Best Houses from the RIBA House Awards Contest

Blackbird by Lyons Architects with Hamish Herford

Situated in the peaceful Cotswolds, the Blackbird house was created for a couple with an interest in gardening and art. The entrance to the home, small and earthy, sharply transitions into a spacious area that creates a sense of wonder and admiration.

SNUG House on Forest Road by Ecomotive

Located right in the heart of Bristol, the SNUG house is a sustainable pearl occupying just 44 sq m. This home not only challenges traditional norms of urban living but also offers an innovative and cost-effective solution in housing design.

Threefold House by Knox Bhavan Architects

Located in Teddington, the Threefold House demonstrates how architectural skill can transform an irregular and unused plot into a beautiful space. Hidden from the street, this house offers three green courtyards that provide lots of light, good ventilation, and mesmerizing views of the land. The unassuming street facade only hints at the dynamic and well-thought-out architecture inside.

Hidden House by Hall + Bednarczyk Architects Ltd

Cut into the slope of Herefordshire, the Hidden House offers panoramic views over the Brecon Beacons. Modern architecture harmoniously blends with traditional elements, creating a cozy retreat in a rural setting. This work of art uses retaining systems to create a boundary between the land and the house, as if the home is being absorbed into the earth.

Saltmarsh House by Niall McLaughlin Architects

Located on White Island, Saltmarsh House embodies architectural precision and sustainability. Inspired by Victorian greenhouses, the modern design offers unobstructed views of the Bembridge harbour, making it a pinnacle of tranquility and majestic architecture.

Southwark Brick House by Satish Jassal Architects

Situated on a challenging brownfield site in Southwark, this buried three-bedroom house made of brick and timber pays homage to innovative design. The foundation sunk one floor below ground level turns spatial limitations into a unique architectural feature.

Spruce House and Studio by Ao-ft

An excellent blend of modern technology and historical context, Spruce House and Studio are located in the conservation area of Walhamstead. Built from cross-laminated timber (CLT), this new structure reflects the evolution of its location – a street that once thrived as a rural thoroughfare.

What truly sets this project apart is its thoughtfully designed exterior: a facade inspired by minimalist retail design, with floor-to-ceiling windows hidden behind wooden louvers. This concept is perfectly echoed inside, where wooden screens provide partial visibility from the interior into the garden.

The 2023 RIBA House Awards once again demonstrated the endless potential and creativity in residential design. Each of these houses is unique in its narrative and context, highlighting the importance of innovation and vision in shaping the future of housing. For those who wish to learn more, the RIBA journal offers detailed articles about these architectural masterpieces.