Grand Designs
A Channel 4 Original
Grand Designs follows ordinary people who decide to build extraordinary homes, and it chronicles the highs and lows that come with that decision. Each episode centers on a single project, tracking progress from first plans and foundations through construction milestones and finishings, often over... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026
About Grand Designs
Grand Designs follows ordinary people who decide to build extraordinary homes, and it chronicles the highs and lows that come with that decision. Each episode centers on a single project, tracking progress from first plans and foundations through construction milestones and finishings, often over months or years. Kevin McCloud hosts and interviews the owners, designers, and builders, giving viewers a clear sense of the practical problems, budget pressures, planning hurdles, and personal stakes behind each build. The show keeps a straightforward documentary tone, letting the architecture and the human stories take center stage without revealing any surprise endings in advance.
First broadcast in 1999 in the UK, the series is presented by Kevin McCloud and uses a long-form documentary approach, following projects across multiple episodes and seasons. Its format focuses on real-time development rather than staged segments.
The series hasn't been a major awards player on the international stage, though it has been acknowledged in industry circles and helped cement Kevin McCloud's reputation as a prominent presenter of architectural programming. Its longevity and repeated commissions speak to steady recognition within broadcast commissioning.
Grand Designs has had a noticeable effect on public interest in bespoke architecture and self-build culture, encouraging homeowners to consider unconventional design and sustainable techniques. Its approach to showing process and setbacks has influenced other home-improvement and architecture shows, and architects and amateur builders often cite it as an inspiration for taking more adventurous design risks.
Critics and audiences tend to praise the show for its honest look at the realities of building, and the series holds a solid viewer rating around 7.1/10 from a sample of votes. Recurring themes include ambition versus budget, the tension between aesthetics and function, environmental considerations, and the resilience required to see a complex build through. While some viewers note the series can linger on setbacks, many appreciate the detailed insight into how creative, challenging homes actually get made.
Details
- Release Date
- April 29, 1999
- Episode Length
- 47m
- Rating
- TV-PG
- User Ratings
- 54 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 27
- Episodes
- 252
- Network
- Channel 4
- Status
- Returning Series
- Genres
- Documentary
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Studio
- Talkback
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Kevin McCloud
Host
Seasons (27 seasons, 252 episodes)
Season 1
8 episodes - 1999
Season 2
17 episodes - 2001
Season 3
16 episodes - 2003
Season 4
8 episodes - 2004
Season 5
11 episodes - 2005
Season 6
8 episodes - 2006
Season 7
12 episodes - 2007
Season 8
12 episodes - 2008
Season 9
13 episodes - 2009
Season 10
14 episodes - 2010
Season 11
12 episodes - 2011
Season 12
12 episodes - 2012
Season 13
11 episodes - 2013
Season 14
10 episodes - 2014
Season 15
4 episodes - 2015
Season 16
9 episodes - 2015
Season 17
9 episodes - 2016
Season 18
9 episodes - 2017
Season 19
7 episodes - 2018
Season 20
7 episodes - 2019
Season 21
6 episodes - 2021
Season 22
7 episodes - 2021
Season 23
11 episodes - 2022
Season 24
8 episodes - 2023
Season 25
6 episodes - 2024
Season 26
5 episodes - 2025
Season 27
7 episodes - 2025
