A Mind-Blowing Family Home in South London: 31/44 Architects' Six Columns Wins RIBA House of the Year 2024
SixColumn Property Secures RIBA's House of the Year Award for 2024
Wanna know about the hottest home in town? 31/44 Architects' Six Columns, a family abode nestled in Crystal Palace, south London, has snatched the RIBA House of the Year 2024 title. It's a stunning two-story residence that's perfect for those who need a place to call home sweet home—and something spectacular to show off, too!
Get a load of the build! Designed by Will Burges, director of 31/44 Architects, for his own family, Six Columns stands tall and firm on a tight urban plot. But don't be fooled by its compact footprint. This bad boy is ready to adapt and grow with the family as their needs change. Yeah, it's that flexible!
The house bears a close resemblance to the nearby terrace housing in terms of scale and materials, but don't let that fool ya. Six Columns' unique flavor shines through with its subtle design flair, like the brick facade and terracotta roof that blend in with the street, but the stylish concrete beams and statement marble panel at the front door add just the right amount of high-end swagger.
Stepping inside, the layout showcases a functional family environment that can be easily adapted to future needs. Got a hankering for modern amenities? The open, airy kitchen-diner area's got slick glass windows, gleaming white granite countertops, and plenty of industrial edge (thanks to raw materials like oiled pine and exposed brick). If you're in the market for something a bit more subtle and personal, the cozy living room boasts thick wooden walls that function as built-in shelving units, letting you flaunt your collectibles and nostalgia like a boss.
Climb on up to the second floor to find two additional bedrooms, with a fourth bedroom hidden away in the attic's raised roof box. But don't worry about running out of space—the self-finished materials used throughout the house are designed to be adjusted with ease in the future.
Outside, Six Columns offers three separate garden spaces, including a low-maintenance rainwater garden with a steel tank that collects water from the roofs. This nifty setup prevents overflow and promotes reuse, so Mother Nature's happy, too!
So why's it such a big deal? RIBA President, Muyiwa Oki, praises Six Columns for its blend of Brutalist references, creative flourishes, and suburban belonging. He believes the house's adaptable, unfinished aesthetic makes it a great solution for future-proofed design. RIBA House of the Year Award Chair, Je Ahn, agrees, calling Six Columns a shining example of collaboration between architect and client. The home's design highlights the importance of viewing your humble abode as more than just a static snapshot in time, but rather an ever-evolving extension of ourselves.
Digging Six Columns? Honorable mentions go out to the other shortlisted projects for RIBA House of the Year 2024. Want to check 'em out? Click here!
This award-winning home, Six Columns, showcases a blend of modern lifestyle and future-proofed design, making it a standout in the real-estate market. In addition to its functional family environment, it's a smart investment for those who value environmentally-friendly features, such as the low-maintenance rainwater garden that effectively prevents overflow and promotes reuse. Moreover, Six Columns serves as a testament to the successful collaboration between architect and client, with its unique combination of suburban belonging, creative flair, and adaptability.
