Anyone who’s ever dreamed of building their own home has probably watched an episode of Grand Designs. In fact, quite a few people have – the programme has been on our screens since 1999, during which time Kevin McCloud has cemented his reputation as a great deliverer of thoughtful monologues on the wonders of modernism (and a master of the raised eyebrow in the face of bloated budgets and foolhardy fixes). But what of his own house? In this week’s episode of the podcast, recorded at St Anne’s Court in Soho, London, Matt Gibberd turns the proverbial lens on Kevin, asking how the homes he’s lived in have shaped him, and where he sees himself in the future.
“Kevin has been a fixture on our tellies for so many years that we feel like we know him. But, actually, I didn’t have a clue about his life story, so this conversation was really interesting for me.
“He tells me about growing up in what he refers to as an ‘architectural zoo’ of housing from different eras. We talk about his involvement with Footlights, the famous comedy troupe at Cambridge University, where he collaborated with Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson. And he explains why he’s spent years living in a camper van and why his future home will definitely have a view of the mountains.
“Kevin is one of the most engaging and fiercely intelligent guests I’ve spoken to on Homing In and he’s full of amusing anecdotes and top tips. I hope you enjoy the episode!”
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