helps that Richard’s an architect. After drawing up plans for the build, he decided to see the process through himself to further his understanding of what makes a project work – knowledge he says can take an architectural practice from good