Grand Designs Extras Grand Designs: Letters June '09

Date Published:

07/05/2009

Series 1-4 Grand Designs

Eye spy

My friend and I are fanatical about Grand Designs. We’re both architectural technicians and sometimes spend an hour on the phone after the programme discussing it! I’m coming to Grand Designs Live in London, and while there we plan to go to Kent to peek at the arched eco house featured on the latest series (if we can find it). When I came up last time we saw the white cube on the coast in Sussex and when my friend visited me last year we found the pink round house at Shaldon – so as you can see we’re complete enthusiasts – or just bonkers!
Sue Adams via email

I couldn’t believe it when your May issue arrived here in New Zealand today. First, because it is only 7 April. How efficient is that? And second, because it featured Sydney Opera House (Design icon, p22). I was teaching in Sydney from 1961-1963 and well remember all the discussions, the raffles to raise money and all the problems associated with building this amazing feature on Sydney’s harbour. On trips back to New Zealand by ship we would pass the structure, commenting on the slow progress. Now it is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world. Why don’t you visit our part of the world? We too have amazing buildings and interesting architects.
Carol Vigers Manukau, New Zealand

Ed says: Thanks Carol. We’re thrilled to have fans from New Zealand and Australia, and if you turn to p72 of this issue, you’ll see the admiration is reciprocated with a feature on a fantastically modern Melbourne house. Enjoy!

I agree wholeheartedly with Kevin McCloud’s comments about the importance of doing, rather than owning, in your March issue (GDM 61, p17) and I have been telling my occupational therapy students what a brilliant advocate you are for occupational science. As a result many students have come out of the closet and confessed that they are fans of ‘that Kevin McCloud’. Occupational scientists believe that doing is central to human existence, gives it purpose and form. If you would like to know more – get in touch. We are talking the same talk!
Deborah Harrison University of East Anglia, Norwich

This edition of the Letters Page is taken from the June issue of Grand Designs magazine. If you would like to subscribe for as little as £9 then head here to find out more.

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