Designs, Budgets and Deadlines! Oh my!!

I received Grand Designs on DVD as a present from my parents and have been sitting down to watch it every opportunity. Tired of the same old soapboxes during the week, brought me to the attention of this wonderful television program on the ABC.

From the back cover;

"Designer and writer Kevin McCloud returns with a fifth series of Grands Designs following Britain's most ambitious and astonishing house building or rebuilding projects. From an eco friendly log cabin to a floating glass pavilion, each project on this five disc set reveals the trials and tribulations of creating a unique Grand Design."

Grand Designs, is more than just a documentary on the story of families and couples in pursuit to see out their 'grand dreams'. At times, it is hard to ignore the over indulgent requirements of the client, but through great narrative and penetrating questions of Kevin McCloud, reinforces the ideal, that it is about quality of life and not egos overcompensating with extraneous spaces.

Repeatedly highlighted throughout the projects is one of necessity. The collaboration between architect, designer, project manager and client is crucial throughout the entire project from initial design to construction. Relationships are formed and torn, fluctuating with the success and disasters of the design. One in particular was that of the 'Modern Eco Farmhouse' in Carmarthen in Wales, where conflict and friction between parties emphasised the responsibility and trust that we as designers hold.