Kevin McCloud is currently in Sydney filming with his Grand Designs Australia counterpart, Anthony Burke.
And on Wednesday the beloved British television presenter, 64, had some harsh words for dodgy developers in New South Wales.
Speaking to the Daily telegramsaid the writer and designer: ‘The entire real estate industry is focused on one thing: money.’
McCloud found it unsurprising to hear that a recent strata survey conducted by the NSW government found that 53 per cent of apartments registered between 2016 and 2022 suffered from at least one significant defect.
“Generating more profits, that’s the driving force,” he told the publication.
Kevin McCloud (pictured) is currently in Sydney filming alongside his counterpart at Grand Designs Australia, Anthony Burke
McCloud found it unsurprising to hear that a recent strata survey conducted by the NSW government found that 53 per cent of apartments registered between 2016 and 2022 suffered from at least one significant defect
“So what we get is a relatively poor built environment because someone wants to make more money by cutting spending,” he continued.
It comes as McCloud surprised Grand Designs fans when he revealed his ‘favourite house ever’ featured on the show was made from shipping containers.
Professional architect Patrick Bradley divided opinion when he announced plans to build on a plot of land on his parents’ farm in Slaughtnell, Northern Ireland.
Being strapped for cash when it came to building materials, Mr Bradley came up with an ingenious solution to save money, choosing to upcycle four shipping containers to create the frame of the new house.
Although containers are extremely strong when stacked on top of each other, Patrick’s plan to stack them crosswise at the weakest point was cause for concern.
In order to build the building in this way, a new steel skeleton was needed – which had to be made by steel workers elsewhere – so that the weight of the containers could be supported centrally.
Patrick said he was extremely nervous when the containers were arranged into their final layout.
It comes as McCloud surprised Grand Designs fans when he revealed his ‘favorite house ever’ featured on the show was made from shipping containers
Professional architect Patrick Bradley divided opinion when he announced plans to build on a plot of land on his parents’ farm in Slaughtnell, Northern Ireland. Patrick’s house is in a secluded spot on the family farm and the four shipping containers form a giant cross
It was a boom or bust moment for a project that took nine months to complete in 2014.
“This was probably one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of all the houses I’ve built,” he said.
Luckily for Patrick, he said they turned out to be “as solid as a rock.”
Patrick decided that a spot on his family’s farm would be the perfect place to build this impressive project out of shipping containers, which many thought impossible. Pictured with Kevin
At the time, Kevin thought the project was a disaster in the making, with the potential to ruin an idyllic spot on the family farm. Patrick had to fight desperately to win over his doubters. But Kevin was convinced of the project, which he later called “almost flawless.” In the photo the living room now with spectacular views
With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, covering 115 square meters, the property was built for just £130,000.
Even Patrick’s family – who initially had their doubts – was impressed with the end result.
“(My mom) didn’t come over until it was done,” Patrick explained.
“But from the moment she saw the finished building, she loved it. She is there every day for tea and to look at her precious view.’
The pioneer has continued his innovative work and has since built a gold-clad shipping container studio from which he can work (pictured)
After the first program aired, Patrick (pictured) was inundated with requests from all over the world to design container homes for others