When Rupert and Julie bought a hilltop site in the Berkshire Downs, they were determined to build a house that would make the most of the countryside and stunning views.

They turned to architecture firm Roderick James, which specialises in modern design and traditional timber craftsmanship. Together with architect Hugh McGann, they came up with a house of green oak and glass, built in an unusual cruciform (cross) shape.

The cruciform design meant that the house commanded views in every direction. It also created wind-breaks and areas of shelter on an exposed site. The house would have a timber frame, with 16 elevations and a double-height central space where all four wings connected. On the ground floor, this would be occupied by the kitchen. Above it, four bedrooms would open off a galleried landing.

Grand Designs Season 2 Episodes...

• s02e01 - Farnham: The Regency Villa
• s02e02 - Sussex: The New England House
• s02e03 - Huddersfield: The Wool Mill
• s02e04 - Wales: The Isolated Cottage
• s02e05 - The Cruciform House, Berkshire
• s02e06 - Birmingham: The Community Self-Build
• s02e07 - London: The Jewel Box
• s02e08 - Devon: The Derelict Barns
• s02e09 - Revisited - Birmingham: The Community Self-Build
• s02e10 - Revisited - Wales: The Isolated Cottage
• s02e11 - Revisited - Devon: The Derelict Barns
• s02e12 - Revisited - Lambourn: The Cruciform House
• s02e13 - The Co-Op: Revisited
• s02e14 - The Isolated Cottage: Revisited
• s02e15 - The Dilapidated Georgian House: Revisited
• s02e16 - The Water Tower: Revisited
• s02e17 - The Derelict Barns: Revisited

Grand Designs Show Summary

Grand Designs is a Channel 4 TV series covering unusual architectural house-building projects, presented by Kevin McCloud.

The properties featured in the series vary wildly from homes underground to converted water towers, with the only common factor being that they're all rather unusual or extravagant in some way.