TV architect who believes good things come in small packages

It’s easy to see what has propelled architect George Clarke to small screen stardom: the gentle Sunderland accent, passion for design, knowledge of construction and a Northern propensity to tell it like it is.

He is unafraid to voice an opinion even if it flies in the face of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ campaign for national minimum space standards for new homes.

Right now, George is fired up about the possibilities for small spaces. Rather than insist developers provide more, he feels they should be creative with less.

His argument is that many first-time buyers want to live and work in cities, where land is at a premium and prices high. Compact studio flats would be more affordable.

“The value is in the quality of the space and it is incredible what you can do with one room,” he says.

“There is one company that makes storage walls with pop-out dining tables and beds that pull down from the ceiling. It’s really clever.”

He will be revealing plenty of good examples of what you can do with minimal square footage in the second series of Amazing Spaces, which starts on Thursday.

The book that accompanies the programme is also out next week and features inspirational and sometimes eccentric living areas, “shoffices”, retreats and businesses, with tips on how to create your own.

The appeal is that these structures are quirky and often home-made on tight budgets. There are sheds and pods along with converted buses, caravans and shipping containers plus George’s personal favourite, the tree tent.

Mechanical and architectural engineer Jason Thurley was inspired by spherical tree houses in Canadian woodland. His version, made from canvas, aluminium and wood, is suspended by ropes rigged into the trees and sways in the wind. His ambition is to create more of the eco-friendly holiday homes so people can enjoy the healing power of forests.

“It is so inventive and he has launched his own business, Luminair, on the back of it, which is great,” says George.

The new series features Huddersfield-based Caroline and Xavier who create a mobile creperie in a Citroen HY Van. The biggest hurdle is fitting everything into 4 x 5 metres of space, though they pull it off with typical French flair.

“What people like about the programme is that the projects are small scale and affordable. Most aren’t main homes, which means no-one’s hung up on saleability so they are much more playful and adventurous with the design, says George, who created his own Amazing Space for the last series.

He succeeded in turning a semi-derelict static caravan into a fabulous, contemporary holiday home in the Lake District, which is now used by family and friends.

In this series he is making a treehouse, though not for himself, as “it would be too self-indulgent”.

“I can’t say too much but it’s for a disabled children’s charity in Northumberland and it’s brilliant. It’s been far more enjoyable than creating something for myself. In fact, it’s the best thing I have ever done.”

His other proud achievement came after The Great British Property Scandal programmes, which highlighted the number of empty homes in Britain. The Government was spurred into offering loans for owners to improve and let abandoned houses.

“The Government’s loan fund has reduced the number of empty homes from 350,000 to 320,000 in two years. It’s not a huge amount but it’s a start and it has reversed the trend,” says George.

“What’s happened has been a dream come true and the TV programme really helped.”

Telly now takes up most his time and his diary for the next couple of years is full of filming schedules. It’s still something of a surprise for someone who was shy at school and his former classmates still can’t believe he is a TV presenter.

What gave him the confidence to have a go was his knowledge of the subject. He grew up in Sunderland, where his grandfathers were builders, so he understands construction and is happy to get his hands dirty.

After studying architecture at Newcastle University, he did a post-graduate course at University College London and stayed in the capital, where he has his own company, George Clarke and Partners.

“I am full of passion for architecture,” he says. “ So whether I’m filming it, talking about it, designing it or teaching it, I’m happy.”

Amazing Spaces: Read all about it

Amazing Spaces, series two, starts on Thursday on Channel 4 at 8pm for eight weeks.

George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces is published on Thursday by Quadrille, £20. It showcases spaces from the first and second series, explaining how each build was achieved. They include a beach hut that serves as a lounge, kitchen and sleeping area; a fishing shack by the side of a lake; a tiny 250 sq ft apartment in Barcelona that explores the possibilities of a confined space plus George’s favourite tree tent in a Welsh forest.

The book also depicts the renovation of an Airstream and a VW camper van.

There are “how to” guides for those who fancy creating their own amazing space.