British residential architecture is moving towards a more relaxed and experimental approach, with designers increasingly combining sustainability, historical references and playful details, according to Kevin McCloud, presenter of the long-running television series Grand Designs.
Speaking to Dezeen as the programme’s latest season began, McCloud said the UK’s domestic architecture had become less serious and more open to creative ideas over the past 27 years. First broadcast in 1999, Grand Designs follows individuals and families as they build their own homes, documenting both the successes and challenges of the process.
McCloud highlighted the renewed popularity of architectural arches, describing them as a feature that can give buildings both a sense of height and a feeling of solidity. He also welcomed what he sees as a growing willingness to bring together sustainability, history and archaeology in contemporary design.
The presenter’s positive assessment comes amid debate over the 2026 shortlist for the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize. The selection, which includes five brick-built projects, has drawn criticism from some commentators who argue that the buildings lack variety. McCloud, however, said architectural trends should be judged over a longer period, noting that buildings criticised as dull when first completed can gain recognition a decade later.
A growing focus on carbon and conservation
McCloud also pointed to a stronger emphasis on carbon reduction in building projects, arguing that sustainability alone is too broad a concept to capture the changes taking place. He said he was increasingly encountering projects that seek to manage land and biodiversity more carefully, using planting and trees to capture carbon in soil and help offset the environmental impact of construction.
This shift is also contributing to greater public support for the preservation of existing buildings, including those that might previously have attracted little attention because of their architectural style.
McCloud cited Shirehall in Shrewsbury, a 1960s modernist office building owned by the local council that has been put up for sale. He argued that the building remains fit for use and warned against replacing it with uniform, developer-led housing.
In his view, the growing interest in conservation reflects a combination of environmental concerns, heritage protection and social factors. He also believes the debate over which buildings deserve to be preserved has become more democratic, with local communities increasingly campaigning to protect places they value, regardless of when they were built.
Housing needs quality, not just quantity
Beyond his television work, McCloud has campaigned for better housing standards and greater provision of social housing. He expressed cautious optimism about recent changes to England’s National Planning Policy Framework but argued that design quality must become a more central part of planning policy.
For McCloud, the emphasis on housing numbers has dominated the debate for too long. Increasing supply without addressing the quality of homes, he suggested, will not solve the underlying problems.
He believes good housing does not necessarily require radical architectural innovation. Adequate space, practical storage and a strong connection with the outdoors are among the fundamentals that should guide residential design.
McCloud also called for architects to be given greater freedom to apply their expertise, rather than allowing profit-driven development to dominate decisions about the built environment.
His message is straightforward: improving British housing depends not only on how many homes are built, but also on the quality of their design and the trust placed in the professionals responsible for creating them.
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