ARCHITECT Jamie Falla’s dream family home is to get further national exposure. A photographer from Elle Decoration, a sister publication of women’s leading fashion magazine Elle, has been to his award-winning Vale house, La Concha, for a special shoot.

After scooping top honours in the Guernsey 2003 design awards, Mr Falla sent a few shots of his 21st-century home, a conversion and extension of a 15th-century barn, to the publication’s editorial office.

The outbuilding of the former Bird Farm at Ville Baudu was disused but it has been transformed into a modern domestic wonder.

‘It’s a magazine I always like and I thought people would be interested in seeing the house,’ he said.

Elle Decoration decided to send photographer Chris Tubbs to the island for a two-day shoot for a nine-page feature in the July edition, which comes out in June.

It meant the Falla family had to finish all the little jobs at their home prior to his visit – this included getting the garden up to scratch and installing a ladder to the guest room.

‘It’s fantastic. I feel very honoured to be going into Elle Decoration – it’s a great inspiration for us as architects [at MOOArc] and, I’m sure, for our clients,’ said Mr Falla.

‘I think it will give confidence to clients and it shows respect for what you are doing. Long-term, it’s wonderful to have something in a magazine you can show to future clients and friends.

‘It’s really great to have a top photographer come over to show the house off. We have worked very hard for two-and-a-half years to design and build it and it’s great that somebody is actually recording that.’

He was confident it would bring Guernsey good publicity – especially as it was shot in wonderful weather.

Mr Tubbs, 30, who has worked for Elle Decoration for seven years, is originally from France but now lives in London. He was delighted to take come on the visit after seeing some pictures of the house.

‘I think it’s fantastic – little snaps don’t always do things justice. We don’t just show what it looks like but what it’s like to live in and we create atmosphere as well as function,’ he said.

‘It feels very open, light and airy and compatible with a seaside feel.’

La Concha will give its readers an overview of the possibilities when using glass.

‘It’s got the stamp of Jamie’s personality on it. Each architect has their own style and there is a particular way he has thought about suiting his own needs and those of his family,’ said Mr Tubbs.

‘People in London are looking for places to go to escape the smoke. It’s always an inspiration to see people who are living in a more idyllic lifestyle than they are,’ he said.

‘We show everything in a positive light as much as possible. Today is such a beautiful day it won’t do any harm to the pictures.’

Following a recent article in The Observer, which featured his glass building, Mr Falla has received three phone calls from Ireland, Wales and London from people interested in glass structures in their houses.

‘We are getting some fantastic opportunities to promote good contemporary design and [Guernsey Press publication] House and Home has helped locally,’ said Mr Falla.

‘Anything that promotes great design is good for me.’