"Grand Designs" is a property programme that finds Kevin McCloud following the progress of various self-build projects. Far from being ordinary builds, the projects are usually based on ambitious bespoke designs commissioned by individuals with plenty of money to spend. A number of spin-off programmes have aired, including "Grand Designs Abroad" and "Grand Designs Indoors". The main show premiered on Channel 4 in 1999.
This week’s project is very much a family affair. When widowed teacher Gretta returned to the UK after living in Malaysia, her sister Mary and brother-in-law Fernando invited her to live with them in rural Cambridgeshire in a caravan. But they were also selling part of their garden as a building plot, so Gretta snapped it up and employed her nephew Carlos to design a Malaysian-inspired, wood and glass pavilion.
Keeping it in the family, Fernando stepped in as project manager, but found that he had to bite his tongue now that his son was effectively his boss. Kevin McCloud sees family harmony tested further when Gretta decides Fernando’s favourite apple tree is for the chop.
