The winning projects of the RIBA South East Awards 2024 reveal how architects can modify existing homes and build new ones, creating great places to live. A tranquil community for later living (Cobham Bowers), a hidden woodland retreat (Looking Glass Lodge) and a repurposed 16th-century residence (The Hall) are amongst the nine celebrated projects from the region.
Presented since 1966, the RIBA Awards set the standard for great architecture across the country.
The South East Awards 2024 were announced at a ceremony this evening, at which Cobham Bowers was named as winner of RIBA South East Building of the Year Award 2024 (sponsored by EH Smith). The jury was impressed with how a large development gives the impression of being domestic in scale, thanks to the gabled roofs which run at right angles to each other.
The 2024 RIBA South East Award-winning projects are:
● Cobham Bowers by Coffey Architects
A buzzy housing community in Surrey designed specifically for later living
● Eavesdrop by Tom Dowdall Architects
A Paragraph 80, single-storey house that has been designed as a retirement home a rural context
● Kingston Villa by Fletcher Crane Architects
Replacing a dilapidated bungalow with a new family villa bordering Richmond Park
● Looking Glass Lodge by Michael Kendrick Architects
A unique woodland retreat and holiday let, set discreetly within a natural clearing
● The Bathing Pools by DLM Architects
The redevelopment of the much-loved but dilapidated facilities at La Valette Bathing Pools in Guernsey
● The Exchange by Robin Lee Architecture
This abandoned former Carnegie Library has been brought back to life as a community centre
● The Hall by TaylorHare Architects
An Grade II* listed 16th century residence has been reinstated as an elegant family property
● The Mile House by Meloy Architecture and Design
A sustainable home, built to Passivhaus standards, in West Sussex
● West Meadow by Hollaway Studio
An immensely sustainable home with a sensitivity to the local vernacular
The nine projects were selected by the expert jury, who visited all shortlisted projects.
RIBA President, Muyiwa Oki, said:
“This year’s RIBA Award winning schemes showcase the true value of quality architecture, and the positive impact it has on people’s lives. While carefully considering the needs of the environment, these truly remarkable places and spaces deliver for communities, for residents, for visitors, and people of all ages up and down the country. They are pinnacles of design excellence, and show what can be achieved when architects and clients collaborate successfully.”
Jonathan Stern, Regional Representative for RIBA South East, said:
“That this year’s winners come from such a broad range of scales and uses demonstrates that exceptional architecture is truly alive and well in the South East. These projects represent the very best of the region’s thoughtful architects and engaged clients.
Truly communal spaces at the bathing pools built into Guernsey's rocky coast and Erith’s repurposed Carnegie Library on the south bank of the Thames, reinvigorate their communities with their own unique stories unfolding inside, whilst Cobham’s cleverly contextual and communal later-living counterpoints in scale this year’s smallest project - a wonderfully detailed floating forest lodge. Individual homes, each unique and personal, provide sweeping roofs, exquisitely crafted interiors, and an exceptional passivhaus. All are delightful buildings and very worthy winners.”
Full list of the regional special awards announced this evening:
● Cobham Bowers - RIBA South East Building of the Year 2024
● Kingston Villa (Harry Insall-Reid) - RIBA South East Project Architect of the Year 2024
● The Mile House - RIBA South East Client of the Year 2024
● The Exchange - RIBA South East Conservation Award 2024
● Looking Glass Lodge – RIBA South East Small Project of the Year 2024
RIBA South East Award winners will now be considered for a highly coveted RIBA National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence, which will be announced on 11 July. The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects later in the year.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- For further press information please contact
Bobby Jewell| bobby@bobby-jewell.com | 07915 566640
Robert Fiehn| rob@robert-fiehn.com | 07814 078946 - High resolution images and jury citations: https://riba.box.com/v/RibaSouthEastWinners2024
- RIBA Special Awards are sponsored by EH Smith and Autodesk.
- The RIBA Awards have been running since 1966 and are judged and presented locally. No matter the shape, size, budget or location, RIBA Award winning schemes set the standard for great architecture all across the country. RIBA Awards are for buildings in the UK by RIBA Chartered Architects and RIBA International Fellows.
- Entries are submitted to the region or nation in which the building is situated. Projects are judged first for RIBA Regional Awards, then RIBA National Awards; the RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist is selected from winners of the RIBA National Awards.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
