A new season of Grand Designs continues on Sunday night with host Kevin McCloud continuing to follow some of Britain’s most ambitious self-building projects, as intrepid individuals attempt to design and construct the home of their dreams.
Entrepreneur Paul Wilkinson is a workaholic with a compulsion to get things done in the shortest time possible. So when he and wife Amy set out to build a giant new home on their 16-acre plot in Lincolnshire, he gives himself only 12 months to do it.
The big problem is that this is no ordinary build – it’s five circular buildings made up of interlocking timber cylinders linked by raised wooden walkways that hang over a lake, all inspired by Celtic roundhouses. It’s a vast and complicated endeavour, but Paul intends to throw his entire being into making it happen.
From the start, Paul’s local team struggle with the tricky curves and angles of the cylinders and the ambitious schedule starts to slip. Desperate to get the timber superstructure watertight before autumn rains hit, extra manpower is thrown at the project.
The budget spirals and Paul works almost day and night to complete the building in a year by sheer force of will. But this relentless drive begins to take a toll on Paul’s health. Halfway through the build he’s admitted to hospital for an operation that could threaten the entire project.
Production details
Written and Presented by Kevin McCloud. Series Producer, John Lonsdale. Director: Karen Rona. Executive Producer, Cal Turner. A Boundless West production.
