When comedian and design enthusiast Tim Ross first performed at the University of Western Australia's Octagon Theatre two decades ago, his focus was squarely on comedy and the post-show pub plans. The building's pioneering Shakespearean-style thrust stage architecture wasn't on his radar.
"I was just having a good time," Ross admits, reflecting on those early days of his career.
But when he returns to the iconic venue in February 2026 with his friend and fellow design communicator Kevin McCloud, the building itself will be a central character. Ross has deliberately chosen the Octagon Theatre as the Perth stop for their live show, 'Live in Interesting Places', hailing it as one of the city's best-designed buildings.
A Personal Tour of Perth's Built Environment
The duo are touring Australia following the success of their podcast, 'Big Design Adventure'. While the live show promises an evening of stories and laughter, it's also an extension of their mission to explore how our built environment shapes our lives.
"Part of the idea of the tour is me being a host for Kevin and being able to show off Perth and introduce him to the Perth I know and love, through the people and the architecture and that extraordinary 1960s university campus theatre," Ross explains.
For McCloud, best known as the long-time host of the UK's Grand Designs, having Ross as a guide is a privilege. "The great privilege about going anywhere in the company of somebody who's from that place, or knows it really well, is that you have a sort of personal tour guide," he says.
The pair plan to arrive in Perth days before their performance to immerse themselves in the city. Ross has curated a design-focused itinerary for McCloud, which includes a visit to the famous Iwan Iwanoff-designed Marsala House in Dianella.
"By the time we get into the venue and we meet people, I'll feel, hopefully, that a bit of the city has rubbed off on me," McCloud adds.
The 'Q-Word': Championing Quality for Everyone
While neither Ross nor McCloud are architects, both have become influential voices on housing and design in their respective countries. Their conversation moves beyond aesthetics, focusing on how our surroundings impact our wellbeing.
In an era of housing affordability crises, discussing multi-million dollar dream homes might seem out of touch. However, McCloud is a passionate advocate for what he calls "the Q-word" – Quality – in all public infrastructure and housing, not just luxury builds.
He references a former editor of the UK's Architects' Journal: "'There are probably four big pillars on which society is built that we judge previous generations by. And one is social care, one is medical care, one is education, and one is housing,'" McCloud recounts. "'If we don't get those right... then we are lost.'"
McCloud believes that for decades, society has lost its way on this front. Ross argues Australia faces a similar struggle, particularly in new suburban developments.
"Our new developments are still holding on to the worst ideas of the 1950s," Ross states. "I look at houses today, new suburban homes, and they take the worst of the Australian dream from the late 1940s and 1950s... They really bear no resemblance to the best bits of the homes in the past. And that's a real shame."
Design as a Glimpse of the Future
McCloud makes no apologies for showcasing expensive, cutting-edge technology on Grand Designs. He sees it as a window into our collective future.
"I'm never going to apologise for showing people an example which might be really expensive, unusual, which might have some tech in it... but actually shows us the future," he says.
He points to innovations like stick-on solar panels, which were once exclusive to high-end projects but are becoming more accessible. "That kind of stuff isn't cheap, and it's rare, but on the other hand, it is what's coming down the line for all of us."
The strength of Ross and McCloud's partnership lies in translating high-end architectural concepts for a broad audience. They insist you don't need to be a design expert to enjoy their show—just someone curious about the places we inhabit.
"They're going to have a laugh and they are going to learn something," Ross says of their audience. "I think they'll feel some pride in where they live. And let's talk about Perth: we will be reflecting some of the great buildings and some of the great ideas that are bubbling away in your wonderful part of the world."
The ultimate goal is to encourage people to look at familiar buildings, like the Octagon Theatre, with a renewed sense of appreciation and curiosity.
'Live in Interesting Places' with Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud will be held at The Octagon Theatre, UWA, on February 5, 2026.
