Tassie homes make ‘Grandest Designs’ list

A coastal off-grid island gem, a minimalist custom pod and a Tamar Valley slice of paradise have made Grand Designs Australia host Peter Maddison’s list of architectural highlights. SEE THE LIST >>

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A COASTAL off-grid island gem, a minimalist custom pod and a Tamar Valley slice of paradise have made Grand Designs Australia host Peter Maddison’s list of architectural highlights.

The show is known for documenting in-depth journeys beginning with a property owner’s dream and transforming little by little into an architectural masterpiece.

Alice Hansen was thrilled to learn her Lewisham Pod had made number 20 in the list of Maddison’s 21 “Grandest Designs” to grace the show.

The compact, warm, wooden and soothing interior surrounded by stunning natural views was pieced together with locally crafted furnishings and materials as a refreshingly humble take on architecture.

“Often wealthy couples with so much money go on the show, that’s what surprised me about the fact they came down here and covered this tiny little box looking over the Southern Ocean,” she said.

“With the beauty of the stars and the outdoor bath tub, they were captivated.”

Ms Hansen said the key to her $430,000 abode’s charm was simplicity.

Whale Tail has featured on Peter Maddison's "Grandest Designs" list of highlight. Andrew and Dianne Blake own the home at Yambacoona, King Island. Source: SUPPLIED

“You might live in a small house but the connection with nature and people is beautiful.

“I begged the architects to make the fireplace the focal point. They kept saying ‘you need a TV’, I said ‘you need a fireplace and that’s it, so people can talk and connect’.

Other properties sneaking into the series were Tamar Stepped House in the Tamar Valley at number 14 on the list and King Island Whale Tail at number 13.

The King Island jewel overlooked expansive rolling hills upon a sand dune with a vast, light-filled interior.

The Tamar home is yet to shine in the ninth Grand Designs Australia season, premiering on LifeStyle at 8.30pm March 31 and screening every Wednesday.

Peter Maddison had his work cut out dubbing only 21 projects the show’s Grandest Designs.

“There are a couple of aspects that make important buildings,” he said.

“One is the human story and the personality that goes into creating buildings. That’s what we follow on Grand Designs – the story is as strong as the sunsets and the architecture and the builder.

“The other aspect is the architecture itself, and what these houses are creating in terms of a built legacy for Australia.”

Couple’s home embraces beauty of Bass Strait

BETWEEN curating exhibitions and immersing himself in King Island culture, Andrew Blake has reflected on the community effort and daring vision behind his incredible home.

Mr Blake and wife Dianne enjoyed long careers as artists in tropical northeast Arnhem Land before moving to the blustery, elemental Bass Strait island to build their dream house.

Whale Tail has featured on Peter Maddison's "Grandest Designs" list of highlights. Andrew and Dianne Blake own the home at Yambacoona, King Island. Source: SUPPLIED

Whale Tail was so named when the home’s early sketch took on a peculiar shape.

“I was on site explaining to the architect ‘this is what we want’ with my arms outstretched looking at a view we had of a sand dune,” Mr Blake said.

“His initial sketch had two wings, like my arms outstretched, and a central body of the house, which looked a little bit like an aeroplane’s back plane area.”

Andrew and Dianne shared their home building journey via beloved architecture show Grand Designs Australia.

Whale Tail. Source: SUPPLIED

Mr Blake believed the Whale Tail episode was one of the show’s most successful – an opinion mirrored by the episode’s inclusion on host Peter Maddison’s “Grandest Designs” list of homely highlights.

“I know when it’s being televised again because our phone starts to ping, which is quite lovely,” Mr Blake said.

He has been recognised by strangers in unlikely places, including in a Japanese temple and on a plane.

Among his whirlwind efforts to organise Ten Days on the Island events, the artist has taken time to thank his neighbours for helping create the spacious coastal home among smooth green fields.

“We couldn’t have done it without the support of the local community of King Islanders.”