Unveiled in London, a home designed in the fashion of California's architectural style, earning recognition as an 'architectural victory'. Tour this acclaimed residence.
Ruth Somerfield's Contemporary Dream Home Wins Home of the Year Accolade
In the bustling corner of London, a modern architectural marvel has emerged, captivating the city's residents and the judges of the Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2024. This contemporary dream home, designed by architect Ruth Somerfield, has been crowned the Home of the Year.
Ruth Somerfield, renowned for her eco-friendly and sleek designs, transformed a single-storey detached home just after the lockdown into a sleek, energy-efficient dwelling. The original 1970s house, designed with a modern extension in mind, was meticulously renovated and extended to include a first floor.
The project, managed by Ruth with a strict budget and timings, saw the involvement of the bespoke construction company Modernarc. The build team navigated the challenges of working in a conservation area, securing new planning permission after Ruth scrapped the existing plans.
The architect proposed a fully glazed scheme, raising the roof height and creating a dynamic relationship with the gardens. The house now boasts windows from Maxlight and Lightfoot, and sliding glass doors that enhance the connection with the outdoor space. The roof glazing maximizes natural light, particularly in the stairwell, while the new open-plan layout allows light to filter throughout the space.
The interior design features a polished concrete floor throughout the downstairs, except for the downstairs bathroom which has terrazzo tiling. The house is equipped with underfloor heating for energy efficiency, and high-performance insulation for the walls and roof.
Addressing the original house's issues of poor ventilation, insulation, and heating, Ruth's renovation has transformed the dwelling into a shining example of 21st-century energy efficiency. The original house's lack of a strong connection to its surrounding landscape was also addressed, with a 1-metre-deep built-in storage void above the ground-floor ceilings being removed.
Judges described Ruth's home as an "architectural triumph" and the "standout home" of the Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2024. Ruth counts herself lucky to have had a great relationship with everyone who worked on the project, and her contemporary dream home in south London stands as a testament to her architectural skills and commitment to sustainable, modern design.
Entries for the 2025 awards will open in spring, and with Ruth's recent win, the competition is sure to be fierce.
- The contemporary dream home designed by Ruth Somerfield, winner of Home of the Year, has etched its modern architecture into the city's landscape.
- Ruth Somerfield's conversion of a single-story house into an energy-efficient dwelling showcases her expertise in eco-friendly and sleek designs.
- The project that saw the house's expansion from a single to a double-story structure was meticulously managed by Ruth with a tight budget and timeline.
- The renovation and extension phase involved the collaboration of the bespoke construction company Modernarc, who overcame the challenges of working in a conservation area.
- The house's fully glazed scheme, including windows from Maxlight and Lightfoot, and sliding glass doors, forge a dynamic relationship between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Ruth's innovative touch includes a raised roof height, allowing abundance of natural light that highlights the open-plan layout and filters throughout the house.
- The home's interior design features polished concrete flooring, with an exception in the downstairs bathroom, where terrazzo tiling has been installed.
- Underfloor heating and high-performance insulation exhibit Ruth's commitment to creating an energy-efficient dwelling that addresses the original house's issues of poor heating, ventilation, and insulation.
- Ideas for improving the connection between the home and its surroundings were realized with the removal of a 1-meter-deep built-in storage void above the ground-floor ceilings.
- The judging panel of the Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2024 hailed Ruth's house as an "architectural triumph" and the "standout home," praising her contemporary design and sustainable approach.
- Inspirational insight into Ruth's renovation process can be found in a comprehensive home-and-garden guide, offering readers a guide to building and designing with energy efficiency in mind.
- Aspiring architects and homeowners preparing for the 2025 Homebuilding & Renovating Awards should consider following in Ruth's footsteps, as her contemporary dream home continues to inspire a lifestyle of modern and sustainable design.
