The search for the most exceptional home in Britain intensifies as Grand Designs: House of the Year returns to Channel 4. In the latest episode, presenter Kevin McCloud, alongside architect Damion Burrows and design expert Natasha Huq, visited five remarkable properties across the UK, each vying for a coveted spot on the competition's shortlist.
Judges from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have handpicked these unique builds, all of which push the boundaries of conventional design. The selection criteria focus on miraculous transformations, exceptional craftsmanship, and the overall atmosphere of each home. Tonight's episode specifically highlights properties built against formidable odds, from brutal weather and complex engineering to creative differences.
Against the Elements: The Outer Hebrides Retreat
On the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, the grass-roofed Caochan na Creige stands as a testament to resilience. Architect Aly and her partner Jack built the property entirely by hand for just £167,000, all while living on-site without basic amenities.
Their journey was marred by nine savage storms, one of which ripped the roof off with 100mph gusts. They also battled swarms of midges that halted construction. Using incredibly dense local stone, they crafted a compact, efficient home centred on an open-plan kitchen and living area, with an ingenious 135-degree angle that makes the interior feel more spacious.
"We were actually nervous our car was going to blow away. It was quite a welcome to the island," Jack recalled. The judges praised the home's character and its ability to withstand severe conditions.
Victorian Transformation in Hastings
In Hastings, a town known for its challenging, steep slopes, a twin-gabled Victorian house was completely reimagined by owner Simon, a former oil trader. The project involved painstaking engineering to extend the property onto a back garden slope, creating a multi-storey design that follows the natural terrain.
Architect Hugh Strange chose to repair and enhance the existing structure rather than demolish it. The result is a series of beautiful pavilions that step up the hill, featuring a semi-open-plan space filled with light, a cosy garden room, and an office crowned by a pergola. The judges were impressed by the treatment of the landscape and the unexpected surprise of the interior.
Cornwall's Two-Family Seaside Home
What began as a simple brief for a family seaside retreat in Cornwall evolved into an ambitious two-family home. Designer Mike Rundell faced the challenge of reconciling the disparate views of two couples.
"Every decision was something of a debate," Mike said. "One house, two husbands, two wives, four disparate points of view." This even extended to the finish of the stone walls, which had to be altered to a rougher edge to satisfy one client. The completed house features shared downstairs spaces, including a pool and kitchen, with six bedrooms split into two private wings upstairs.
Purpose-Built Accessibility in Clayworth
In Clayworth, a stunning T-shaped home was built with a profound purpose. After Helen suffered a stroke that left her with severe disabilities, she and her husband John could no longer live together in their 17th-century farmhouse.
Their new, accessible home, designed by James Arkle, features a spacious, open-plan layout with wide doorways perfect for Helen's wheelchair. "This building has been transformational for our lives," John said. The construction was not without its challenges, including the complex installation of 19 large wooden beams, each weighing 1.7 tonnes, to form the roof.
London's 'Ship in a Bottle' Bungalow
Tucked away in north London, the Harringey Brick Bungalow is a masterpiece of compact design. Designer Satish Jassal transformed an abandoned plot at the end of a one-metre-wide passage.
"It was like building a ship in a bottle," Satish explained, noting all materials had to be transported through the narrow alley. Inside, a coffered ceiling arranged in a pyramid creates a sense of volume, making the small property feel grand and expansive. Kevin McCloud remarked it was "like looking up into a honeycomb."
The First Two Shortlisted Properties
At the episode's conclusion, RIBA chair David Kohn announced the first two properties to make the shortlist. The first was Caochan na Creige in the Outer Hebrides, praised for its exceptional craftsmanship and connection to the island.
The second was the Hastings house, celebrated for its exciting treatment of the landscape and technically challenging execution. The competition continues next week with five more properties before the overall winner is announced.
Grand Designs airs tonight on Channel 4 at 9pm.
