RIBA Award Winners 2013 Announced

Several new and renovated house designs have won RIBA awards.

The prestigious awards, which are presented annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects, were announced yesterday evening.

One-off houses often dominate the awards but this year only three have been selected, compared with nine in 2012 and 17 in 2011.

Nevertheless, the three one-off designs celebrated in this year’s awards are strikingly different.

What’s more, they display plenty of good ideas for anyone who would like their self build or renovation project to reflect the very latest in contemporary design.

Slip House, Brixton, London
Architect: Carl Turner Architects Photographer: Tim Crocker

This extraordinary house is inserted into a row of traditional Victorian houses. Its three stories cantilever towards the street, each ‘slipping’ over the one below. The translucent cladding makes the building glow at night and the internal detailing is immaculate.

I like this building because it is quirky, thoughtful and original. I would love to know how local residents and planning officers feel about its impact on the street, which has had its character permanently changed by this beautiful blue alien that has landed amongst them.

Crowbrook, Hertfordshire
Architect: Knox Bhavan Architects Photographer: Dennis Gilbert

This house sits quietly in a conservation area in a Hertfordshire village.

It is in no way traditional in its design, yet with its flat roofs and large areas of glazing it is a modest and low-key house from the outside.

Astely Castle
Architect: Witherford Watson Mann Architects Client: The Landmark Trust Photographer: Helene Binet

The Landmark Trust owned the ruins of a 12^th century fortified manor and it has been used as the starting point for a vast overhaul, resulting in a contemporary upside-down house.

The bedrooms are now on the ground floor with an open plan living space above, to take advantage of the views over the ruins and nearby gardens.

The new building respects its venerable surroundings but is still uncompromisingly modern.

Many precious old buildings are condemned to dereliction and decay because planning departments and heritage officers refuse to allow this kind of transformation. So top marks to the official who had the courage to allow it to happen, as well as the team that designed and built it.

Click here to see the full list of RIBA Award winners.