Start your Free Trial:

Architecture & design documentaries

Get inspired by some must-see documentaries on architectural, product and graphic design. From the hidden architecture of Roman Italy to the design used for some of the world's best-known brands, BBC Select looks at the influence of design and architecture throughout history. If you live in the US or Canada, you can watch the best design and architecture documentaries.

A Grand Royal Design

A grand royal design

For over a decade, Prince (now King) Charles oversaw the ambitious restoration of Dumfries House, a rundown 18th century stately home in one of the UK’s most deprived areas. As this intimate documentary shows, his goal was to instill hope and pride into a struggling community. Filmed over ten years, see the Princes’ painstaking journey to renovate a lost building and help those around.

Inside the Tower of London

Inside The Tower of London

The Tower of London has stood at the center of British history for nearly 1000 years. This fascinating history documentary series explores the incredible stories and goes behind closed doors to see what keeps the Tower functioning today. How was the Tower built? Who were the famous people to have walked through its gates? And meet the fascinating figures who keep the Tower running.

Inside Balmoral

Since Queen Victoria first acquired it in 1852, the British royal family have found solace at Balmoral. This enormous private estate in the Scottish Highlands is where monarchs have holidayed, hidden, plotted, and played.

The inside view of this secretive sanctuary reveals some of the extraordinary features found at Balmoral and the tales of intrigue involve the figures who have resided there.

Grand Designs

Watch Grand Designs S16 on BBC Select

Presenter Kevin McCloud follows some of Britain’s most ambitious self-building projects, as intrepid individuals attempt to design and construct the home of their dreams. Unfortunately, these dreams often turn into nightmares as strained budgets, building regulations, family emergencies, botched construction and terrible weather conditions conspire to derail their projects.

The Queen's Palaces

Stream the Queen's Palaces on BBC Select

Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. From Henry VIII to Harry and Meghan, these buildings have been part of British royal history for hundreds of years.

Fiona Bruce tells the story of these amazing places in this majestic BBC royal documentary.

What secrets lurk in the long history of the Queen’s Palaces and what treasures can be discovered within their walls?