Sculptor Bob Campbell and his partner Carol Ann have converted an old grain silo into a home in Derbyshire, having bought the structure for just £1 off eBay. The couple installed the silo in their garden and over the past five and a half years, they have transformed it into a livable space featuring a lounge, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. The cylindrical home, which measures four meters in height and diameter, has been fitted with reclaimed materials and features unique elements such as a fireplace made from an old gas bottle and a sofa crafted from the back seat of a VW Beetle.
Bob constructed the home on a concrete foundation and topped it with a built roof. For insulation, recycled plastic was used along with a vapor barrier around the ceiling. The kitchen includes modern amenities like an oven and an original 130-year-old sink donated by a neighbor. The upper level of the structure serves as the sleeping area, accessible by a ladder that can be stowed away to save space. The property’s bathroom includes a shower, a sink, and a composting toilet, with light coming through a porthole window made from a washing machine door.
The couple described their home as cozy and admitted that while it took some time to adjust, they now relish living amid their garden's natural surroundings. In total, Bob and Carol Ann spent approximately £4,000 on the conversion. They hinted at future plans to move back into their main house and possibly rent out the silo on AirBnB.