Episodes
Concrete Farmhouse
Architect Chris Moller meets Southland farmer Lachlan McDonald, who's building a modernist concrete home with a controversial roof in one of the most remote parts of NZ.
Earthship
Chris meets Gus and Sarah whose solution to spiraling house prices is to make their first home an Earthship - an off-the-grid house made of recycled rubbish, earthen bricks and clay. An Earthship is a non-traditional home built using recycled materials such as bottles and tyres, and even mussel shells for insulation. Young Coromandel couple Gus and Sarah Anning decided to step outside the norm with their Grand Design when they realized they couldn't afford a traditional home. Enlisting the help of community volunteers, both here and overseas and using unique building techniques originally designed for the desert in California, it's not certain how this Grand Design will fare in Coromandel's temperamental climate.
Steel House
Chris meets Scottish migrant and urbanite, Scott Lawrie, who has a dream for a new life and a radical new stainless steel home in the remote hills behind Pakiri. Sydney-based writer Scott Lawrie's plans for his new life in New Zealand are encapsulated in a sculptural steel house he is building on a remote rural hillside behind Pakiri beach. Scott has an unrelenting refusal to compromise on his "legacy", but a budget can only be stretched so far. Will Scott realize his extraordinary dream?
American Gothic
Chris meets builder Steve Sygrove, who's planning to build and ornate and colourful American Gothic home in the Titirangi bush. Fifth generation builder Steve Sygrove and his wife, Chrissy, have a passion for things pretty, floral and pink. Their unique build in the Titirangi bush near Auckland is a handcrafted American Gothic style house complete with ornate detailing like a Juliette balcony, spandrels, a horseshow window, lacework valences, and interior walls made of fabric. Steve rallies against the bureaucracy that is stifling the creativity in his craft and expects this grand dame of a building will be his swansong.
45° House
Chris meets architect Nic Ballara, who's planning to build a house on a steep 45-degree slope overlooking Wellington. Nic Ballara clearly has a head for heights as he starts to build a family home for him and his wife Callie and their 12-year-old daughter. Nic's site in the earthquake prone city of Wellington is so steep that it looks virtually impossible to build on, however Nic is convinced he has a solution and is determined to build his first home there. A logistical nightmare lies ahead as this Grand Design looks to be an uphill battle throughout.
Clifftop House
Chris meets Hamish and Diane Divett, who are rebuilding their house on the most unlikely spot - on the edge of a crumbling cliff top that plummets 40 metres to the sea below. Surfing Pastor Hamish Divett and his psychologist wife Diane have lived by the ocean for years, but in a dark, south-facing house that failed to take full advantage of the beautiful vista. To get the view they desperately desire, the couple have decided to push structural and logical planning to the limits. By building on a crumbling cliff with a sheer drop to the sea below, the Divetts will push their team to the edge to see this Grand Design though to completion.
Straw Bale House
After years of living apart with their separate children, Mike and Catherine are finally building an extraordinary straw bale together on top of a rocky outcrop in central Otego. Between them, Mike and Cathy have seven children from their previous marriages. With the last child finally moved out of home, the couple are going to build a Grand Design in which they will live alone together for the first time. They will be calling on Catherine's skills as one of the few female joiners in the country and Mike's talents as an inventor to build a unique straw bale and hemp house on an exposed rocky outcrop near Wanaka.
American Barns
The series finale sees Marty import two old American barns from New York valley, which are raised by heritage builders and merged with a design for a modern home. Timber merchant Marty Verry and his Venezuelan wife Morella have imported two historic New York barn frames that could be considered the oldest buildings in New Zealand. With plans to assemble the barn on the couples' rural site on the outskirts of Auckland, they intend them to become part of a modernist mansion acting as a tribute to the different timber Marty loves. But will the new homes honour the history they are built on or is this Grand Design set to take on a life of its own?
Point Chevalier: The Concreteologist
Ross plans to create a towering home for his family on the cliffs of Point Chevalier. But after living on site for nearly 10 years, his family is now wondering if he'll ever get their home finished.
New Plymouth: Hemp Home
New Plymouth couple Greg and Gayle build one of the first hemp homes in NZ, and spend thousands shielding themselves against what they believe are the ill effects of electromagnetic radiation.
Northland: Rusty House
Steve Wilson and Wendy Grell move from Auckland to the Northland beachside where they plan to build an architectural marvel of corten steel in an unassuming seaside community.
Kapiti Coast: Stilt House
Predicted sea level rises are not stopping architect Guy Marriage and his extended family from building a DIY Bach, only metres from the high tide mark on Wellington's Kapiti Coast.
Ponsonby: French House
Philippe and Sarah Lods hope to create a modernist home based on Parisian apartments on a rare empty site in the heart of Auckland's historic Ponsonby.
Queenstown: Modern Day Castle
Christchurch earthquake refugees Andy Macbeth and Jo Denton build a modern-day fortress against the elements in alpine Queenstown.
Christchurch: Shipping Container Home
Building with shipping containers seems like a creative way to create a home, but construction falling a year behind is only the start of this Christchurch family's build problems.
South Brighton: Earthquake Rebuild
A terminally ill Christchurch man and his family are determined to stay in South Brighton despite on-going earthquakes, and the fact their house is being built on a sand dune.
Helensville: Imitation Villa
Kelly wants to recreate an ornate historic homestead in Helensville - just like one she fell in love with as a child. And she's not letting her six kids hold her back.
Mount Ruapehu: Log Home
Ski enthusiast Ash dreams of building a traditional European Log Cabin at the base of Mount Ruapehu. But will his daughter's input compromise his dream?
Slipper Island: Island Hideaway
Sky wants to build a remote, off-grid island sanctuary, where he and his family can escape the demands of mainland life.
Queenstown: Moving Mansion
Jamie and Melissa went to buy a staircase from a Christchurch villa and ended up buying the whole house. Now they must transport their massive manion overland to Queenstown.
Nelson: Black House
George and Yvonne are leaving Auckland to retire in Nelson. They've chosen a difficult site over a tidal estuary and George wants to paint the entire house black - inside and out.
Auckland: Vinegar Lane Apartment
A young Auckland couple borrow a fortune to build their first home - and along the way face delays, budget blow-outs, and becoming new parents.
Waiheke: Canopy House
Wedding dress designer Robyn and husband David have a dream to build a home that looks across a native canopy. But will getting materials to their Waiheke site make the build impossible?
Point Chevalier: Music Box House
Mahuia and Mindy are preparing to be first-time parents and want to build a family home that will double as a recording studio and a rooftop performance space.
Christchurch: Britten Stables
The daughter of world famous motorbike inventor, John Britten, takes on the multi-million dollar task of restoring the eclectic earthquake damaged family home.
Mangawhai: Jetty House
Antiques lover Patty scours the country for historic materials to build a contemporary home. Her journey throws up weighty challenges like what to do with a hundred year old wharf?
Hamner Springs: Tree House
Ric and Boio turn a tree house childhood dream into reality. But building in a pine forest where trees frequently blow over in winter storms complicates things.
Te Arai: Tuscan Lodge
Cathy and Vince strive to create a massive Italian style villa with petanque court and heated pool. But their budget takes on a life of its own.
Wellington: Green House
Sustainability experts Karl and Amelie have a dream to build a home heated from the sun. But on a steep, windy Wellington hillside site they're challenged right from the start.
Cranmer Square: Red House
Photographers Johannes and Jo face double trouble - a heritage restoration with the addition of an architectural statement home on the side.
Brighton: Beach House
Young builder Zac wants to save money by building his own home. The problem is he's promised his mum he'll build hers at the same time - and both are on top of a sand dune.
Kenepuru Sound: Pod House
Kate and Ian want to live in the remote Kenepuru Sound, but it's a place tradies won't go to. Instead, the pair build off site and truck the home along a dangerous road.
Burnt Timber Pavilion
Shane and Tina Nicholls design a unique family home using Japanese burnt timber and Scandinavian brick, a special memorial garden, views over the gulf, a wine cellar, a pool, and much more – it’s a truly international affair.
Suspended Glass House
A site with a river running through it would put most people off. But not Harlem and Nicola who attempt to build a glass-house on a bridge over the water.
Wanaka Wedge
Musicians Justine Cormack and Marc Taddei swap their Auckland home for the mountains of Central Otago. They risk all by adapting an American design for the Southern Hemisphere.
Beach Escape
David and Tracey share a passion for architecture, but with diverging taste. Their joint home in Waipu Cove results in a clash of wills and an epic battle over the budget and infinity pool.
Taylor's Mistake
Six years in the making, Craig Jarvis' tiny 65 square metre home overlooking Taylor's Mistake is Grand Designs' longest running house build. Hand built, but is it finally finished?
Medieval Castle
Creating a 50-metre long castle wall is just the first of many uphill battles a brave family faces as they tackle the gargantuan task of creating a Medieval Castle in north Canterbury.
Grand Designs Revisited
Chris Moller takes a tour of three exceptional Grand Designs homes from the last four seasons to see how they've developed and to ask the big question - was it all worth it?
Back To The Music Box
Mahuia and Mindy are preparing to be the first-time parents and want to build a family home that will double as a recording studio and a rooftop performance space. In this episode we take you back to the home doubling as a recording studio as Mahuia and Mindy try to find harmony between an inspirational music space and a place to raise their family.
The Concreteologist - Revisited
One of Grand Designs' most compelling builds, in which concretologist Ross risks life and limb to create a towering home for his family on the cliffs of Pt Chevalier.
Grand Tearooms Penthouse
Auckland couple Bridget and Steve Varney take on the challenge of converting Farmers' grand tea rooms built in 1930 into a New York style loft.
Piha Clifftop Retreat
Joseph and Susannah battle storms and complex topography as they attempt to build a coastal paradise on a steep site with stunning view of Piha.
Floating Beach Bach
Normally, you'd think twice about building extreme beachfront in Paekākāriki... but it's a challenge top industrial designer Mark Pennington is ready to take on! Will Mark and Pip's dream home come to life or get washed away?
Feng Shui Palace
Kim Powell and Boon Yap scour Northland for the perfect spot to build a Feng Shui home. It's a rollercoaster ride.
Schist Vineyard
Roland and Lucienne Vanderwal join forces with their son Michiel to build a home out of local schist, in the middle of their central Otago vineyard.
Sounds Hideaway
An off the grid monolith in the Marlborough Sounds is a challenging build. But when you live 12,000 miles away like the O'Briens, it's nigh on impossible.
Lighthouse
Ex cops Sumita and Cameron Dale want to build a lighthouse with virtually no money. Will they pull it off? And what will the neighbours say?
Ultramodern Rooftop Home
Heritage building enthusiasts Ted and Ita Daniels create an ultra-modern rooftop apartment on top of one of the city's most beautiful renovations.
Copper Curve
Aaron and Christine Green create an unconventional, curvaceous creation in Cass Bay. It's as much of an artwork as it is a house, but at what cost?
Chatham Islands
After renting the local schoolhouse for 20 years, Chatham Islanders John and Bridget Preece are finally embarking on their own dream build. But will the challenges of building on a remote island prove to be their undoing?
Okaihau
In Kerikeri, local weekend market and café owners Warrick and Judy Hyland are building the biggest house they can on a budget.
Lake House
On the shores of Lake Tarawera, kiwi fruit farmers Stew and Gill Moss are building a final family home in time for Gill's 60th birthday party.
Round House
Carefree childhood memories are the inspiration behind 32-year-old James Davis' complex build on the Kapiti Coast.
Container House
Tony Hodge discovers that building with the humble container is not as easy as he thought it would be on his unforgiving, vertiginous, bush clad site on Waiheke Island.
Passive House
In Featherston, Swedish architect Josefine Watterson tackles the challenge of creating a Passive House for her young family in pursuit of both a more sustainable lifestyle.
Castello
In North Canterbury Phil Metaxas takes on the ambitious task of completing another man's dream - that of a post-modernist castle.
Sand Dune
Charles Webster, a man with a passion for technical engineering, and his wife Yvonne pour their energy into creating a home in the shape of a sand dune on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Abel Tasman
Mark Ahearn and his Australian restaurateur wife Liz are taking time out from their hectic lives in Perth to build a legacy family holiday home in Abel Tasman.
Mangawhai Danish
Matthew and Rosemarie Dunning are put down roots in Mangawhai and have decided to throw convention out the window by embracing their son's intriguing concept of a brick house in a sand dune.
Dunedin Glasshouse
Eternal globetrotter Tessa Kingsbury's dream is to convert an old Dunedin Sunday school into her forever home, but it comes with a twist - she's incorporating a glasshouse into the heart of it.
New Brighton
Josh and Esther Perriam have always wanted to build their family home on New Brighton's beachfront but, with a limited budget and on just a slip of land , will the design live up to their dream?
Mahurangi Pohuehue
On a steep site in the wilds of Mahurangi, just north of Auckland, architect Felicity Brenchly is prepared to do whatever it takes to get their family home built.
Geraldine
An hour - and 7 river crossings - inland from Geraldine is where arborist Li Tane and his landscaper wife Michelle are building their rammed earth, off-grid, sustainable mountain home for their family
Queenstown
When John and Sharon Russell bought their vertiginous site above Queenstown for their shared-ownership holiday house, they thought their biggest challenge would be signing up other owners...
Waitaki Valley
In the Waitaki Valley, Michael and Olivia Pavelitch discover they have their work cut out for them when they embark on breathing life into an historic rabbiters' cottage.
Waiheke Wonder
Plans for an elegant “empty nest” home on Waiheke Island are swamped by a sea of mud and a tsunami of rising construction costs.
Lake Ōhau
A cherished family holiday home at Lake Ōhau is rebuilt after destruction and near-death experience.
Concrete Californian
A concrete, steel and glass citadel above a popular Auckland beach combines austere functionality with luxury living.
Waikanae Rammed Earth
The dream of a sustainable rammed earth house at Waikanae risks crumbling in the face of building delays and steadily rising costs.
Lake Tahoe
Two psychologists undergo their own stress tests building a Mountain Modern home overlooking Otago Harbour.
Tennis Court
An old tennis court in Paraparaumu is set to become a couple's new family home but the project lobs up a series of backhanders.
Loburn Lifestyle
A couple with peaceful retirement in mind, plan a rustic retreat in North Canterbury inspired by a Stealth Bomber fighter.
Whanganui Mid-Century
A rambunctious retired bricklayer builds one final house, for himself and his ever-patient wife on their farm near Whanganui.
Earnscleugh
A well-resourced couple who fall in love with a rundown Central Otago “castle” find restoring a heritage building is anything but romantic.
Tauranga Hilltop
In the Western Bay of Plenty, a Modernist-inspired house with its own art gallery is the brainchild of a cement industry veteran who came to architecture later in life.
Huntsbury Strawbale
An environmentally-committed young couple in Christchurch buck convention by going back to the future with a centuries-old building material.
Bendigo
A Central Otago vineyard is the breath-taking site for a multi-generational home bringing an extended family back together with the matriarch's own journey front of mind.
Kawau
A Hauraki Gulf island with an illustrious history looks to be an idyllic family retreat but building there proves a logistical nightmare.
Martinborough
A “forever” home amongst the vines in Martinborough wine country, with a black and white combination of Yakisugi timber and Oamaru Stone, tests the limits of an enterprising couple’s resources.
Omaha
In a prominent position in one of New Zealand’s most well-known beach-side communities, an Auckland couple plan a holiday home work of art.
Rock House
A seemingly impossible to build on section high above Queenstown is the location for Hans and Suzy Raetz’s “fun” project – a modular home constructed in Cromwell.
Cast
Tom Webster
Presenter
Crew
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