My top 5 buildings
1. Durham Cathedral , England. AD 1093
Durham Cathedral was the building that made me want to be an architect. I remember going to visit the building at the age of 12 and it blew me away with its unbelievable beauty. Founded in AD 1093 it is generally regarded as one of the finest examples of a Norman cathedral and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits alongside the River Wear, which runs down to my home city of Sunderland. I wish I could design a building that would last a thousand years!
2. Barcelona Pavilion by Mies Van Der Rohe 1929
The Barcelona Pavilion, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, was the German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona. It was one of the most important buildings in the history of modern architecture and was a thing of absolute design simplicity and beauty. The Pavilion was dismantled at the end of the exhibition, but a replica has since been built on the same site (1988). Mies designed the Barcelona chair for the pavilion.
3. Sir John Soanes House, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London 1792-1824
Without any doubt my favorite building in London. Between 1792 an 1824 the architect Sir John Soane demolished and rebuilt 3 houses in succession on the north side of Lincoln’s Inn Fields to create a hidden architectural gem of a home. Soane designed this house to live in, but also as a setting for his antiquities and his works of art. This is a building that has inspired so much of my own work. It is truly wonderful so please go and visit it.
4. The Villa Mairea by Alvar Aalto 1937
Finnish architect Alvar Aalto is probably my favourite architect and this is the most beautiful home. The Villa Mairea is a villa, guest-house and rural retreat designed in 1937 for Harry and Maire Gullichsen in Noormarkku, Finland. They told Aalto that he should regard it as ‘an experimental house’ which he most certainly did. Aalto was an absolute master and his buildings were beautifully planned and sensitively detailed using warm elegant materials.
5. My Home, London 2007
Not quite the Villa Mairea, but I absolutely love my own home in London. It is a simple Edwardian house that I completed gutted and renovated in a contemporary style in 2007. A good building makes you smile and everytime I walk in through the front door my home brings a smile to my face. As Dorothy says in the Wizard of Oz…‘there’s no place like home’ and she’s right!
Livi Short
on May 21st, 2009
@ 2:53 pm:
When I was 13 i fell in love with York Minster and I remember watching the news and seeing the fire spreading through it in 1984. I sent many pictures to Blue Peter when they held the competition to design the new roof bosses and was sad that I never won. To this day I adore the building and how it has survived many fires and battles.
Our home was built in 1750 in a gorgeous village that is a conservation area. Our house is in a terrace leading up to our local church is St Thomas the Martyr which was built in 1307. Living here sometimes feels like a step back in time. I feel honoured to live in a home that has such history in and around it.
George Clarke
on May 21st, 2009
@ 5:06 pm:
Your love of beautiful buildings is amazing. York Minster is a very special place. It was one of my first ever school trips. I’m pleased you love your home. If you are such a fan of homes with incredible history, watch my new series, Restoration Man, which comes out this Autumn. Thanks for your lovely message. George x
Livi Short
on May 21st, 2009
@ 6:09 pm:
Restoration Man would have been helpful earlier this year when our chimney collapsed and we had to rebuild and restore our home. it is still an ongoing project but we hope the house likes what we have done,it has crippled us financially.
George Clarke
on May 22nd, 2009
@ 6:44 am:
I’m sorry to hear that. Restoring beautiful buildings is not always cheap, but well done you for keeping at it. Good luck with the rest of the build! George x
ian clarkson
on Jun 11th, 2009
@ 8:21 pm:
Hi George, just seen your show for the first time tonight and enjoyed it, picking up on your accent, although quite well disguised now. I agree with your thoughts on Durham Cathedral, although we are biased as we live there, it is truly amazing and a great structure to grace the Durham peninsula. I shall have to investigate your work further. Oh and I also have an iphone and am also a huge fan of Apple – I think it’s a design thing, they are truly inspiring with their products and ethos on design devepment – so we seem to have a lot in common. I guess you are quite happy about the football at the moment as well – I know I am.
all the best
Ian
George Clarke
on Jun 12th, 2009
@ 11:53 am:
Hi Ian. Thanks for the message. I’m very jealous of anyone that lives in Durham…its an incredible city. Its amazing coming into Durham by train…the view of the cathedral is one of my favourite views in Britain. Very pleased we have similar design tastes…I hope you like my buildings! Yes…very very very happy about the football at the moment but already getting butterflies about next season! Thanks for watching the show and all your support. George
Carolyne Hawkes
on Jun 14th, 2009
@ 7:17 am:
Hi George,
loved the Home Show I am a real Estate Agent and live in Sydney and am currently trying…. to do up my home, you should come over to Australia soon the public would love you.
Kind regards
Carolyn.
ps let me know if this gets through!
George Clarke
on Jun 15th, 2009
@ 1:30 pm:
Hi Carolyne…I’d love to come to Australia…I’m embarrassed to say that I have never been but I’ve always wanted to visit Sydney. Maybe when my new book comes out next year I can fly over to sign a few copies…any excuse!!!!! Thanks for watching! George x
marc landsberg
on Jun 15th, 2009
@ 6:54 pm:
hi george, really interesting mix of buildings…would love to see more of your lists…
I grew up in east london and while i have not grown up to be an architect i can understand the impact a building can have on you in this formartive period. of course many of the buildings we grew up with in london are sadly no longer there. so anyway my favourite building is the swimming baths in barkingside, east london. like a mini st pauls in green with a hint of post modernist alienism thrown in. its surreal!
all the best
marc
ps youve left build a new life..disaster!! i will miss your “ok youve completely cocked up but ill only hint at how much i want to laugh at you” style…genius!
George Clarke
on Jun 16th, 2009
@ 8:39 am:
Hi Marc…I’ve never seen the Swimming Baths in Barkingside…I’m googling it right now….looks very surreal. I’ll have to pay it a visit. Thanks for watching the show. Yes, its a shame I’m no longer making Build A New Life. I started the series from scratch so it felt like ‘my baby’ to be honest and after 3 series it was hard to walk away. But the move to channel 4 was a great step up the ladder and I’m having the best time making The Home Show (and Restoration Man which comes out in September). Build A New Life has new presenter (he is nowhere near as good but what can you do?…joking!!!!!!!!!!!!!) but I wish all of the ‘Build’ team the best of luck with their new series. Thanks for watching Marc. George
jo dawson
on Jun 25th, 2009
@ 9:44 pm:
Hi George, have just finished watching this weeks programme, really enjoyed it as I do every week.
I do feel for people who struggle with making their house a home, my favourite building is my home. My husband started to convert and old telephone exchange 6 years ago which was a 2 bed house, upper floor woodframe built by my husband. we have subsequently bought more land and developed our home into a family home with 6 bedrooms. We are in sunny essex it has great views over fields with the blackwater in the distance. We are coming to the end of our build now but boy its been a journey. Unfortunantely the original buildings had very few features, with the exception of a commerical vaulted ceiling which is now the main feature in our dining room. and to me gives a wow factor. We have tried to keep the exterior in line with the essex boarded buildings, but inside has a very modern feel.
I love to talk about homes and buildings.
thanks for listening to me ramble on regards jo
George Clarke
on Jun 27th, 2009
@ 7:59 am:
Hi Jo…It sounds like you have created a very beautiful home in a beautiful location. Transforming something that was 2-bedroom into a new 6-bedroom home is a great achievement. It must have been incredibly hard work, but you will now know that all of that hard work is well worth it. Congratulations for having the strength and determination to see it through. Well done! George x
jo dawson
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 7:18 pm:
Hi George, would love to say it was my achievement it is really my husbands if it wasn’t for him having the vision to transform 2 old telephone exchange buildings into a home in the first place we wouldn’t be where we are today, thanks for your reply.
hope you are surviving the heatwave jox
U Bavisi
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 4:21 pm:
George,
Since I was a very young child I have always had a passion for homes which actually started from scouring through an Argos catalogue and imagining how I would set up a house. That passion has (thankfully!) developed to spending hours of my free time looking at designer furniture, fabrics and buildings and and wanting to learn more about designers and their designs.
Your list has inpired me, and I was wondering if you could recommend any books that show the works of the worlds greatest modern architects for me to learn more abou this subject. I have never seen the Barcelona Pavillions but since googling it after reading about it on your website I want to jump on a plane and see it!
All this research has been for my dream house. My husband and I bought this house 6 months ago and now I can finally renovate it to incorporate my style but after years of choosing I find I can’t make a decision as I like the works of Gaudi but also Mies van der Rohe. I love the creative and the technical, I love detail and I love clean lines. I love all types of design so how do I decide what is really me as I don’t want to make costly mistakes?
I’m writing to you as I am absolutely blown away by your show and how you make architure and design accessible to the ordinary folk and I value your style. I’m a total fan!
U.
Denise
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 3:51 am:
George, I caught your previous show on BBC Canada and have become a firm fan. My love of buildings started when I was very young, creating houses out of Lego!
Canada has a similar architectural vibe with what I see on The Home Show, though our buildings aren’t quite as character filled or long-lived as in Europe. Two of my favourite North American architects are Frank Lloyd Wright and Arthur Erickson – The Museum of Anthropology at UBC (University of British Columbia) is one of my all-time favourites. If you get over here for a book signing, I’ll be in the line, LOL
Looking forward to Restoration Man.
Denise, Vancouver Canada
charles shaw
on Jul 27th, 2009
@ 11:23 pm:
Dear George,
After 20 years of teaching, I did a degree in architecture and now design tasteful period house extensions for people with tasteful period houses. I often wonder about the intellectual validity of what I do. My clients love it, the neighbours love it, even the planners are happy with it.
However, as you know the overwhelming view of the architectural profession is against it. ‘Pastiche’ is the usual put-down word for what I do. The key notion in the intellectual armoury of the mainstream is ‘zeitgeist’ – that buildings should reflect the spirit of their times. I tend to think this is a bit of intellectual casuistry – most periods have a plurality of spirits and a plurality of architectural styles – in the Edwardian era the baroque revival for public buildings was as much part of the zeitgeist as the Arts and Crafts houses of the period, which were a harbinger of modernism.
I think my view is that there are horses for courses. If you are building a house on the site of a demolished country house surrounded by eighteenth century parkland, then designing a Palladian house is a valid approach. On the other hand, if you are designing a football stadium or an airport terminal trying to use the architectural language of the Georgian period is barmy.
So what do you think, George? Is there any justification for using historical architectural styles for new building today?
Charles Shaw
Harry Symonds
on Aug 4th, 2009
@ 11:52 am:
Hi George, love the show and I’m always amazed at the transformations achieved. Stunning!
I’ve just bought a plot of land without planning permission (0.11 acres) and I’m thinking along the lines of a single storey, + 3 bed basement,eco friendly new build and really feel nervous about finding the right people to carry out the build.
Any advice?
Keep up the good work which is truly inspiring. H
Gill Laura and Alice
on Aug 6th, 2009
@ 8:53 pm:
Hi George
We have just finished watching your show and think what you do is amazing. Also we are now all a little bit in love with you! xxx
Rosemary
on Aug 7th, 2009
@ 7:43 pm:
Hi George, I love the show, especially how passionate you get about the projects and families you work with. I don’t know much about architecture but I really love the different styles of architecture in the Greek islands. I was wondering if you had ever been to Santorini to see the beautiful buildings especially the cave rooms built into the side of the ‘caldera’ or volcano. We had an amazing holiday there a few years ago.
Just seen that you went to Newcastle University, I was there between 1992 and 1994, and had an amazing time there, I love the North East and often go back there.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
George Clarke
on Aug 9th, 2009
@ 7:28 am:
Hi Rosemary, I was at Newcastle Uni between ‘92 and ‘95 so we were there at the same time. I love the architecture of Greece…very fresh and beautiful. Haven’t been to Santorini but I have been to many of the other islands…you have good taste! George x
George Clarke
on Aug 9th, 2009
@ 7:42 am:
Dear Gill Lauran and Alice….thank you for watching the show…really appreciate it…you’ve made me go slightly red though! lol xxx
charles shaw
on Aug 15th, 2009
@ 8:54 pm:
Harry Symonds:
Your message set alarm bells ringing.
If your 0.11 acre piece of land has n’t got planning permission, can you be confident it will get planning permission? I ask because land with planning permission is usually much more valuable than land without planning permission. Usually the person selling a piece of land will get planning permission before they sell the land, because that way they will get a better price.
If the land does not come with planning permission, the first thing to do is to find out if the local planning authority will give it planning permission, and if so what they will let you build on the site.
I suggest you have an informal chat with a planning officer at the local authority where your site is situated. You could also have a look at their planning policies on their web site. This will give you the general policies by which that authority will decide planning application. (e.g. many will let you build a new house on the garden of an existing house, if the spare space is at the side of the house, but not if it is behind the house (called Tandem Development and considered a Bad Thing).
If you’ve checked things out and know you can get planning permission, I’m sorry for trying to ‘teach you to suck eggs’. Many members of the public think it’s possible to get planning permission on any piece of land. It isn’t.
Sorry, for sticking my oar in, George!
Charles Shaw
Elisa
on Aug 19th, 2009
@ 4:35 am:
Greetings from the west coast of Canada, where we have been getting your show on BBC Canada, and I can’t get enough of it, because it’s long been a fantasy of mine, to help restore an old stone building. The first episode I saw was Terry and Marilyn, and I’ll admit to having been choked up through much of it! Of course, we don’t have very many old stone buildings here, which is one of the reasons I feel drawn to move to the UK…
I loved cathedrals as a child, too – and basically have a lifelong ‘dome & arch’ fetish – did my first big project in middle school on cathedrals. I’ve always been fascinated by how graceful they are, and can’t wait to go explore more of them. Will definitely go see ‘yours’!
Best of luck with the new shows – very much looking forward to them!
xox ~Elisa
Dean Robson (Van-der-Vord)
on Aug 21st, 2009
@ 8:01 pm:
Yo George,
One night while I was watching The Home Show, my Mam told me you were from Washington then five minutes ago I noticed your name on the Washington Wikipedia page.
As an architecture student I know I should not be on Wikipedia haha. I was checking out Lambton Park on Google Earth, then searched for John Lambton, then the Lambton Worm and end up on Washington’s Wikipedia page… that’s my excuse haha
I’ve found myself here and I can’t believe you’ve actually replied to those comments.
Are you actually from Washington? I live in Albany, opposite the F Pit, while I’m not at uni that is.
I am a fan of The Home Show and dare I say it… Grand Designs haha. The looks on your client’s faces’ as you’re drawing the perspectives of your designs is probably my favourite part of the show.
I like you’re top five. I remember my Dad taking me to Durham Cathedral as a much younger boy. I was awe struck by the beautiful detail and grandeur of the interior and as I stood on the top of the cathedral I remember thinking “this is so high if I giant fell off I would fall for ages” haha.
I’ll leave it there I think, I hope you reply, take it easy.
Dean ; )
George Clarke
on Aug 26th, 2009
@ 6:18 am:
Hi Elisa,
How is life in Canada? Never been but was just saying to my wife last night that Canada is top of my list for our next country to visit. Thanks for watching Build A New Life. Terry and Marilyn were fantastic! Its been over 3 years since I made that series but so pleased you are able to see it where you are. Hopefully you will get to see my new series ‘The Home Show’ and ‘Restoration Man’ very soon.
Thanks for your message and keep in touch.
George x
George Clarke
on Aug 26th, 2009
@ 6:26 am:
Hi Dean…Ahhh…the good old F Pit! Do you know how many injuries I got crashing my Raleigh Burner BMX on the bike track next to the F Pit? Those were the days. My mam and dad and sisters live in Blackfell and Lambton. I lived in Washington all my life until moving to London in 1996 so I know the place like the back of my hand. I used to hand out in Albany alot!!! I try and get back as much as possible to see everyone. Where are you studying architecture??? George
annalise
on Aug 27th, 2009
@ 11:36 am:
hi george,
my name is annalise clark. I am nearly eleven and I really want to be a
famous architect when I’m older!
Your top 5 buildings are really something!!! I have to say, you have really
good taste. When I go to college and uni I am definately study architecture and hopefully achieve as much as you do.
annalisex
p.s. I can’t wait until you bring your new series of the home show out!
I’ve watched all of them so far!!!!!!
Emily
on Aug 30th, 2009
@ 2:44 am:
Hi George,
Having just looked at your top 5 buildings I thought I would tell you about Las Lajas Cathedral in Colombia, you should google it if you haven’t already seen it, it’s amazing! I have always loved architecture even though I’m not an architect myself. (I’m studying Psychology)
I love the shows that you have done and look forward to seeing the new one soon.
Take Care
Emily.
Molly and Jade
on Oct 9th, 2009
@ 7:04 pm:
Hi George Its us again
Our favourite building is the Barcelona Pavilion. Molly remembers seeing it for the first time on Grand Designs about a year ago and thinking that design went downhill from there (ie sixties – eurgh) and now people are going for the contemporary, sleek clean lined glass filled designs. The Pavilion is just so beautiful and and we can’t believe how it was designed in 1929! Unbelievable! x
Emma
on Oct 24th, 2009
@ 11:17 am:
Hi George,
Just wanted to say how much i love the Home Show, I discovered it by accident a few weeks ago and now i cant get enough of it. Its great to see someone so passionate about what they do! Only wish I had some spare money for you to come and sort my place out. Think your Fab!! Emma.x
Nick
on Oct 27th, 2009
@ 9:12 pm:
Hi george!
I’m actually at the age of 14 and Only a few months ago did my mum realised that i was very interested at building and thought I could become an architect when i was older. Usually i say how we could make our house look better or even when i see a house that my mum says she likes I say how we could make it better. I’ll have to look at some of your top 5!
Melanie Hickey
on Nov 3rd, 2009
@ 3:41 pm:
Hi George
I love the programme, ‘though I wish I didn’t start crying each time I see you watery-eyed!
I live in the Costa del Sol and I’m a PR consultant. I lot of my work is in the property sector (for developers of residential resorts) however I am dismayed to see what has happened here. We have the benefit of fabulous views and wonderful light yet instead of creating an environment of awe inspiring beauty we have too many ugly apartment blocks (sitting empty I might add) and a lot of unsightly mess left behind by construction companies.
The Marbella region is my home and I want to be proud of it. In fact I would like to play a part in reviving its glamour and cache by encouraging change while promoting the best in class – whether it be the best restaurants, clubs or, more importantly, residential resorts.
Far be it for me to ask you to ‘white out’ the Costa del Sol but I might garner your support in some way for my campaign to ‘makeover Marbella’. Spain should stand for good living. I have the raw ingredients – the development and the protagonists – can we get you involved?
Best wishes
Melanie
paulina bass
on Dec 23rd, 2009
@ 1:30 am:
i live in a three bedroom mid terrace ‘wates’ home built 6 years ago placed a stones throw from the town center.but the design does not allow enough light in and is socially divisive. we do not have enough storage,every room is cluttered and does not fulfill our needs.we love living in the town center but feel very enclosed and unable to entertain and the boys feel awkward to invite friends over.please please help me cos i want to love my home but increasingly feel depressed about living here.
teri mcleod
on Dec 27th, 2009
@ 6:37 pm:
hi George..so pleased you have your own website..I’m such a huge fan..I saw only the back end of an episode of yours whilst I was back in the Uk this summer..and loved it..I was dying for more..but as I live in Uganda now, it was going to be one of those things that i just missed!..you get used to it being an ex-pat…but suprise suprise..youve popped up there on BBC lifestyle….thanks to DSTV…and wow was I not dissapointed…I sometimes had tears in my eyes when you ‘revealed’ what you had done to peoples homes…amazing! and also a little bit jealous!
now I am in the position of just taking ownership of a typical and traditional victorian house in Jesmond, Newcastle ..for my return to the Uk in 2011 with my two boys..and boy do we need help with it…its a beautiful house but I know it could be so much better..I want it to be so much better..but it overwhelmes me to think of where I even start…
any ideas…or can you point me in the right direction?
ps…love your top 5…but only 5??
Cherryl Cunningham
on Jan 5th, 2010
@ 4:31 am:
Hi George,
I have started watching ‘The Home Show’ on the Lifestyle Channel in New Zealand, its the best thing on TV!!! I’m addicted to home makeovers and your show is by far the best I have seen!!! I noted you may be looking for an excuse to go to Sydney in the earlier posts, if you decide to….please make the extra trip across the ditch to NZ, we’d love to see you here! I can’t wait for the next episode of ‘The Home Show’……keep up the great work.
George Clarke
on Jan 28th, 2010
@ 10:42 am:
Hi Cherryl…I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand. It looks like such a beautiful place. I have relatives there too. My uncle, Stuart Dunbar, used to play football for Dunedin…although that was some time ago…as soon as I get the chance I’ll be there! Thanks for watching! George x