Celebrating Innovation in Residential Design: Highlights from the RIBA Top British Homes of 2024

At Grace and Morris, we’re always inspired by the ways in which architecture can transform lives. The reason that most of us find ourselves pursuing a career in architecture is because we have been inspired by existing architects and their buildings - So it’s no surprise that even after we are fully qualified, we still look out for inspiration, and follow the work of our favourite architects. The homes recognised in RIBA’s Top Six British Homes of 2024 celebrate some of the most innovative residential designs, and we’re excited to share what makes these projects exceptional. From sustainable materials to masterful craftsmanship, these homes reflect values that resonate deeply with our own design philosophy.

Sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s a necessity. The RIBA’s selection showcases homes with a commitment to environmental responsibility, such as Eavesdrop house, designed by Tom Dowdall, whose design features a central courtyard maximising natural light and ventilation into the space, and reducing the need of energy consuming alternatives. The design followed passivhaus principles, and the result is extremely energy efficient, with U-values lower than 0.11 W/m2K for the walls, floor and roof as well as an air tightness level of 0.74 ACH50. Having passive energy systems in your home not only makes it better for the environment as your carbon footprint will be reduced, but it also means that your energy costs will be lower. By integrating passive ventilation systems it means that your indoor air quality will be better, which in turn benefits your own health. Finally, it can make your house more sustainable for future modification, whilst reducing time and costs with maintenance of non passive energy systems. We too integrate green principles like passive heating, natural ventilation, and sustainable materials into our designs to ensure every home respects its environment and serves future generations. Additionally, by sourcing your building materials from the UK, and using recycled materials where possible, you can reduce the embodied carbon and operational carbon of your build - and thus making it even more environmentally friendly.

Innovative use of space is essential in today’s home designs, and the RIBA homes exemplify this beautifully. From open-plan layouts to multifunctional spaces, these homes demonstrate how creative architecture can make even the smallest spaces feel expansive. We take a similar approach by listening closely to clients’ needs and exploring unique solutions for every room, whether that means seamless indoor-outdoor transitions or adaptable living spaces. When the space allows for it, larger floor plans provide the best opportunity for adaptability in the future, as we never know what life might throw at us. By having a large space it means that adapting it for pets or babies, or even for wheelchair use is made easy. Highfield House, one of our own projects, is a good example of this. The project consisted of a renovation and full house redesign, which included transforming the ground floor into a large open plan space. This combined the kitchen, dining area, and a living area (with a separate living area - Snug- kept separate) which encompasses the majority of the ground floor. This space is bright with good ventilation able to flow through the space, and it is adaptable and flexible. When building on an existing plot with a small garden, or even when extending your home and thus eating up some of your available garden space, it takes a good architect to find a balance and give you the outdoor spaces that you need. Peckham House, by Surman Weston tackles this issue perfectly, with the house located on a relatively small plot in South London, you can imagine there is little outdoor space to work with. The house takes the form of a cuboid with a flat roof, and a parapet surrounding it - which creates a secluded third garden in the form of a roof terrace. Littered with plants and containing a greenhouse, which can be used as a hothouse, a winter garden, a potting shed and a dining space, this terrace gives the occupants a perfect and serene garden.

The connection between a home and its surroundings is crucial, not only the natural/ built environment but also the site’s unique history. Understanding your location's context is a necessity to be able design a home that sits harmoniously and timelessly within its surroundings. This year’s winning homes beautifully embody this principle. Stable Block, by Studio Brassica Architects is an example of a sensitive and respectful design, embodying its context and history. This building was formerly an old and deteriorating arts and crafts stable, and a Grade II listed building. It was important that the original fabric of the building was preserved, and so they had to be very careful not to disrupt it during the build. In order to recapture some of the building's rich history, simple materials were used in an interesting way - in the spirit of the arts and crafts movement. Sawtooth bricks stacked vertically and horizontally create a weave effect that varies with an intention of reflecting the constantly changing Welsh weather. Our project, The Old Court House, is a renovation of a beautiful historic courthouse in Harrogate, that was later turned into a commercial office building, into three unique townhouses. This was a careful design, with a strong intent to bring back this rich but lost character to each of the new homes. The exterior of the building was left untouched, ensuring not to erase any of its historic architecture - However, elements such as the windows and doors were carefully replaced to fit modern building standards.

We believe every home should feel like a natural extension of its landscape, respecting local architecture while introducing fresh, contemporary elements. This is why, at Grace and Morris, we prioritise designs that celebrate the unique beauty of each site, whether it’s an urban townhouse or a countryside retreat. Farmworker’s House, by Hugh Strange Architects, is a good example of this. With its rough render exterior and barn like timber ceilings having been informed by traditional farmsteads of England's West Country. Additionally, it has a courtyard layout that too emulates that of a traditional farmstead. Supporting this intention, he studio's founder, Hugh Strange said, “The design of the house suggests a form of rural development that respects and retains the existing character of the landscape while still making a characterful intervention”. Our project, The Barn, was designed with the intention of it having a clear connection with its surroundings. Constructed using locally sourced stone, and built as an extension/ renovation of an existing but derelict barn, the final result is a building that looks like it has always been there, with its earthy tones mirroring its natural landscape.

The top six British homes of 2024 inspire us to continue pushing boundaries and creating spaces that are as thoughtful as they are beautiful. If you’re dreaming of a home that embodies your values and lifestyle, let’s talk about how we can turn that vision into a reality. Contact us today to start designing your perfect space.