Ep 13. Revisited - Amersham: The Water Tower

Revisited - Amersham: The Water Tower is the 13th episode of the first season of Grand Designs. This episode is a revisit of a unique water tower conversion project in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. The project was initially featured on the 4th episode of the season.

The episode follows the journey of Leigh Osborne and Graham Voce, an entrepreneurial couple who decided to transform an abandoned water tower into their dream home. The tower's location in the rolling hills of Buckinghamshire presented unique challenges for the couple, as their ambitious design needed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

The water tower has a rich history, having supplied water to the town of Amersham for over a century. The couple's vision was to breathe new life into this historic structure, while preserving its character and charm. They enlisted the help of renowned architect, Tom Gresford, to help make their dream a reality.

The episode is full of drama, as the couple faced huge obstacles in converting the water tower into a beautiful living space. The tower's narrow, circular shape presented a significant challenge in creating spacious, livable rooms. The tower's four levels had to be cleverly designed to accommodate the couple's living spaces, including a guest room, a home office, and a top-floor sitting room with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Throughout the episode, host Kevin McCloud speaks with the couple and their architects about the design challenges they faced and the solutions they came up with. We see how they worked tirelessly to fit in all the fixtures and fittings required to make the tower a comfortable home. The couple's love for the project is evident, as they pour their hearts into every aspect of the build.

Revisited - Amersham: The Water Tower is a beautiful and inspiring episode that shows the dedication, passion, and creativity required to convert an unusual, historic structure into a modern, luxurious, and unique home. This episode is an excellent example of Grand Designs' ability to tell the stories of extraordinary individuals and their remarkable architectural achievements.