At the close of a difficult operating year, Build It magazine has celebrated the best products, businesses and projects a the Build It Awards 2020.
As with so much in 2020, the Build It Awards were hosted virtually, and you can still watch the awards ceremony online.
The National Custom and Self Build Association was please to see many of its members shortlisted and winning awards, and particularly wishes well done to Glasgow City Council for its inspiring work in custom and self build, and especially the MaryHill project. Have a look back to an interview at the very start of the project.
Among the highlights of the 2020 Build It Awards included A’Bear & Ball Architects stunning Chapel House and Strom Architects’ Island Rest home.
Best Architect or Designer for a Self Build Project Strom Architects – Island Rest
The judges were wowed by this elegant, low-impact design that disappears into its site and allows the stunning views to do the talking (main picture).
This luxurious contemporary home on the Isle of Wight was designed for an outdoorsy family with young children. The simple rectilinear layout gives every bedroom a sea view, with an open plan social space in the centre of the house.
Strom’s clean single-storey design and understated palette of black-stained larch and oiled oak creates a smart, modern look. It also helps the house to recede into the dark backdrop of the trees behind the plot. Part of the design cantilevers out from the sloping site on stilts, creating the illusion of the house floating over the landscape.
Best Self Build for Under £250k Frame Technologies – Birchfield
Birchfield by Frame Technologies won Best Self Build for Under £250k at the Build It Awards
Frame Technologies, a NaCSBA member, won the award for its Birchfield house, a three bedroom, two-storey cottage in Hereford. The custom-designed timber-frame home spans across a plot of 160m², centred around an open-plan living space.
The category looked for high-quality self build homes that represent great value-for-money and make the best use of the budget available. Homeowner Leanne Player had a strict budget and managed to build a high-quality contemporary home to meet her exact needs for a total build cost of around £170,000
Simon Orrells, Managing Director of Frame Technologies says: “Some people view self build as being prohibitively expensive but Birchfield challenges this notion and shows how a self builder has managed to build a home that meets their exact needs and lifestyle while keeping the costs low.”
Best Architect/Designer for a Renovation or Extension Project A’Bear & Ball Architects
Chapel House by A’Bear & Ball Architects, winner of the Best Architect/Designer for a Renovation or Extension Project at the Build It Awards 2020
Scoring highly with both the judges and the public… this is truly breathtaking project that combines a full refurbishment with a stunning contemporary extension that’s sympathetic to the original building.
In order to bring a contemporary touch to this 19th century Methodist chapel conversion, A’Ball & Bear Architects first had to remove the existing low-quality extension to reveal the original period detailing. They replaced this with an ultra-modern cedar and metal clad extension, creating a distinction between the old red brick building and new structure.
The building was fully renovated internally, enhancing the ecclesiastical detailing and original chapel features. A glazed link connects the old and new spaces, and the floorplan has been opened up to increase the sense of space.
The Build It Awards 2020
Best SIPs Home Potton – The Jays
Best Heating System or Product Orangehouse Renewables – Water Source Heat Pump
Best Custom Build Project or Model Livedin – Ingoldisthorpe
Best Plumbing or Drainage System or Product Marley Plumbing & Drainage – Foundry Finish Rainwater System
Best Self Build for Under £250k Frame Technologies – Birchfield
Best Sustainable Technology or Product CorkSol UK – Thermocork
Best Off-Site Manufactured Home The Wee House Company – Wee House for David & Christine
Best Timber Frame Home Graven Hill & A’Bear & Ball Architects LLP – The Omotayo’s Home
Best Eco Home Buildakit – Toller Grove
Best Windows air – MOD Series
Best Oak Frame Home Complete Oak Home – Chiltern Cottage
Best Accessible and Inclusive Home lapd Architects – Greenfields
Best Council for Custom or Self Builders Glasgow City Council
Best Home Technology Product or Installation Baulogic – Baulogic Wired Smart Home System
Best Roofing System or Product Wallbarn – M-Tray Instant Green Roof System
Best ICF Home van Ellen + Sheryn – Beechwood
Best Joinery Product Kloepping TSS – Thatch Barn Staircase
Best Glazed Doors Express Bi-Folding Doors – XP Vision
Best Brick Home Northcot Brick – Northcot House
Best Self Build Lender Ecology Building Society
Best Self Build or Renovation Project Sharon & Martin Newman
Best Cladding System or Product Cupa Pizarras – Cupaclad Natural Slate Rainscreen Cladding System
Innovation in Insulation Core Conservation – TermoRasante AeroGel Thermal Lime Plaster
