‘Disgusted’ Grand Designs viewers all have the same complaint about House of the Year special

GRAND Designs viewers were left “disgusted” on Wednesday night after a stunning home failed to make it through to the House of the Year shortlist.

In a collection of special episodes, presenter Kevin McCloud and a slew of experts visit the spectacular homes competing for the 2022 RIBA House of the Year.

However, Grand Designs viewers were left disappointed on Wednesday night as the Royal Institute of British Architects failed to put through fan favourite home Parchment Works to the next round of House of the Year. 

During the instalment, the episode looked at five homes that have had incredible transformations using “existing structures”. 

And it was Parchment Works, located in a Northamptonshire village, that stole viewers’ hearts as the property had originally been a ruined 16th century paper factory. 

Owners Charlie and Jane explained how when they had bought the grade-II listed property, it had been a “crumbling mess” with collapsed floors, rotten windows and no ceiling.

Thankfully, the couple had their architect son Will on hand to help deliver a “radical transformation” on the empty property.

The family were able to extend the building using glass walls, which created a patchwork between the old stonework and bricks.

Will explained that he wanted to strike the “right balance” on the building of making it “habitable” and “liveable” whilst also retaining the historic value of it.

And the architect stayed true to his word as original period features such as lime paint splashed on one wall and rusty nails in another were kept.

While an archaeologist was also on hand to monitor the renovation and check nothing was unearthed of any value, which they did as an ancient stone bath was discovered.

However, despite both presenter Kevin and the Royal Institute of British Architects being impressed by the “beautiful” property, it was snubbed from the next round of House of the Year  — with Dutch Barn and Mews House selected instead.

Disappointed viewers were quick to react to the snub as they claimed that Parchment Works had been “robbed”.

Taking to Twitter, one person said: “Disgusted this was not shortlisted. Nothing more to say.”

A different account put: “It was robbed!! @granddesigns come on” with a series of shocked emojis.

Another follower wrote: “Disagreed last week, disgusted this week. Parchment House not through!”

While a different viewer added: “The two shortlisted were okay, but how the ex parchment factory didn’t make the final I will never know. By far and away the most appealingly lovable space.”

Grand Designs: House of the Year started earlier this month and features the 20 projects competing to be crowned 2022 RIBA House of the Year.

Over the four-week series, seven houses will be shortlisted for the award and the winner will be announced in the final episode.

The expert jury members tasked with selecting the RIBA House of the Year 2022 are Taro Tsuruta, Alison Brooks, Yinka Ilori, Ben Ridley and Nicola Tikari.

Grand Designs: House of the Year continues on Wednesday 30 November at 9pm on Channel 4.