VISION 37 — THE BLOCK 2016
Is there a formula that really keeps the program
bubbling along and fresh?
The formula is what it is, whether it’s two bedrooms,
three bedrooms, whatever, the formula of the show
stays how it is. What keeps it bubbly and fresh? Really
it’s a function of the buildings environment. We could
be in a converted old industrial office building which
we are right now. We could be in four cottages, as we
were six years ago. Really, it’s about finding new
typologies, new building typologies, interesting places
to be, whether that’s both in the building itself or in
the location. That comes back to aspirational suburbs
to live in. Where do people want to live? Do they want
to come in to the city area? Do they want to be in a
village? All these things. That’s part of keeping it
bubbly and exciting as much as choice of contestants.
Do you have other architects coming up to you
saying, “Julian, this isn’t a bad gig. If you ever get tired
of it, look, here’s my number?”
Most people don’t realise there is an architect behind
the scenes, helping out. That’s not a traditional role
for an architect to sit in on a TV show, even if it’s
behind the scenes. When it comes down to it really,
I am doing exactly what an architect would do, which
is to provide space. I do the planning of the space and
the fundamental role is to make it saleable. It’s one of
the cornerstones of the whole show that we’re dealing
with real property. We’re not building sets. It’s not
ticky-tacky, you know it doesn’t get demolished next
week and we make way for 20 apartments. These are
real properties in the legal sense and they’re sold in
the real market, and someone is going to be living in
this and it was done in the show. That’s absolutely
extraordinary. That doesn’t happen just anywhere.