Kevin McCloud, presenter of Channel 4's Grand Designs since 1999, has identified what he considers one of the worst mistakes homeowners can make: sacrificing outdoor space.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, the British designer explained that overdeveloping a property can cause owners to lose the connection between their building and its surroundings, regardless of how small the setting is.
Losing the Relationship Between Building and Aesthetic
Kevin said: "I think in a way, one of the worst things we can all do is to sacrifice outdoor space." He added: "So you could theoretically build the front of your house right up to the pavement and the back of your house to cover the back garden."
He continued: "You could overdevelop, build extensions, keep going, add more bedrooms, but in doing so, you sort of lose the relationship between the building and aesthetic. It doesn't matter how small the setting is; every building has some kind of context."
Kevin noted that losing this relationship, whether the setting is industrial, built-up suburban, a flat with only a balcony, or a semi-detached house, removes a key part of the architecture: the front garden and the back garden.
Concern Over Space Given to Cars
Kevin also expressed disappointment when driving through urban areas, observing the considerable space given to cars. He said it had reached a stage where individuals park their vehicles in front of their sitting rooms, jesting that perhaps this allows them to admire their own car.
He disclosed his appreciation for watching the sun's movement across a room and said he does not want it blocked out by a 4x4, preferring to observe trees, plants, and "something dancing" beyond the window.
The Value of Light and Movement
Kevin described one of his "favourite experiences in the world": using a net curtain to see the effects of a breeze on a tree with sunlight falling on the curtain and floor, creating dancing patterns, or seeing sunlight reflected off a pond onto a ceiling.
He called these "magical experiences" and placed them at the core of architecture, emphasising that light, pattern, and movement in time are elements you cannot purchase in a tin, on a shop floor, or online. He said: "It's something which is precious, and is, you know, if you see it happen in a building, you want to just figure out why because you want to hold on to that, and so it's free in a way. It can be free, not cost you anything."
