In Spain, Dermot travels to Catalonia, and just beyond. He talks to the ex-Mayor of Barcelona, Joan Clos, to learn about Barcelona’s historical, and recent award-winning, urban design. He gains access, for the first time ever, to one Gaudi-designed apartment. And he meets homeowners to discuss what inspired them to create their most unusual and breathtaking houses.
In Scotland, Dermot takes the high road (and also takes the low road,) to explore Scottish architecture. From Edinburgh to Glasgow, from the Isle of Skye to the Highlands, Dermot discovers that mother nature plays a huge part in Scottish design.
From an 800-year-old castle to the sustainable and customized kit houses on the Isle of Skye, from the quirkiest house in Edinburgh to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald’s Hill House, Scotland is bursting with incredible historical and contemporary architecture.
Episode 1: Spain
In this episode of “Dermot Bannon’s Incredible Homes”, Dermot travels to Catalonia, and just beyond, to explore the architecture and to see how peoples’ homes can influence their lifestyles.
First up, Dermot travels to the Matarraña Forest, for what has to be one of the most beautifully designed houses he has ever visited. Christian Bourdais had a dream to create an architectural theme park, and Solo House (designed by Office KGDVS) is the second completed holiday home on this 250-acre site.
From here he travels to Barcelona to explore the streets and buildings. He talks to Joan Clos, who was mayor of Barcelona for eight years. Clos won a RIBA gold medal for his celebrated urban design.
Dermot has the honour and pleasure of stepping inside one of Gaudi’s incredible apartments in Casa Milà. Owned by the Gaudi Trust, this is the first time Tere Iglasias Rovira, who was born here 72 years ago and has lived here all her life, has allowed cameras into her home. Dermot discovers a nest of Gaudi delights.
An hour from Barcelona is the medieval town of Olot, where Dermot meets Michelin star chef Fina Puigdevall and her three daughters. He visits their home, Horizon House, and their restaurant. Designed by architects RCR, Dermot is wowed by the structure of Horizon House (lined entirely by corten steel and glass). But is even more wowed by what is inside.
Dermot doesn’t have to travel too far to his next house. Owned and designed by Arnaud Verjés, Retina House was supposed to be a summer retreat for Arnaud, his wife and his young family but during the lockdown, they decided to make it their permanent home.
Finally, Dermot heads to the coast and visits Begur. Here he meets Perry Cantarutti and Alvaro Megias, who show him around their breathtaking coastal house.