Restoration warrior

Mar 21 2010 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

ARCHITECT George Clarke has a passion for old and unusual buildings.

Sunderland-born George, said to be the world’s first sex symbol architect, presents Restoration Man on Channel Four.

The series is about restoring old treasures, such as mills, into family homes.

George, a veteran of the station’s The Home Show, travels the country offering advice to owners in need of his expertise.

He says it is as much about the people as it is about the buildings.

He said: “I think the biggest thing I learned is that architecture isn’t just about buildings.

“Architecture, and our architectural history, is all about people.

“Without these restoration warriors, we don’t have anything. Buildings are for people.

“What I loved about this was that these people have such a passion for Britain’s architectural history.

“They saw themselves as custodians for future generations, which is amazing in this materialistic age. They just wanted to save the buildings for future generations. I love that, I find it really quite humbling.” The 39-year-old, whose enthusiasm and candour indicate he must have been popular in his stint as a university lecturer, said he is enthralled by buildings.

He said: “It’s a way of life for me, it’s not even a job. I just love it, whether I’m drawing buildings, photographing buildings, sketching buildings or visiting buildings with my kids.

“When you think about it, architecture is everywhere, whether you’re sitting at your desk at work or whether you’re on holiday, or in your own home, at your parents’ house. For me it’s just, sadly, all-encompassing.”

While he’s enjoying his celebrity status, George says it was not something he pursued.

He said: “The university asked if I would write a book on architecture so I went and got an agent and three or four days later she said, ‘Do you want to be on telly?

“I get letters from guys going, ‘Look, mate, I want to change my house and my wife’s doing my head in. Can you look at my plan and let me know what to do.’

“And there’s the women who probably don’t even care that I’m an architect whatsoever and turn up at live events and throw the odd thing on stage that they probably shouldn’t.

“I kind of feel like Tom Jones when that happens.”

RESTORATION MAN, Channel Four, today, 9pm.