Dezeen · Creativity & design

Kevin McCloud on Evolving British Architecture

Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud observes a shift towards more relaxed and playful elements in British residential architecture after decades of earnestness.

McCloud notes a return to traditional motifs like arches, which he sees as a grounding yet soaring architectural device. He also highlights a playful integration of sustainability, history, and archaeology into modern buildings.

While some critics find this year's Stirling Prize shortlist uninspiringly uniform, McCloud takes a longer view, suggesting that buildings initially deemed boring can later be appreciated.

He is optimistic about a renewed focus on carbon, moving beyond the broad term 'sustainability' to incorporate biodiversity, land management, and carbon sequestration through planting.

McCloud also sees a growing community interest in preserving existing buildings, driven by concerns about carbon, heritage, and social issues, leading to a democratization of heritage appreciation.

Regarding housing, McCloud expresses cautious hope that changes to planning policy might improve quality, but stresses the need for the word 'quality' to be explicitly included in policy, rather than just focusing on numbers.

He advocates for essential elements like space, storage, and outdoor connections in housing, and believes architects should be trusted to prioritize their craft over profit-driven developer designs.

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