Chris Moller on Grand Designs' highly anticipated return

Chris Moller
Chris Moller

Grand Designs NZ is returning for its second season this Sunday night following hugely successful first series being picked up in six other countries.

Fronted by Kiwi architecture enthusiast Chris Moller, the programme is a reimagining of the original show hosted by Kevin McCloud - but Moller says he's not trying to emulate his British counterpart.

"I have huge respect for Kevin McCloud - he's an amazing entertainer, an incredibly capable communicator and deeply knowledgeable about the built environment - but I'm not any of those things, I'm the opposite," he said.

Moller is probably the only person that thinks that statement's true; in reality, he matches McCloud in passion, he's just as engaging a speaker, and he knows architecture inside out - but in Grand Designs NZ, Moller does all those things in his own distinct, Kiwi way.

"I knew when I was really, really small [that I loved architecture], because I just loved making things - I wanted to be a kind of inventor architect since I was one or two-years-old," he said.

He says many of his differences with McCloud are a natural result of the dissimilarities between England and New Zealand.

"We have a different landscape than the UK, we're also quite different culturally - we're quite relaxed, laidback, informal," he said.

"There is a kind of special grittiness and a strong do-it-yourself culture that is still very much alive here.

"But that varies greatly, and every individual [on Grand Designs NZ] is exploring and is impacted by this land, this sky, this sea - which, in itself, is immensely diverse."

However, Moller recognises that the DIY culture has its limits - especially for those who aren't in a financial position to design and build their own homes from scratch.

But despite the people embarking on some of these projects being among the wealthiest in New Zealand, Moller says viewers will still be able to relate to those on the show.

"I think every human being has an environment around them, even if they're living on the streets," he said.

"Some people live in boats, some live in caravans, some live in tents - I've done all of things, and your sense of space is no worse than if you live in a huge mansion.

"It's not just that it's the top one percent or whatever, but it's more that you're seeing the process from beginning to end - and you're seeing, in a very tangible way, all the skills involved."

The second season of Grand Designs NZ premieres on TV3 at 8:30pm on Sunday.

Newshub.