Film editor Ollie Stothert and his wife’s biggest production yet saw them write a new script to transform a site in Buckinghamshire

“And…Action!” – these words have defined my career as a film editor. Little did we anticipate that these words would seamlessly thread through the tapestry of a new chapter in our lives, a chapter transitioning us from the world of cinema to the realm of self-building. I’m Olly Stothert, and together with my wife Veronika, an advertising producer with her own distinct set of skills, and our newborn daughter Arabella, we embarked on a journey that interwove our film backgrounds with the art
of architecture. 

In 2018, our passion for narrative led us to a different kind of plot – the hunt for the perfect piece of land to bring our dream home to life. By 2020, we stumbled upon an ageing bungalow nestled in the picturesque village of Shabbington, just beyond the bustling market town of Thame, on the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire border. The bungalow, although time-worn, possessed the potential to be our canvas for a new beginning. 

Instead of a mere renovation, we were driven by a desire to create anew. The decision was made to dismantle the old and construct the new, a daunting prospect for two individuals without any prior building experience. But Veronika and I found ourselves drawing inspiration from our roles in film production. As a film editor, my job revolves around assembling the pieces – the scenes, the shots, the emotions – into a seamless whole. Veronika, with her expertise in advertising production, knows the intricacies of coordinating various departments to bring a creative vision
to life. And so, armed with the can-do producer spirit, we set out on our biggest production yet – the creation of our home. Our tight budget, the script
and our chosen architect would be
our director. 

Despite the challenges, we tackled each phase with the same dedication we applied to our cinematic endeavours. We valued sustainability, practicality, and future-proofing just as much as we did aesthetics. With these principles in mind, we crafted a pitch that encapsulated our vision. After meticulous research, we narrowed down our search to three architects who shared our values. The final choice was clear – Elliott Architects, a RIBA certified and award winning talent from Hexham, Northumbria, whose creativity and passion resonated with us deeply (elliottarchitects.co.uk).

Their design drew inspiration from the ‘Skippings Barn’ showcased at the Chilterns Open Air Museum – a historic local threshing barn that’s a testament to dark timber atop a brick foundation, boasting an elegantly proportioned roof pitch. This design not only influenced our home but also christened it with the name ‘Skippings’ (by the way, the museum is an oasis of agricultural architecture inspiration!).

The house will be constructed using an offsite timber frame, with brick and timber cladding that echoes the style of Skippings barn, but with a modern feel. We opted to segment the project into subcontractor divisions, shouldering the management ourselves after receiving a costly contractor bid. At this juncture, we introduced a key ally – our part-time project manager, Tom Handford from Develeco (develeco.co.uk). Despite incurring additional expenses, his expertise in construction techniques
and understanding of trades offered a much-needed hand, easing what could be an overwhelming process and ultimately saving us time and money in the long run. 

At the forefront of our Skippings self-building venture was a critical phase that often doesn’t receive the spotlight it deserves – the upfront design and planning. This pivotal stage laid the foundation for our entire project, setting the tone for what was to come. However, the substantial upfront funding required to initiate such an endeavour is not often widely discussed.

From ecology and reports, to topographical and soil surveys, solicitor expenses, structural engineers, SAP calculation, site insurance and warranties, mechanical designs from the installation of utilities, to engaging an architect that developed our vision and guided us through the intricate process, the expenses added up. While this array of services might seem daunting, they are very necessary, and can add a significant amount to any tight budget before you even dig a hole.

We quickly understood that these early investments although quite financially crippling, were invaluable in shaping the trajectory of our dream home. The architect’s fee, in particular, was a wise allocation; although a big investment it paid off many times over as Elliott Architects’ expertise ensured a seamless journey from the blueprint to the build. This meticulous process, encompassing a range of tasks, took the best part of a year, emphasising the importance of patience and thoroughness in bringing our vision to life.

Navigating the intricate labyrinth of self-building has thrust us into unexpected trials, which showed us the importance of foresight and preparation. As we stand, our journey has encountered an unforeseen plot twist. Securing a self-build mortgage, despite our meticulous planning and groundwork, has evolved into an unexpectedly stressful endeavour. My status as a self-employed individual, often a thorn in the side when it comes to banks’ perspectives on lending, has introduced complexities, elongating our journey to over a year. This unanticipated obstacle stands as a stark reminder that certain facets of the self-build process demand a timeline longer than initially envisioned. Hence, our counsel to fellow self-build enthusiasts is to begin this process well in advance, recognising that the intricate nature of certain financial aspects means they need ample time.

As we await the fruition of our financial options, we continue to amass our final crew, including our timber frame from the esteemed PYC Construction (pycgroup.co.uk), all poised for that inaugural first day we turn over and call “Action.”Our cinematic perspective informed our decisions, how our collaboration with a visionary architect elevated our aspirations, and how our commitment to sustainability and design excellence shaped our dream home. From the cutting room floor to soon the construction site, our story is hopefully a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and the belief that with the right script, any vision can be brought to life. Follow us on Instagram at
@skippings_house_build.