Kevin McCloud is gearing up to revisit an unfinished project in the upcoming season of Grand Designs, following years of turmoil. The 65 year old presenter is back at the helm of the Channel 4 show for its 26th series, where he’ll be touring some of the UK’s most daring and unique home builds. But this series also offers Kevin McCloud the opportunity to catch up with Graeme and Melanie. Back in late 2023, the couple appeared on Grand Designs with dreams of building a brand new pink house for their combined family, after each losing their respective partners. Mel and Graeme purchased a small plot in Hackney, intending to construct bedrooms for their daughters, Isla and Indi, in the basement and their living areas on the upper floor. However, despite a promising start, the duo soon realised they had bitten off more than they could chew and ran out of money, leaving their new home incomplete. A lot has changed since their initial appearance on the show – Mel and Graeme are set to provide an eagerly awaited update on their new abode. “They’ve finished it now,” reveals Kevin. “It was always going to be terrifying for them but returning to see the completed building is always a wonderful bonus and a huge privilege. It’s the embodiment of a journey.”
Kevin McCloud is revisiting an unfinished project in the latest series of Grand Designs
(Image: Channel 4 / Malgosia Czarniecka Lonsdale.)
Reflecting on the factors that could leave a project hanging in the balance, Kevin adds, “There’s always a chance that they may run out of money. People are always worried about money.” Mel and Graeme’s pink house saga wasn’t the only Grand Designs episode to end on a sombre note. The lighthouse-inspired Chesil Cliff House also left viewers heartbroken, earning the title of the show’s “saddest” project ever after it was featured twice, resulting in Edward Short’s financial woes and the collapse of his marriage. Despite some projects not reaching the finish line, presenter Kevin McCloud is still amazed by the longevity of Grand Designs. “Longevity is a rare thing in telly,” he marvels, “I still have a job. It’s amazing after all this time.” The latest series promises more architectural wonders, with another season set to air later this year. Homeowners are once again taking huge risks with their time, money, and mental well-being to bring their extraordinary visions to life. One of the most eye-catching builds of the series is Sarah’s floating home, an avant-garde creation that seeks to reunite its inhabitants with the natural world. Kevin can’t help but be impressed by the innovative design: “It’s like a spaceship, it’s a building that responds to the universe” he enthuses. “The wind blows at the side of it and pushes it around, the tide lifts it out of the mud and back down again twice a day – they’re driven by the sun and the moon.” Yet, even with years of experience in showcasing audacious designs, Kevin admits he had his doubts. “We kept taking Sarah’s word for it because we didn’t think the houseboat would be enough,” he confesses. “But there are always buildings which surprise us because they’re built differently.” Another touching tale unfolds as an 82 year old widow sets out on a heartfelt quest to construct a new home in homage to her dearly departed architect husband. After many years in a quaint 1930s semi-detached house in North London, she enlists the assistance of the vibrant architect James for the project. “She’s clung on to the semi but it’s entirely different,” hints Kevin, “It’s really about exploring what a building can do for her in old age. I love that you see everything through her eyes.”
