A couple on Grand Designs were transforming a London property into a “Cloud House”.
The couple on Grand Designs had big dreams for their London home (Image: Channel 4)
A clash on Grand Designs led to a builder being sacked from the project before completion.
Kevin McCloud’s architectural series has returned for a new season, with tonight’s episode (Wednesday, 23 September) set in London. Eccentric couple Emily and Peter had designed a truly one-of-a-kind house, a “cloud house” that had been split into two, with one half sold to another couple.
They told Kevin: “We’ve called it The Cloud House because it’s a beautiful, cloudy shaped building with lots of arches, and pink.” With bright pink walls, a scalloped rooftop garden, and turquoise windows, the building design screamed fun and happiness, however, that didn’t quite match the tension between architect Peter and his builder Bart.
After Peter found issues with minor measurements, and wanted things to be precise and exact, he clashed with Bart over measurements, insisting there was a difference of millimetres from his original plans.
Despite the house coming together, Peter made the difficult decision to dismiss Bart. Bart told the cameras: “We’ve just been asked by the client to leave the site, he wants us to terminate the contract. It’s very disappointing, we really truly did nothing wrong.
“If we screw something up, we fix it, that’s what we do. So now I’m facing losing my men.” Peter meanwhile said: “It really wasn’t working out. It was making the job a horrible job, it was very stressful, I like Bart and I think he’s a good builder but I just don’t think he’s the right builder for our project.”
The change in builders was only one of several issues Peter and Emily faced throughout the build. At one point, Peter admitted it had been a “tough” process, adding: “I would think long and hard about doing this again.”
Their biggest challenge came down to finances, especially as the couple had been working as freelancers, and Emily hadn’t found work in several months. However, after her parents downsized, they lent the pair money to finish working on the build.
The final result left Emily saying: “I just think it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” She added: “We’ve had people walking by and saying, ‘This is amazing’.”
Peter meanwhile broke down in tears as he spoke about how much the build meant to him. “It’s been an emotional ride, but to hear about how much Emily loves it, that brings me so much joy. It’s totally been worth it,” he tearfully said.
“It’s so enticing and unusual,” Kevin said, as he walked through the vibrant house. “You could look at this, the funky sitting area, Peter’s exuberant study, and think, all this is nuts! But it references musicals and Miami art-deco.”
Ahead of the episode airing, viewers had also shared their excitement for the build. One wrote: “Will look forward to this. I think Peter is one of the few architects out there leading design with joy and colour. The type of house I’d want to visit!”
Another said: “Wow really looking forward to this , we need more funky in the world.” A third echoed: “Now this is going to be good.” “So excited to see this!” yet another echoed.
Grand Designs is available to watch on Channel 4.