Unveiled in London, an architectural marvel reminiscent of California, recognized as a triumph in the realm of design and architecture awards.
A Modern Dream Home in South London: The 2024 Homebuilding & Renovating Awards' "Home of the Year"
In the bustling corner of south London, a single-storey detached home underwent a remarkable transformation, earning it the title of "Home of the Year" at the 2024 Homebuilding & Renovating Awards.
Ruth Somerfield, the home's new owner, purchased the property after lockdown to accommodate her family and pets. The original house, built in 1979, was designed on the ethos of Case Studies Houses, but it was cold, damp, and lacking in ventilation and insulation.
Ruth was inspired by the Scandi aesthetic and mid-century design for the interior of her home. She faced challenges in finding the right builders for the project, but eventually chose Modernarc. The architects, who had designed several houses in LA, understood the aesthetic Ruth wanted to maintain.
The renovation project was not without its challenges. The planning application was approved despite being in a conservation area and surrounded by flats. The original house came with planning permission to add a modern extension, which was another draw for Ruth.
The architects transformed the house with an extension and complete renovation, creating a sleek, energy-efficient home. The home features full-length windows with triple glazing for thermal efficiency, and the interior design features a polished concrete floor throughout the downstairs, except for the downstairs bathroom which has terrazzo tiling.
High-performance insulation was incorporated for the walls and roof, and the house is heated purely using underfloor heating for energy efficiency. The original house's poor connection to its surrounding landscape was addressed by raising the roof height and creating a new, dynamic relationship with the gardens.
The end result is a light, airy home that is warm and easy to live in. The renovated house is an energy-efficient, green extension with an electric boiler and water heater, removing reliance on gas. Sustainable oak flooring was used in the upstairs living area instead of cork, due to concerns about fading and longevity.
The project required meticulous budgeting and timings, as the family had to move out and rent a nearby house during the construction. The renovation has been hailed as the "standout home" of the Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2024, a testament to the team's hard work and dedication.
For those interested in learning more about the project, the official Homebuilding & Renovating Awards website or their 2024 winners announcement, architecture and home building magazines covering UK projects, social media channels related to Homebuilding & Renovating Awards, or contacting the awards organizers directly are good places to start.
- The transformation of the single-storey detached home in south London, winner of the "Home of the Year" title at the 2024 Homebuilding & Renovating Awards, was accomplished after it was purchased by Ruth Somerfield as a lockdown acquisition for her family and pets.
- Ruth, inspired by the Scandi aesthetic and mid-century design, encountered difficulties in finding suitable builders for her project but eventually chosen Modernarc, architects known for their work in LA.
- Despite being in a conservation area and surrounded by flats, the planning application for the project was approved, granting permission to add a modern extension.
- The renovation included extending the house and completely renovating it, resulting in a sleek, energy-efficient home that addresses the original house's issues with insulation, ventilation, and energy consumption.
- Polished concrete flooring is featured throughout the downstairs of the renovated home, except for the downstairs bathroom, which boasts terrazzo tiling.
- High-performance insulation was installed in the walls and roof to improve energy efficiency, and the home is heated using underfloor heating.
- To better connect the house with its surrounding landscape, the architects addressed the original poor connection by raising the roof height and creating a new, dynamic relationship with the gardens.
- The renovated house offers a light, airy living space with full-length windows featuring triple glazing for thermal efficiency.
- Sustainable oak flooring was used on the upstairs living area instead of cork to alleviate concerns about fading and longevity.
- For those interested in learning about the project's details, resources include the official Homebuilding & Renovating Awards' website, architecture and home building magazines covering UK projects, social media channels related to the awards, or contacting the awards organizers directly.
- The 2024 Homebuilding & Renovating Awards saw the renovated home as the "standout home," symbolizing the team's efforts and commitment.
- With the home renovation, Ruth Somerfield has successfully transformed a cold, damp, and lacking-in-ventilation house into a modern dream home that promotes a sustainable and comfortable lifestyle, aligning with the principles of home-and-garden and home-improvement trends.
