I think that right now, in construction around the world, there is a British culture of design and engineering. I think we are still the best in the world. If you go to China, and look at every major project happening there, a phenomenal number of British architects are involved.
Every country has its own traditions - Japan has a very strong architectural tradition, so does America, and France too. But I think that right now, the most diverse, interesting, inventive and imaginative direction is coming from Britain.
Yeah. I think the general view is that we're a fairly conservative nation. And yet if you look at the history of engineering in Britain, it's defined by the expression 'Work in Progress'. I think we have a fantastic tradition of risk-taking. It's British eccentricity at its best - people going out on a limb because they're passionate about something. I love that aspect of our country - it's the antithesis if dullness. Some of the projects we've filmed are just crazy, stuff that's brand new and unique.
I'll tell you when it's all over. I don't know what it'll be like. I'm planning on not drinking very much alcohol that week. I'll be trying to get to bed early. We'll be building this house, we've got about 15 film crews working around the clock, it's a huge enterprise. We've got all these films to put together, all these guests, a live studio audience. And it's all got to come together in a very short period of time and be broadcast every evening. Of course things are going to go wrong. But I've done a bit of live telly, and I really enjoy the buzz. The problem is, how do you get rid of the adrenaline at the end of every day? What I will not be doing is going out to clubs. You won't see me being photographed falling out of them at 3am, with a bimbo on each arm. I think I'll be going back to my hotel and dying slowly. It's going to be a mad week, and we're not going to get much sleep, but it'll be worth it.
Grand Designs Live begins on Sunday 4th May at 8:05pm, and is on daily at 5pm and 9pm throughout the week.
Want to be a self-build guru? Then read on....
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