The RIBA House of the Year award - formerly known as the Manser Medal - is one of the UK's highest honours in residential design and this year's last few places on the shortlist of finalists are filling up fast. The latest slots, just announced by the RIBA and seen on screen last night, go to a generous and clever central London house and a beautifully proportioned countrside home in County Down.
Levring House is the inspired work of London based architect Jamie Fobert. Occupying a typical mews house plot in Bloomsbury, this modern home is spacious and stylish, making the most of its site, materials and orientation.
Made of Danish hand made bricks, bronze panels and clear glazing, Levring House also includes a delightful 14m long marble lined lap pool in its basement, as well as ample space for work and play for the owners. A central light well at its heart helps natural light penetrate deep into all interiors.
The House at Maghera was designed by Belfast architecture practice McGonigle McGrath. The house, designed within an existing settlement, takes its cues from the area's vernacular architecture and arrangement. It is composed of two forms, wedged together.
Inside, large, open spaces offer ample living space. A clean decor and a neutral colour palette allows the nature, beautifully framed by carefully placed openings, to take centre stage, uniting inside and outside.
These stunning homes will join Flint House in Buckinghamshire by Skene Catling De La Pena, Sussex House in West Sussex by Wilkinson King Architects, Kew House in London by Piercy & Company and Vaulted House, also in London, by vPPR Architects in the running for the coveted accolade.
With one more nominee left to be revealed, anticipation is rising fast. The winner will be revealed on November 25.
Located on a small mews street in central London’s Bloomsbury, the house occupies a corner plot
The design features ample glazing and large openigns, to allow plenty of natural sunlight inside
The frequently double-height living spaces inside include private accomodation, as well as space for work and play for the owners.
A light well at the house’s heart further ensures that all interiors, from top to its basement, are naturally lit
A south facing terrace at the house’s top floor helps bring some of the outside in.
Concrete meets hand made brick, bronze panels, glazing and warm wood in this spacious London home
A countryside home in County Down is the second project, revealed this week for the House of the Year shortlist
Maghera is a family home designed by Belfast architecture practice McGonigle McGrath
The house is composed of two linear traditional building forms that continue the area’s existing settlement pattern and vernacular.
The entrance hall leads to a music room, a trapezoidal volume complete with piano, and enclosed by a pair of folding and sliding barn doors
A cavernous volume with a large singular window and a timber floor forms the project’s sculptural guest bedroom
INFORMATION
For more information on the award visit the RIBA website
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