Grand Designs Australia Season 5

Before Matt McLelland’s wife Anne died six years ago, they’d been looking for a rural property to build on - a place to call home for them and for their four adult children to come to visit. So when Matt stumbled across 40 acres in central Victoria with spectacular views to Mt Alexander’s granite hill side, he knew he’d found the spot.

Like many people, Dean and Sherril Lamb yearn for a simpler existence, for them and their three children. But unlike most people, they’re actually going to try to make it happen. They’ve sold their successful fruit shop and home in Warragul and bought 40 acres in Pipers Creek in country Victoria; all in the pursuit of total self sufficiency.

The brief to their architect was simple. A home that not only makes the very best of its location, but is truly unique. In short, as different as possible from the traditional ranch style and Queenslander neighbours.

When Jason Bretell and Jennifer Pancari first set eyes on a dilapidated old bluestone cottage in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Williamstown, it was love at first sight. The 150-year-old derelict structure was left almost frozen in time with decaying tools, utensils, and other remnants amongst the ruins – bits and pieces Jason and Jen hope to salvage as they bring the cottage back to life.

After years working abroad, Sarah and English born husband Alistair Brodie-Fraser decided to relocate back to Sarah’s home town of Toowoomba in Queensland. This time the move will be permanent – close to Sarah’s extended family. But with Sarah’s father being German, her mother Scottish and Alistair’s connection with the UK, memories of Europe were bound to have some influence in the design of their new house.

Some people have the ability to see beyond the function of an object - to see it as a work of art……and it’s that premise that’s driven Melbourne doctors, Ian and Ann Howard, to create a home like no other. Their plan is to build a 3 storey house clad entirely with water tanks – massive 2 metre high ‘H’ shaped black plastic beasts that will form the skin of their new house.

After 30 years as a civil engineer, Joe Cato sells his building business to spend more time with his kids and build a new house. This house will be completed entirely by rammed earth construction.

An architect, Ariane Prevost, at the peak of her career, puts it aside to design and build a house for herself and her husband Neil.

The single longest build in Grand Designs Australia's history. This 6 year build was all about getting their dream house absolutely perfect.

An experimental three storey house made entirely from 31 new shipping containers.