“Grand Designs” is a British TV programme which has been running continuously since 1999 and has been exported to several other countries, most notably Australia. Architect Kevin McCloud follows the progress of self-builders as they inevitably go way over budget, and sometimes go bankrupt and end up divorced. I have watched many programs – and even bought one of his many books, albeit from a charity shop.
The dream homes, when finally completed – often years behind schedule and always well over budget – are very impressive but what really “gets” me is how these earnest self-builders convince themselves – and McCloud – that they are building “sustainably” and thus presumably helping to “save the planet”. This is self-delusion because multiple external walls, acres of floor-to-ceiling triple-glazed glass, and a big roof, epitomises extravagant energy consumption. Even more so when built out in the countryside and therefore dependent on motorised transport. I am not saying that nobody should build their dream house, but please don’t give us the BS that they can be eco-friendly.
Its utter BS and self-righteous self-delusion — no HOUSE is e/v friendly because houses (as opposed to apartments) are usually bigger than what is necessary, and – since they have 4 walls and a roof – require a lot of heating (or cooling) and so – unless insulated to expensive “Passiv-Haus” standards – always leak heat.
Most of these alleged eco-friendly houses are out in the countryside but, even when not, the owners will almost certainly have at least two cars in their triple garages.
Although some of the inner-city designs are quite compact, most “Grand Designs” are extremely spacious so that if everyone could afford to build in this manner, housing density would be extremely low – probably less than 1000 people per km2.
