Kevin Mccloud questions the couple's decision to create unusual home as the pair run into rising challenges of building on water
The couple faces challenges and creative solutions while building their "floating home"(Image credit: Channel 4)
In the latest episode of Grand Designs Kevin Mccloud meets a couple who have the idea to create a "floating home".
Howard and Sarah’s idea was to build a house on water, designed to adapt to rising tides and changing water levels. However, the reality of constructing such a unique structure came with several unexpected challenges.
"We want to create a home that's as fluid as the water around it," Howard explained, but Kevin McCloud pointed out, “This isn’t just about building a house. It’s about building something that can survive on water. And that is a very, very different challenge.”
The concept of a "floating home"
Image 1 of 2
The house was built to stand on the water's surface(Image credit: Channel 4)
The house was built to act like a boat, and even float like a boat(Image credit: Channel 4)
The idea behind the "floating home" was revolutionary. Howard and Sarah aimed to create a self-build that would rest on the surface of the water but remain perfectly stable despite the changing tides.
"It’s a house that floats, like a boat, but with all the comfort of a traditional home," Sarah said, describing the concept.
The house, which isn't the first Grand Designs floating house, was designed to sit on a large platform made of polystyrene slabs that would support the weight of the structure and keep it afloat. As the tide came in and out, the house was supposed to rise and fall gently with the water, much like a boat at dock, making it flood proof.
Kevin McCloud, however, had his reservations: “A house that floats sounds like a wonderful idea, but the reality is full of technical and practical challenges that Howard and Sarah will have to face.”
Get the Homebuilding & Renovating Newsletter
Bring your dream home to life with expert advice, how to guides and design inspiration. Sign up for our newsletter and get two free tickets to a Homebuilding & Renovating Show near you.
As construction began, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be an easy project. Kevin noted: “The concept is exciting, but there’s so much that can go wrong. It’s a huge risk, and it could either be an extraordinary success or a very expensive mistake.”
Despite the doubts, Howard and Sarah remained optimistic: “We know it’s risky, but it’s worth it. If we pull this off, it will be amazing.”
Construction challenges with creating a floating house
Image 1 of 4
The house was built on a polystyrene base(Image credit: Channel 4)
The platform, which was meant to stabilise the house on water, kept shifting during construction(Image credit: Channel 4)
Sarah said "the process is far more unpredictable than we imagined”(Image credit: Channel 4)
Howard said the pair saw many hurdles that disrupted their process(Image credit: Channel 4)
Building a "floating home" wasn’t as straightforward as Howard and Sarah had hoped. The first major hurdle was the construction of the polystyrene base, which was intended to provide buoyancy. However, this material proved to be difficult to handle.
Howard said: "We were expecting the polystyrene to be lightweight and easy to manage, but it’s actually really tough to get it in place properly."
The elements didn’t help either. The house was exposed to high winds and constant weather changes, and the team struggled to keep the build on track. "It feels like we’re fighting the elements every day," Sarah said, frustration creeping into her voice. “Everything takes longer than expected, and the process is far more unpredictable than we imagined.”
Kevin McCloud observed the ongoing delays and was candid about the struggles: “They’re facing more setbacks than I think they bargained for. What started as an exciting vision is now becoming a battle against the weather, against time, and against their budget.”
As the build stretched on, Howard admitted: "The dream is still there, but every time we think we’ve overcome one hurdle, another one seems to appear."
The end result: A house that stands out
Image 1 of 3
The couple's vision of a "floating home" challenges traditional construction while embracing the beauty of living on water(Image credit: Channel 4)
Kevin said "it feels disconnected from its surroundings” (Image credit: Channel 4)
Sarah said the house "feels like an experiment"(Image credit: Channel 4)
Despite the challenges, the "floating home" was finally completed – but not without some reservations from both the couple and Kevin.
When asked how they felt seeing the house finished, Sarah responded: “It’s a bit surreal. It’s not what I imagined, but it’s ours. It’s floating, and that’s something I never thought would happen.”
Howard added: “We did it. We created something unique, even if it didn’t turn out exactly like I imagined.”
Kevin McCloud was less enthusiastic: “The house itself is visually striking, but there’s an underlying tension. It’s almost as if the structure is trying to assert its individuality, but in doing so, it feels disconnected from its surroundings.”
Kevin wasn’t convinced it was a perfect fit for the location. "It doesn’t feel like it belongs here," he said. "The idea of a floating home is intriguing, but does it really work in this environment?"
While the couple was proud of their creation, they too had their concerns. "It’s definitely not perfect," Howard acknowledged. "There are still things we want to improve, but for now, we’re just glad we got this far."
Sarah added: "The house feels a little cold, a little sterile. We wanted warmth and cosiness, but there’s still something about it that feels like an experiment."
You can watch this episode of Grand Designs and all the latest episodes on Channel 4.
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
