A collection of the most iconic, stand-out builds from this perennially popular, long-running TV series, as chosen by Kevin McCloud.
Grand Designs is famous for showcasing spectacular self-build projects and in the process has itself had a major impact on domestic architecture and design. As the programme celebrates its 25th anniversary, Kevin chooses for this book his selection of the most impressive and memorable houses. From houses crafted from shipping containers to eco-builds and luxe constructions, it demonstrates the extraordinary power of design and of the imagination to create stunning living spaces. With the benefit in many cases of some years since the projects were completed, the book offers a unique opportunity for viewers and readers to see how the properties have fared over that time and how their longer-term vision has been realised.
Accompanied by stunning images, Kevins personal text highlights their key features, why the designs work, and what readers can take home for their projects, whatever scale they are working on. Along the way, he provides a fascinating view of how the design of our homes has changed to reflect contemporary lifestyles, and the important legacy of this award-winning programme.
Foreword by John Lonsdale
Foreword by Daisy Goodwin
1999
Water Tower Conversion Amersham
Straw Bale House Islington
Hedgehog Co-op Brighton
2001
Cruciform Lambourn
Barn Conversion South Devon
2003
Rustic Sussex
Waterworks Chesterfield
2004
Beach House Hastings
Norwegian Longhouse Glasgow
2005
Stealth House Peckham
White House on a Hill Belfast
2006
Cedar-clad Box Stirling
Water Tower Ashford
2007
Two Timber Houses London
Straw Bale Roundhouse Cambridgeshire
2008
Lime Kiln House Midlothian
Sugar Cube Bristol
2009
Vaulted Arch House Weald of Kent
Apprentice Store Somerset
2010
Recycled Bungalow Isle of Wight
Passive House Cotswolds
2011
Artists Barn Braintree
House in the Hills Herefordshire
2012
Glass House Brixton
Artists Muse Skye
2013
Flint Farm Newbury
Hangar House Strathaven
2014
Container House County Derry
Engineered Timber House North Cornwall
2015
Riverside Shed South Downs
Stilt House East Sussex
2016
Tree House Gloucestershire
Shadow Barn Horsham
2017
Extruded Barn County Down
Earth-sheltered House Peak District
2018
Concrete House Lewes
Expedient House Leominster
2019
Watershed Hull
Lighthouse North Devon
2021
Pond House Chichester
Self-heating House Bletchley
Triangle House Billingshurst
Gardeners Bothy Kinross
2022
Spacesaver Sydenham Hill
Scandi Villa South Manchester
2023
House in the Woods South Herefordshire
Passive House Premium North Cotswolds
Honourable Mentions
2003: Threshing Barn Surrey
2004: German Kit House Esher
2005: Modernisation of Elizabethan Farmhouse Gloucester
2006: Farmhouse Chalet Renovation Les Gets, France
2007: Gentrified Fourteenth-century Peel Tower Yorkshire
2008: Contemporary Family House Bath
2009: Twenty-first-century Farmhouse Marlborough
2010: Modest Contemporary Home Woodbridge
2011: Hole in theWall Kensington
2012: Camden Workshop Camden
2013: Cob House East Devon
2014: Cliff Top House North Wales
2015: Cow Shed South Somerset
2016: Woodland House Essex
2017: Box House East London
2018: Twins Houses Sheffield
2019: Round House Lincolnshire
2021: Cemetery Lodge South West London
2021: Barn Conversion Sevenoaks
2022: Modular House Tunbridge Wells
2023: Tree House Scunthorpe
Afterword by Ned Williams
Episode List
Acknowledgements
Index
Picture Credits
Kevin McCloud is best known for the internationally acclaimed, Bafta award-winning series Grand Designs which has been running on Channel 4 for 25 years. It is now shown around the world along with spin-off series including Grand Designs: The Street and Grand Designs: House of the Year. Grand Designs has grown to encompass Grand Designs Magazine and live consumer event Grand Designs Live.
Kevin recently joined forces with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Mary Portas to challenge the governments commitment to climate change policies for Channel 4s The Great Climate Fight. Kevins other TV work includes two series of Man-Made Home, Kevins Supersized Salvage and Kevin McClouds Escape To The Wild, as well as his four part Grand Tour of Europe.
Kevin has written several books on design and champions sustainable development, context, the historic environment, and ecological construction. He studied History of Art and Architecture at Cambridge, is an Honorary Fellow of both the RIBA and the Society of Light and Lighting, a fellow of WWF and a recalcitrant patron of a handful of organisations. His two ambitions remain to entertain and to make the built environment better and consequently make people feel better.
He was awarded an MBE in 2014 for his services to architecture.
