Having fronted Grand Designs since 1999, Kevin McCloud has witnessed an impressive range of ambitious and unusual projects. But there is one particular project that stands out to him the most. In an episode that aired in 2014, Kevin met professional architect Patrick Bradley, who announced plans to build on a plot of land on his parents' farm in Slaughtnell, County Derry.

Struggling to pay for building materials, Patrick came up with a clever way to cut costs by upcycling four shipping containers to form the frame of his new home. Speaking ahead of Grand Designs Live, sponsored by Daikin, Kevin explained that although the house itself stood out, it was the memories created during its build that left the strongest impression.

He said: "For me, the projects are different for different reasons and they're good for different reasons. There's Patrick Bradley in Northern Ireland because I got to know Patrick and he became a mate. He got married and had kids in his house. He built a studio out of shipping containers, like his house."

Kevin explained that he got to know Patrick's entire family, which ultimately became the heart of the story.

He added: "It's different reasons for different projects, but Patrick's stands out. His mum's cooking stands out!"

When it comes to projects that have stayed with him most, Kevin admitted it is less about the construction of the house itself and more about the behind-the-scenes moments that viewers never see.

"I'm remembering the pub, the stories, the antics, the messing around, the crews on that location, the guys that I worked with sometimes for 20 or 30 years," he remarked.

Patrick's house is also particularly memorable for Kevin as the episode was made by Rob Gill, a close friend of his who now directs and produces Gone Fishing.

Another project Kevin highlighted was the infamous lighthouse, broadcast in 2019, which Edward Short had hoped would become a dream home for him and his family.

However, the build ended up costing him a fortune, leaving him on the brink of bankruptcy. The strain of the project also placed enormous pressure on his marriage, ultimately leading to Edward and his wife Hazel's separation.

Edward's story has been described as one of the saddest ever featured on Grand Designs, and it has stayed with Kevin.

He said: "If I think about Ed and the terrible story of his overreaching in trying to build that lighthouse on the north Devon coast. That was a great project to be involved with because it took us 12 years to film it.

"That was 12 years of my life and of his and I got to know Ed really well. It's therefore impossible not to dissociate the memories of making it, not all of which were happy. The story wasn't always happy but it was life."

Kevin explained that three directors were involved in making Edward's episode, and highlighted how much had changed over time, from the breakdown of the couple's marriage to their children growing up.

Despite Edward's hardships, Kevin recalled revisiting the property, which he described as "redemptive", noting that it had "moved on to a much more positive place".

The five-bedroom property in Croyde, Devon, sold for £4.35 million in 2025.

Kevin McCloud was speaking ahead of Grand Designs Live, sponsored by Daikin, the UK's premier home & design exhibition this 1-4 May 2026.