Glasgow-based McInnes Gardner Architects has won the Sunday Times British Homes Awards competition to design a low-cost, three-bedroom volume house type
The contest, part of the wider British Homes Awards 2015 programme, was backed by the AJ in our search for innovative solutions to the nation’s housing crisis.
The competition was also supported by aircrete block manufacturer H+H, the BRE and housebuilder Redrow, which is now in discussions with McInnes Gardner Architects about developing a prototype.
The practice’s barn-like Arc House features a ‘curvaceous roof and timber cladding’, and is described as a ‘template for volume housing within planned new garden cities around London.
Senior partner at the practice Alastair MacIntyre said: ‘The main feature of the design is the arching roof which dominates the geometry of the house. The roof coating is made of a metallic zinc to reflect more daylight, enhancing a brighter street environment, although many variations could be considered, perhaps even synthetic thatch.
‘I wanted to get away from the typical rectangular solution, to create something softer and more romantic, but perhaps less efficient in terms of volume.
He added: ‘After all, most people who appreciate a house don’t actually live there. And I was keen to create a sense of privacy and openness.’
The judging panel, chaired by Robert Adam of Adam Architecture, included AJ editorial director Paul Finch, BRE chief executive Peter Bonfield, British Institute of Interior Design president Dan Hopward and architect Lynne Sullivan. Adam did not judge in two categories as his practice was involved in the Best development for the over-55s and One-off house or extension over 5,000 sq ft categories.
Winners in the awards’ built categories were Maccreanor Lavington/AHMM’s William Street Quarter project, which won best affordable housing development, and Patel Taylor’s Luke Allsopp Square, which won the over-55s housing category.
Homes for Britain design contest: Winner
Arc House by McInnes Gardner Architects
Homes for Britain design contest: Runners-up
The Hundred Year Home by CF Møller
The Garden Villa by Emrys Architects
Growing Home by waparchitects
Hanging Gardens House by Somorjay Talliss
Almond Place by Rodney Black Design Studios
Interior design
Winner One Tower Bridge by Honky Interior Design & Architecture for Berkeley Homes South East London
Commended
- Nevern Square Apartment by Daniele Petteno Architecture
- Private residence Hampstead by Honky Interior Design & Architecture
- Morgan House + Regency Mews by Stride Treglown for Taylor Wimpey Central London
One-off-house or extension - up to 2,500 sq ft
Winner Sandpath by Adrian James Architects
Commended
- London Art de Vivre by Sophie Nguyen Architects
- Crowsport by LA Hally Architect
One-off-house or extension - 2,500 - 5,000 sq ft
Winner Broombank by SOUP Architects
Commended
- Wandsworth House by Boon Brown Architects
- Hatfield Road by Richard Dudzicki Associates
- The Pavilion by E2 Architecture + Interiors
- Pear Tree House by Edgley Design
One-off-house or extension - over 5,000 sq ft
Winner Bighton Grange by ADAM Architecture
Commended
- Flint House by Skene Catling de la Peña
- 3A Spencer Park by MG Architects
- 092 by Verity & Beverley
Best house design - up to 50 houses
Winner The Byfield by Goddard Littlefair for St James Group
Winner The Highfield by Redrow Homes
Commended
- Nautica by Pennyfarthing Homes
- The Stanley by Core Design for PH Property Holdings
Best house design - over 50 houses
Winner Oakgrove Village by Gardner Stewart Architects for Crest Nicholson
Best housing project
Winner Creekside Wharf by Assael Architecture
Commended
- Vista by Scott Brownrigg
- Agar Grove by Hawkins\Brown with Mæ Architects and Grant Associates
- Manhattan Loft Gardens by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
- The Acre, Cumnor Hill by John Pardey Architects
Development of the year - up to 25 houses
Winner Asquith by Chassay & Last for Landview Properties
Winner The Firs, Wimbledon Hill Park: John Thompson & Partners for Berkeley Homes
Commended
- Trinity Church Terrace by Peter Powlesland Architects with A&Q
- Macaulay Road by Squire & Partners
- Slalely Village by Hub Architecture
Development of the year - 26-100 houses
Winner St. Irvyne’s by FBB Architects for Countryside
Commended
- Royal Connaught Park by Plus Architecture
- Carter’s Quay by Metropolis PD/ ArchTech
Development of the year - over 100 houses
Winner One Tower Bridge by Squire & Partners
Winner St Michael’s & Bure Place by Hopkins Homes
Commended
- Bath Riverside by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios with Alison Brooks Architects
- Baylis Old School by Conran + Partners
- The Eagle by Farrells
Best development for the over-55s
Winner Luke Allsopp Square by Patel Taylor Architects
Commended
- Audley Binswood by Quad Projects
- Church View by ADAM Architecture
Affordable housing development
Winner William Street Quarter by Maccreanor Lavington/Allford Hall Monaghan Morris - London Borough Barking & Dagenham
Commended
- Vaudeville Court, Islington by Levitt Bernstein
- The Paddocks & Old Common Mews by Lovell
Best mixed-use development
Winner Spring Mews by The Manser Practice
Winner Advocate’s Close by Morgan McDonnell Architecture
Commended
- The Bloom by Penoyre & Prasad
- The Filaments by Rolfe Judd
- The Scene by Pollard Thomas Edwards
Best apartment building
Winner One Smithfield Square by MWA+D and Ryder Architecture for Muse Developments
Commended
- 110 at The Quay by Stride Treglown for Crest Nicholson
- Riverlight by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners for St James Group
- The Aura Building by TateHindle for Countryside
Conversion, restoration or refurbishment of existing building(s)
Winner Hop House by Brimelow McSweeney Architects
Winner The Barns at Lynch Farm by Jeremy King Architects
Winner Hulme Hall by Core Design
Commended
- Brentford Magistrates Court and Market Place by Paul Murphy Architects
- The Old Library by TateHindle
- Morgan House + Regency Mews by Stride Treglown
- Royal Connaught Park by Plus Architecture
Housebuilder of the year
Winner Berkeley Homes
Architect of the year
Winner Squire & Partners
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