As the man behind Channel 4’s Grand Designs, Kevin McCloud is an authority on the world of architecture and homebuilding. What really excites him, however, is the promise of sustainability in future housing projects, and a return in every facet of human nature to appreciating the inherent value of the made object
Over 15 years ago, designer Kevin McCloud presented the first episode of Grand Designs, a show dedicated to following people undertaking elaborate and interesting home-building projects. He has gone on the programme to front 15 seasons of Grand Designs — making it one of Channel 4’s longest running shows — and the mild-mannered man from Bedfordshire has become the most recognisable expert on British TV regarding all things architectural.
What sets McCloud apart, however, in an architectural industry filled with modern, metallic masterpieces, is his dedication to advocating the impact design can have on the creation of sustainable housing across Britain, and then hopefully the Earth as a whole.
“The relationship between making things and sustainability is so essential,” explains the 56-year-old. “As a society, we’ve lost touch in the west with the value of made things, the value of raw materials and the energy required. I don’t just mean fossil fuel energy but also the human energy that goes into making things.
“We’ve got small makers and jewellers where you get the opportunity to visit their workshops, commission the piece and buy the jewellery — and that even applies to someone like Aga. Aga, for example, makes all of its stoves in the UK, in a foundry. It’s very exciting to see places of manufacture and making because to seethe value of what comes out.”
It’s the inherent value of the handmade object that ignites McCloud’s passion for sustainability, and the creation of beautiful things from the simplest of raw materials.
This story is from the July - August 2016 edition of Perspective.
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This story is from the July - August 2016 edition of Perspective.
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