Grand Designs Australia host Peter Maddison reveals his pet peeve home design trend
One of the most popular home design trends in Australia has been trashed by architect and Grand Designs Australia host Peter Maddison.
We’ve all heard the saying “bigger is better”.
And for a lot of Aussies – particularly those with growing families – this rings true when it comes to their homes.
The Australian dream today is all about movie theatres, extra large bedrooms, ensuites in every room and a sprawling backyard.
Grand Designs Australia host Peter Maddison told news.com.au Australian houses were, on average, the biggest houses in the world – and that it wasn’t something to be proud of.
“Bigger is not sustainable long-term,” said Maddison, who currently fronts season nine of the popular design show on Foxtel.
RELATED: Peter Maddison almost turned down Grand Designs gig
“We have lots of rooms people don’t go into and it results in dysfunctional houses with no interactions.
“We are building rooms that I think are nonsense. Home theatres, gyms, cellars … Likewise with service areas, there’s too much stuff in the bathroom, everyone wants two basins.
“It’s unfortunate we are compelled to do that.
“Everyone’s in a different room, watching a different show. It’s at a detriment to family life. Size and consumption, we’ve got to kick.”
Watch Grand Designs Australia on Foxtel’s LifeStyle or On Demand. New Foxtel Now customers get a 10-day free trial to all packs. Sign up at foxtel.com.au
Despite being an award-winning architect, the Melbourne resident has never built his own home.
When that day comes, it goes without saying he’ll focus on it being more intimate.
“I’d do it with soul and humbleness. There wouldn’t be highly finished spaces, and it would have joy and humour,” he added.
“Materials would be heartfelt, and would come from local timber shops using sustainable materials. Everything as locally sourced as possible.
“A building that captures who you are.”
RELATED: How the interior design of your home can impact your wellbeing
While he says homeowners are currently “eroded by extravagance”, Maddison insists architecture trends are slowly but surely moving in a more mindful direction.
“It’s moving away from glitz and glamour and searching for meaning,” he said.
“Anything that’s well considered.”
Season 9 of Grand Designs Australia airs on Foxtel’s LifeStyle channel on Wednesdays at 8.30pm
Foxtel is majority-owned by News Corp, publisher of this website
‘Perfect’: $1500 item found at Kmart for $27
A popular product that is 57 times cheaper than the most expensive version has landed once again at a budget department store.
Aussie kitchen item banned from January 1
Australians will no longer be able to import this everyday kitchen item into the country from January 1, 2025 after the government announced it was banned.
‘Add to cart’: $8 Big W item shoppers love
An $8 item from one of Australia’s department stores has been described as the “ultimate find”, with many others expressing an eagerness to get their hands on them.