Grand Designs’ Kevin McCloud wants to endure like David Attenborough

As a seasoned television viewer and a keen observer of the industry, I find myself utterly captivated by the enigmatic figure that is Kevin McCloud. At 65, he stands as something of an anomaly, defying the conventional wisdom that suggests one should retire gracefully at this age. His ambition to emulate David Attenborough for another 25 years is nothing short of commendable.

This interview was originally published in TopMob magazine.

Moving houses is commonly recognized as one of the most stressful experiences for a person. On top of that, constructing a house from the ground up takes stress to an entirely different dimension.

Step into the realm of Grand Designs, a show that’s graced our television sets for an incredible 25 years! Perhaps the sole consolation for those involved in the projects – who seem surprisingly green-thumbed – is that the series is deeply associated with its charismatic host, Kevin McCloud.

After twenty-five years, he appears as if a wise guardian in the realm of buildings – steady yet just, a serene figure donning a hard hat, standing tall amidst the chaos of debris.

Despite countless short-lived home renovation shows, Grand Designs has remarkably maintained its presence in the prime-time TV landscape. It’s hard for Kevin McCloud to wrap his head around this longevity!

He notes with understated pride, “It’s quite remarkable how it’s managed to endure all these years.” At its beginning, the show was definitely an exception. In the 1990s, television culture predominantly favored half-hour makeover shows, which he found problematic due to their exploitative nature. These programs were designed in such a way that neither the participants nor the audience knew the outcome.

Perhaps due to its challenging nature and high risks involved, Grand Designs had a more tranquil demeanor throughout.

This wasn’t just about swapping out your bedroom headboard with a staple gun; it was about dealing with reinforced steel beams and brick structures. Instead of creating TV content for celebration that took advantage of contributors, we were showcasing the real world. People construct what they choose to build. We were highlighting well-constructed buildings, not ordinary ones, which went against the trend of those times.

Let me take you back to a vivid memory. The setting was a field by the cliffs over Peacehaven in East Sussex, with a young couple constructing their home nearby. It was our debut show, 27 years ago, and honestly, we were greenhorns, not entirely sure of what lay ahead. Funny enough, I visited the same location this year, and guess what? The very same couple are still residing in that same house.

McCloud acknowledges he’s grown since then. “Back then, I’d move my hands wildly. Directors would ask for more energy and I’d ramp it up significantly, being quite animated. I even jotted down everything I said beforehand. But I discovered that the most effective approach isn’t to follow a script, but just to speak freely and naturally.”

He thinks the secret is that Grand Designs doesn’t follow a prescribed format. “Its longevity results from proper storytelling and traditional film-making values. There isn’t a format and we don’t know the outcomes. We don’t invent pretend danger. If there’s a struggle, it’s just that. It’s not a ‘desperate uphill struggle’. And we don’t speak of ‘jeopardy’.”

At the onset of every promising endeavor, McCloud harbors a concern: the possibility that these ambitious ventures might stretch out beyond expected timelines, exceed budgets, or even more tragically, strain or end relationships.

“My biggest bugbear is things being too big,” he says. “Most houses could shrink overnight by a third, and the occupants would never notice. Number two? Houses with more toilets than physical occupants. Why do people judge the status of a house by how many toilets you can offer your guests? It’s absurd. Thirdly, complexity. Most people say to me that if they had known how complicated building is, they would have made their idea simpler. Complexity has become a demonstration of the need to be grand.”

McCloud clarifies that the term “grand” in the title does not signify a large budget, but rather it symbolizes the immense power of human imagination. He is consistently drawn towards smaller-scale projects.

The house he calls his own isn’t particularly extravagant; instead, think of it as deeply personal, brimming with stories and everyday items. He believes that homes should reflect their inhabitants’ lives and experiences, and beauty can be found in repurposed, affordable, or borrowed objects.

“Here’s how I’d put it: ‘Indeed, my kitchen bears the Ikea touch, but with a twist. Ikea provides my cabinets and drawers; the counters are by Cosentino, and the taps are quite luxurious. However, the table is an authentic 1960s Eero Saarinen Tulip design. This sums up my admiration for Ikea – affordable, eco-friendly designs that allow me to DIY.’ “

At age 65, McCloud stands out as an exception by hosting a prime-time TV show. He expresses his desire to continue for another 25 years, aiming to emulate the longevity of David Attenborough. However, he acknowledges that the realm of storytelling and communication has significantly evolved since he started in 1999.

Social media, due to its brief format, excels at capturing moments quickly. Platforms like Instagram or TikTok can easily pique someone’s interest with a concept. However, contrary to that, I don’t engage in such quick content creation. Instead, it takes me approximately 12 to 14 years to produce just one hour of television.

He remarks that fame comes with the territory of his profession. Once people no longer recognize him, he understands that his career will come to an end.

I recall having a conversation with renowned news anchor, Roger Cook. On one occasion, he shared an anecdote about strolling down a street somewhere when a passerby called out, “Hey! Aren’t you former Roger Cook?” In essence, this incident highlights that his existence is tied to the fact that someone has watched his TV program.

If you encounter Kevin McCloud wearing his boots, feel free to greet him in Italian since he once resided in Italy; however, refrain from asking him for a selfie.

He laments, “It’s the feeling of ownership some people have over your personal space they mistakenly believe is public property. They demand a selfie with you, treating you as if you are an object to be used. In that instant, you feel dehumanized. But interestingly, I’ve noticed young people asking for autographs nowadays. It seems the era of the ‘selfie generation’ is gradually receding.”

Perhaps one explanation for why he, as well as the show, have endured for so long is that, similar to figures like David Attenborough or Monty Don, McCloud doesn’t present a wide range of topics. Instead, he focuses on a single message and consistently stays committed to it.

He clarifies that his passion lies in design and the method through which people enhance life quality. As he grows older, his fascination with accessible design has intensified as his knees have started causing discomfort; designs that simplify life become increasingly valuable to him.

“In these challenging aspects of design, solutions often appear awkward, such as those implemented by the NHS. However, individuals tend to come up with more polished alternatives within their own homes.”

In the latest season of Grand Designs, an episode features a home tailored for a wheelchair-bound woman and her family. Reflecting on such a residence, where everyday life unfolds for someone in a wheelchair, is undeniably enlightening and captivating.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I can’t help but admire the vision of the initial Channel 4 commissioner who believed in this series and gave it the go-ahead. Their confidence that something recorded months, even years ago, could still captivate audiences was truly inspiring. For Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs isn’t just about the grand unveiling; it’s equally about individuals staking out an open field, navigating through all the challenges, and ultimately realizing their dreams.

Architecture embodies our human experience, reflecting our identity as individuals and as a collective species. It also showcases who we are at specific locations and periods in history.

Grand Designs airs on Channel 4.

2024-09-03 02:38

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