Big Design Adventure

Tim Ross & Kevin McCloud
  • 4.8 (160)
  • DESIGN
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Two mates, Tim Ross — comedian, broadcaster, and self-described design nerd — and Kevin McCloud — pundit, writer and celebrated host of Grand Designs — have teamed up for a new podcast: Tim and Kev’s Big Design Adventure.   In this audio escapade, the architectural enthusiasts embark on a rollicking (and occasionally shambolic) journey, sharing their love of design by visiting buildings that inspire them, meeting the people who create or inhabit them, and diving deep into the places that shape and spark their imaginations.

  1. S2 Ep 4 - House for Birds

    14 HRS AGO

    S2 Ep 4 - House for Birds

    Tim and Kev head to the Sydney inner-city suburb of Marrickville to visit artist Leila Jeffreys and musician James Roden, who have spent a decade transforming a modest weatherboard cottage into a small but carefully considered home. Their dream? A small sustainable home that works for them and connects them to nature by creatinghabitat for birds and native species while rethinking what a suburban block can become. The result is a house which nods to Australian modernism that Kevin wants to move into and aconversation that will definitely be good for your soul. Leila is an award-winning photographic artist whose images of birds have been exhibited all over theworld and have featured in a number of best-selling publications. You can visit her website here:leilajeffreys.com James Roden is a musician who has also worked for record labels and as a band manager. He’s now the studio manager of Leila’s practice. You can check out his latest musical project here: snakeheads.com.au The house was designed by Will Fung at CO-AP Architects. co-ap.com Will has a great Instagram page (@will.fung) To view images from this episode, head to our Instagram page - @big_design_adventureAnd be sure to follow Tim Ross (@modernister) and Kevin McCloud (@kevin.mccloud1)We’d love to hear from you, reach out to us on hello@bigdesignadventure.comKnow someone who would love this podcast? Please help us share this exciting new adventure. Big Design Adventure is proudly sponsored by Space Furniture (@spacefurniture), the Australian Institute of Architects (@institute_architects_aus) and is produced with the support of the Alastair Swayn Foundation (@alastairswaynfoundation).   Hosts: Tim Ross and Kevin McCloudGuests: Leila Jeffreys and James RodenBig Design Adventure is produced by Modernister Films on Wallumedegal land, Australia.Executive Producer: Shelley KempAudio Production: Madeline Joannou – Mylk MediaMusic: Kit Warhurst (@kitwarhurst) Please note this podcast is not currently available in the UK or Ireland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min
  2. S2 Ep3 - A Life in the Museum

    17 FEB

    S2 Ep3 - A Life in the Museum

    Can you imagine living in a museum? Tim and Kev head to Surrey to visit The Homewood, the modernist masterpiece Patrick Gwynnedesigned for his family in the late 1930s. Completed in 1938, The Homewood is one of the mostremarkable examples of pre-war modernist architecture in Britain. Gwynne later gifted the house to the National Trust in 1999, with the stipulation that someone must live in it and that it be opened to the public for part of the year. That person is Lou, whose family has called it home since 2004 while welcoming visitors inside thisextraordinary piece of living history. I bet you’ve got questions already. We certainly did - and we’ve probably asked most of them in thisfascinating interview, recorded around Gwynne’s own custom-made round dining table. Thanks to Lou and The National Trust for assisting with this episode. You can learn more about the house and when you can visit here on their website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/the-homewood To view images from this episode, head to our Instagram page - @big_design_adventureAnd be sure to follow Tim Ross (@modernister) and Kevin McCloud (@kevin.mccloud1)We’d love to hear from you, reach out to us on hello@bigdesignadventure.comKnow someone who would love this podcast? Please help us share this exciting new adventure. Big Design Adventure is proudly sponsored by Space Furniture (@spacefurniture), the Australian Institute of Architects (@institute_architects_aus) and is produced with the support of the Alastair Swayn Foundation (@alastairswaynfoundation).   Hosts: Tim Ross and Kevin McCloudGuest: Louise ScottBig Design Adventure is produced by Modernister Films on Wallumedegal land, Australia.Executive Producer: Shelley KempAudio Production: Madeline Joannou – Mylk MediaMusic: Kit Warhurst (@kitwarhurst) Please note this podcast is not currently available in the UK or Ireland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    49 min
  3. S2 Ep 2 - Giuseppe’s House

    10 FEB

    S2 Ep 2 - Giuseppe’s House

    What happens when you try to fix the housing crisis without destroying the suburbs we love? You getdensity by stealth. Tim and Kev head to the Perth suburbia to visit Giuseppe’s House, a 1960s home recently restored bylocal architect Kate Fitzgerald. Beneath the terrazzo floors and colourful character lies a bigger idea: how to add more housing to our cities without flattening their identity. Kate shares her approach to preserving streetscapes while quietly increasing density, rethinkingbackyards, laneways and overlooked spaces to create the “missing middle” between apartments andtraditional homes. Along the way, they unpack Perth’s boom-and-bust development history, the rise ofmigrant architecture, and why small, clever infill might be the key to housing affordability. Check out Kate’s work on their website - https://www.whisperingsmith.com.au including her home (House A) and Giuseppe’s House. To view images from this episode, head to our Instagram page - @big_design_adventureAnd be sure to follow Tim Ross (@modernister) and Kevin McCloud (@kevin.mccloud1)We’d love to hear from you, reach out to us on hello@bigdesignadventure.comKnow someone who would love this podcast? Please help us share this exciting new adventure. Big Design Adventure is proudly sponsored by Space Furniture (@spacefurniture), the Australian Institute of Architects (@institute_architects_aus) and is produced with the support of the Alastair Swayn Foundation (@alastairswaynfoundation).   Hosts: Tim Ross and Kevin McCloudGuest: Kate Fitzgerald (@whisperingsmith_)Big Design Adventure is produced by Modernister Films on Wallumedegal land, Australia.Executive Producer: Shelley KempAudio Production: Madeline Joannou – Mylk MediaMusic: Kit Warhurst (@kitwarhurst) Please note this podcast is not currently available in the UK or Ireland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    49 min
  4. S2 Ep 1 - Brutiful Birmingham

    3 FEB

    S2 Ep 1 - Brutiful Birmingham

    We’re back with Series Two! Tim and Kevin head to Birmingham to explore a city defined by industry, reinvention and the homeof Peaky Blinders, Black Sabbath and ELO. Over tea and biscuits with journalist and campaigner Mary Keating, they examine the fight to save theSmallbrook Ringway Centre, one of Europe’s longest modernist buildings and a rare surviving example of Birmingham’s post-war ambition. In the decades following the Second World War, Birmingham was radically reshaped by modern planning and the rise of the car. New roads, new civic buildings and bold architectural experiments transformed the city, reflecting a belief that modern design could deliver progress, efficiency and optimism. Today, many of these - particularly brutalist - buildings are under threat, dismissed as outdated or expendable. The Ringway Centre sits at the heart of this debate, raising the question of whether a city’s confidence can determine which buildings survive. Follow Brutiful Birmingham (@brutifulbirmingham) and Birmingham Modernist (@birminghammodernist) on Instagram. To view images from this episode, head to our Instagram page - @big_design_adventureAnd be sure to follow Tim Ross (@modernister) and Kevin McCloud (@kevin.mccloud1)We’d love to hear from you, reach out to us on hello@bigdesignadventure.comKnow someone who would love this podcast? Please help us share this exciting new adventure. Big Design Adventure is proudly sponsored by Space Furniture (@spacefurniture), the Australian Institute of Architects (@institute_architects_aus) and is produced with the support of the Alastair Swayn Foundation (@alastairswaynfoundation).   Hosts: Tim Ross and Kevin McCloudGuest: Mary KeatingBig Design Adventure is produced by Modernister Films on Wallumedegal land, Australia.Executive Producer: Shelley KempAudio Production: Madeline Joannou – Mylk MediaMusic: Kit Warhurst (@kitwarhurst) Please note this podcast is not currently available in the UK or Ireland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    44 min
  5. A Christmas Special

    23/12/2025

    A Christmas Special

    In the special festive episode, can you have a room just reserved for Christmas Day? What’s our hot take on the merits of tinsel, and we present our all time favourite Christmas movies and songs. The model makers who create wooden Christmas ornaments of buildings can be found on Instagram here: Atelier Maps or their Esty store here.  For suggestions of places and stories for Series 2, shoot us an email to hello@bigdesignadventure.com - we will be back on 4 th February 2026! Tickets are now on sale for Kevin McCloud and Tim Ross – Live in Interesting Places –check out the details on our website – http://bigdesignadventure.com/ You can find pictures and videos on our Instagram page - @big_design_adventure  And be sure to follow Tim Ross (@modernister) and Kevin McCloud (@kevin.mccloud1) We’d love to hear from you, reach out to us on hello@bigdesignadventure.com  Know someone who would love this podcast? Please help us share this exciting new adventure.    Big Design Adventure is proudly sponsored by Space Furniture (@spacefurniture), the Australian Institute of Architects (@institute_architects_aus) and is produced with the support of the Alastair Swayn Foundation (@alastairswaynfoundation).    Hosts: Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud Big Design Adventure is produced by Modernister Films on Wallumedegal land, Australia.  Executive Producer: Shelley Kemp  Audio Production: Madeline Joannou – Mylk Media  Video Production: Ned Williams Music: Kit Warhurst (@kitwarhurst)    Please note this podcast is not currently available in the UK or Ireland.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 7m
  6. S1 Ep 15 - A Mini Episode

    18/11/2025 · BONUS

    S1 Ep 15 - A Mini Episode

    In this mini episode we’ve got huge news about the final show for the year and we answer our most asked question. For questions and suggestions for our Christmas episode, shoot us an email to hello@bigdesignadventure.com For suggestions of places and stories for Series 2, shoot us an email to hello@bigdesignadventure.com Tickets are now on sale for Kevin McCloud and Tim Ross – Live in Interesting Places –check out the details on our website – http://bigdesignadventure.com/ You can find pictures and videos on our Instagram page - @big_design_adventure  And be sure to follow Tim Ross (@modernister) and Kevin McCloud (@kevin.mccloud1) We’d love to hear from you, reach out to us on hello@bigdesignadventure.com  Know someone who would love this podcast? Please help us share this exciting new adventure.    Big Design Adventure is proudly sponsored by Space Furniture (@spacefurniture), the Australian Institute of Architects (@institute_architects_aus) and is produced with the support of the Alastair Swayn Foundation (@alastairswaynfoundation).    Hosts: Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud Big Design Adventure is produced by Modernister Films on Wallumedegal land, Australia.  Executive Producer: Shelley Kemp  Audio Production: Madeline Joannou – Mylk Media  Video Production: Ned Williams Music: Kit Warhurst (@kitwarhurst)    Please note this podcast is not currently available in the UK or Ireland.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    14 min
  7. S1 Ep 14 - Experiments in Social Housing

    11/11/2025

    S1 Ep 14 - Experiments in Social Housing

    Tim and Kev head to London to visit Highgate New Town, a 1970s social housing scheme designed by Hungarian-born architect Peter Tabori. Over a cup of tea with architect and long-time resident Rachel Stevenson, they uncover the secret behind the development’s enduring success. In the 1960s and ’70s, Camden became a testing ground for a new kind of socialhousing in London — one that valued community, good design, and human scale over high-rise efficiency. Under the leadership of visionary architects like Sydney Cook, the Camden Architects Department produced some of the most influential housing in postwar Britain, including schemes by Neave Brown, Benson and Forsyth, and Peter Tabori. Highgate New Town was one of these bold experiments, driven by the belief that public housing could be both socially progressive and architecturally ambitious.  To view the full film – The White Flats - https://vimeo.com/917073596?share=copy To check out the book – Cook’s Camden – The Making of Modern Housing -https://isokongallery.org/products/cooks-camden-the-making-of-modern-housing To check out the book – Modernist Estates – The Buildings and People Who Live In Them - https://www.thenile.com.au/books/stefi-orazi/modernist-estates/9780711269262?srsltid=AfmBOoq45XQqD6qTV23sNHDZh6nTK0T6JnnCqKs0laLt5J43t6E1M89N Tickets are now on sale for Kevin McCloud and Tim Ross – Live in Interesting Places –check out the details on our website – http://bigdesignadventure.com/   You can find pictures and videos on our Instagram page - @big_design_adventure  And be sure to follow Tim Ross (@modernister) and Kevin McCloud (@kevin.mccloud1) We’d love to hear from you, reach out to us on hello@bigdesignadventure.com  Know someone who would love this podcast? Please help us share this exciting new adventure.    Big Design Adventure is proudly sponsored by Space Furniture (@spacefurniture), the Australian Institute of Architects (@institute_architects_aus) and is produced with the support of the Alastair Swayn Foundation (@alastairswaynfoundation).    Hosts: Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud Big Design Adventure is produced by Modernister Films on Wallumedegal land, Australia.  Executive Producer: Shelley Kemp  Audio Production: Madeline Joannou – Mylk Media  Video Production: Ned Williams Music: Kit Warhurst (@kitwarhurst)    Please note this podcast is not currently available in the UK or Ireland.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    43 min
  8. S1 Ep 13 - Questions

    04/11/2025

    S1 Ep 13 - Questions

    In answering all your burning questions, Kevin reveals his one-sided feud with Jay Kay from Jamiroquai. There are a few mea culpas along the way as we tackle your criticisms and wonder if design can save us in a world without the communal joy of watching shows like Sale of the Century. Oh, and we’ve got a HUGE announcement to make!   You can check out Kev on Top Gear’s You Tube channel here: https://youtu.be/vpLq6rGwzpY?si=a4FOeL6cWGhP8A3b   Simon sent us some wonderful links including:    The chairs of Doctor Who - https://pinkforyouractualpterodactyl.com/2021/06/20/the-chairs-of-doctor-who-1963-89/    The chairs of Blake 7 - https://watchingblakes7.wordpress.com/2019/06/18/the-chairs-of-blakes-7/    The furnishings of Space 1999 - https://catacombs.space1999.net/main/models/wrefmp.html    You can find pictures and videos on our Instagram page - @big_design_adventure  And be sure to follow Tim Ross (@modernister) and Kevin McCloud (@kevin.mccloud1) We’d love to hear from you, reach out to us on hello@bigdesignadventure.com  Know someone who would love this podcast? Please help us share this exciting new adventure.    Big Design Adventure is proudly sponsored by Space Furniture (@spacefurniture), the Australian Institute of Architects (@institute_architects_aus) and is produced with the support of the Alastair Swayn Foundation (@alastairswaynfoundation).    Hosts: Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud Big Design Adventure is produced by Modernister Films on Wallumedegal land, Australia.  Executive Producer: Shelley Kemp  Audio Production: Madeline Joannou – Mylk Media  Video Production: Ned Williams Music: Kit Warhurst (@kitwarhurst)    Please note this podcast is not currently available in the UK or Ireland.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    41 min
See All (21)

Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
160 Ratings

About

Two mates, Tim Ross — comedian, broadcaster, and self-described design nerd — and Kevin McCloud — pundit, writer and celebrated host of Grand Designs — have teamed up for a new podcast: Tim and Kev’s Big Design Adventure.   In this audio escapade, the architectural enthusiasts embark on a rollicking (and occasionally shambolic) journey, sharing their love of design by visiting buildings that inspire them, meeting the people who create or inhabit them, and diving deep into the places that shape and spark their imaginations.

Information

  • Creator
    Tim Ross & Kevin McCloud
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Big Design Adventure

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