Kevin McCloud reveals update on Grand Designs house with ‘most heartbreaking story’ 2 years later
The home will be featured on an episode of the upcoming season.
Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud has revealed a home left unfinished after the owners ran out of money has now been completed.
In 2023 an episode of the long-running Channel 4 series followed Graeme and Melanie’s efforts to build a new home in Hackney to celebrate their blended family.
The couple had faced tragic circumstances after both of their teenage daughters had lost a parent within weeks of each other, and they were determined to make a home to allow them all a fresh start.
Their idea was to turn two small garage plots in Hackney into their forever three-bedroom, three-storey home for themselves and daughters Isla and Indi.
Architect Graeme and graphic designer Mel had a maximum budget of £450,000, but like many others who have appeared on the show over the years, the budget quickly blew out.
After running out of money, the episode ended with the couple concerned the home might never be finished.
Graeme and Melanie featured on a 2023 episode that followed the building of their Hackney home (Picture: Channel 4/ Grand Designs)‘It’s a question mark as to how we find the finance – we don’t have the answer,’ he said on the show.
‘The worst case for us not being able to afford to fund the remedial [work] is then being forced to sell it. We’ve spent £550,000.
‘In terms of borrowing [we’ve] had to ask family and friends for contributions as well but it’s so close [to being finished] now.’
Speaking about the tragedies they’d experienced ahead of the build, Mel explained: ‘Both girls have lost a parent so we are creating a brand new family from two families. It’s an ongoing process that Graeme and I are going through – and the girls.
‘We try to address the past of course – you can’t just bury it and not address it, like all the different traditions in each family, we’re trying to keep them alive.’
At the time Kevin also explained to viewers: ‘”No pain no gain”,’ is the motto of this project and then if you’re thinking they’ve had a difficult time building it, it is nothing compared to the pain this entire household has suffered on the way getting here, through bereavement and loss, somewhat puts the difficulties of building a house in proportion.’
‘And if you’re wondering whether or not this building delivers on its objectives set for it, whether or not it’s helping this family thrive and flourish, whether it can make them happier, then let me tell you – yes it can. It’s already started.’
However, the couple had been concerned they might have to sell the house.
It was eventually left incomplete after they ran out of money (Picture: Channel 4)‘After everything this family has been through in the two-and-a-half years I’ve known them, selling this would be a bitter pill indeed,’ Kevin said.
Now, two years on, Kevin has returned to revisit the home, which will be the focus of an episode on the upcoming 26th season of Grand Designs.
Speaking about the project, he told OK!: ‘It was always going to be terrifying for them but returning to see the completed building is always a wonderful bonus and a huge privilege.
‘It’s the embodiment of a journey.’
Kevin said it would be a ‘bitter pill’ if they had to sell up (Picture: Fremantle/ Channel 4/ PA Wire)Speaking about the troubles the pair overcame, he added: ‘There’s always a chance that they may run out of money. People are always worried about money.’
Ahead of the new episodes Kevin said it was ‘wonderful’ the show was still on air after launching in 1999.
‘It’s wonderful still to be making programmes about architecture. The wonder is sort of built into the series. It’s built into the experience of buildings, and it’s such a great privilege to be able to carry on telling the stories of buildings it really is,’ he said.
‘I kind of pinch myself really, because it’s been so many years, it’s nearly 28 years since we started filming. So, it’s been my life. Like it or not, and I have loved it, and I still love it.’
Grand Designs returns tomorrow at 9pm on Channel 4.
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