South-East London Home Wins RIBA House of the Year Award

A four-bedroom residence situated in south-east London has been designated House of the Year by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The property, named Six Columns and located in Crystal Palace, was constructed by 31/44 Architects on a site composed of garden plots acquired from neighboring properties. Muyiwa Oki, President of RIBA, commented on the selection, stating: “Six Columns is a beautifully crafted family home that cleverly incorporates Brutalist references and creative flourishes while retaining a strong sense of suburban belonging.” The Crystal Palace property secured the top honor, surpassing Peckham House in south London, Eavesdrop in Sussex, and Farmworker’s House in Cornwall. The Hall in Kent and Plas Hendy Stable Block in Monmouthshire were also among the shortlisted contenders. Oki further elaborated on the design’s merits, adding: “It shows what can be achieved when working with even the tightest of suburban sites, and its flexible, unfinished aesthetic offers a solution to future-proofed design: this is a home that can evolve with its occupants’ changing needs over time.” He also noted, “The generosity of space belies the limitations of this small garden plot.” Je Ahn, who chaired the House of the Year panel, remarked: “One-off houses are as unique and varied as we are as individuals, so often producing them needs a closer understanding between the client and architect.” Ahn concluded by saying, “Six Columns demonstrates an important message that we should all remember: your home is not a static slice of time, but continuously evolves with you.”