Grand Designs Australia on ABC and ABC iview S11E8 – Interior designer and former Olympic snowboarder Jo and commercial builder husband Josh take on a mountainous challenge when they decide to build their family retreat high on a remote ridge in Victoria’s Strath Creek.
Deep in sheep country on a block they were told was impossible to build on, Jo and Josh have plans to create two modern and sculptural Australian farm shed-like structures – one for sleeping in, the other for living – that sit harmoniously in the landscape.
With a budget of just $500,000 the focus is on thermal efficiency and creating elegant, liveable spaces, while outside they want a giant, seamless corrugated steel shell for each of the buildings to give them a unique, sleek look.
But within weeks of starting the build the challenges mount; the outer steel shell proves to be impossible to manufacture on their limited budget, and progress onsite is hampered by the remote location and horrendous weather.
Despite the stress, Jo perseveres with her plans to create a peaceful and harmonious home that’s fitting for such a spectacular location and designs some low cost but beautifully handcrafted elements that Josh must try and construct. Will it be enough to elevate the project from merely a couple of uninviting steel sheds to an inviting holiday haven that they’ll eventually call home?
Production credits:
Grand Designs Australia is produced by Fremantle Australia for ABC. Head of Unscripted: Josie Mason Campbell. Supervising Executive Producer: Brooke Bayvel. Executive Producer: Michael Collett. ABC Commissioning Editor, Factual: Jo Chichester. ABC Head of Factual: Susie Jones. ABC Head of Screen Content: Jennifer Collins. International Distribution: Fremantle Distribution.
Grand Designs Australia on ABC and ABC iview – Thursday 28 November at 8.00pm
TV Central ABC content HERE
Grand Designs Australia on ABC and ABC iview S11E8
