Building memories: Our journey to the perfect home

A Reflection on Designing and Living in a Bespoke Baufritz House 

We visited one of Baufritz’s first UK clients in Fakenham, Norfolk, to ask the Vogel family about their experience living in a Baufritz home for over 15 years. 

The process of creating our home commenced on a Tuesday morning, when we prepared to submit our final planning application. I contacted Baufritz in Cambridge to inquire whether our architect’s hand-drawn exterior drawings could be converted to digital format in time for submission. Their assurance marked the true beginning of our bespoke home-building experience.

A collaborative building process

Our involvement in the project was comprehensive. We participated in every decision, from material sampling to design choices, and resided near the construction site to closely monitor progress. The meticulous scheduling, aided by a Gantt chart, ensured each trade arrived precisely as planned. This level of organisation and reliability was exemplary; tradespeople arrived on time and completed their work as scheduled. 

A profound sense of accomplishment was experienced not upon the completion of the build, but rather when the final contract was signed in Germany. In a thoughtful gesture, we were presented with a symbolic key to our future home and celebrated our commitment with a bottle of champagne. This event was the true beginning of our journey in the house. 

Thoughtful improvements and daily comfort 

Over the years, we made thoughtful improvements, such as replacing an opaque glass pane in the sliding doors with clear glass to enhance natural light and sightlines. The house’s influence on our daily routines has been significant. Its energy efficiency ensures that heating the entire property is no more costly than heating a single room, and the absence of draughts greatly enhances comfort. We have curated restful spaces throughout the house, including a bedroom sitting area with glass walls, ideal for evening relaxation. 

Traditions have naturally emerged, particularly during the Christmas season. Our home has affectionately become known as “the Christmas tree house,” owing to the annual installation of a two-storey-high tree. Moreover, the home was thoughtfully designed for future needs; the installation of a lift was seamless, facilitated by comprehensive digital records indicating the precise locations of structural supports. 

Home for all seasons of life 

Now enjoying retirement, we have found the house to be both intimate for two and accommodating for gatherings of up to thirty guests. Our bespoke residence has become more than a place of shelter; it is the foundation for cherished memories, celebrations, and the continuous rhythms of daily life a true manifestation of our aspirations and experiences. 

After over 15 years we have not needed to carry out any major maintenance compared to the Georgian home we moved from. 

We spent the money well on a home that requires very little maintenance but gives endless pleasure.