Following a sold-out 2026 tour, Grand Designs' legendary host Kevin McCloud and comedian and self-confessed architecture nerd Tim Ross are returning with another run of live shows. Once again, the design-obsessed duo aren't just taking over any stage that will have them. Instead, they're embarking on an unlikely architectural road trip, popping up across Australia and New Zealand in thought-provoking spaces to discuss the places we live and those we could create. On the back of their ongoing podcast series, Tim and Kev's Big Design Adventure, McCloud and Ross will regale audiences with tales of modernist marvels, utopian visions and design-fuelled banter. And to matters even more interesting, some of the locations they'll appear include Ballarat's 1870 Founders Hall, Oberon's Malachi Gilmore Hall and the Clubbe Hall at Frensham School in Mittagong. "When a podcast listener writes in with an invitation to visit their Art Deco theatre in central NSW, it's only polite to say yes," says Ross. "And before you know it, a tour starts taking shape. Kevin's coming all the way from the UK, so I thought we should show him a bit more of the country than airport lounges." Prior to the 2026 tour, the pair presented two sold-out Sydney Opera House shows in 2019, with audiences relishing the optimistic conversation, lively debate, laughter and unexpected detours. "What makes great architecture is remarkably universal," says McCloud. "It's about responding intelligently to climate and understanding people's needs while capturing the energy of a place. I'm fascinated by how those principles play out in Australia's cities and regional communities, and what we might learn from one another." 2027 Tour Dates: Adelaide: Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28 at Scott Theatre, Adelaide University Melbourne: Tuesday, March 2 at Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University Ballarat: Wednesday, March 3 at 1870 Founders Hall, Federation University Auckland: Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7 at Fisher & Paykel Auditorium, University of Auckland Newcastle: Wednesday, March 10 at The Great Hall, University of Newcastle Oberon: Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13 at Malachi Gilmore Hall Southern Highlands: Sunday, March 14 at Clubbe Hall, Frensham School, Mittagong Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox. Top image: Alexander Mayes.
