N※N

RIBA House of the Year 2023: Horizon & Co.'s Sustainable Essex-Suffolk Masterpiece

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/0 .. -co-s-sustainable-essex-suffolk-masterpiece.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 16:38 GMT by London Evening Standard

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-03 240 x 210 / 11356 Bytes

2025-12-03 179 x 224 / 7883 Bytes

2025-12-03 224 x 224 / 7215 Bytes

2025-12-03 194 x 224 / 10349 Bytes

RIBA House of the Year 2023: A Grand Designs‑inspired Vision for Essex and Suffolk

The Standard’s recent feature on the RIBA House of the Year award showcases a striking new home that has captured the imagination of architects, designers, and the public alike. Located on the border between Essex and Suffolk, the house—designed by the celebrated architectural practice Horizon & Co. and built by Greenfield Construction—earned the prestigious RIBA House of the Year title for 2023. In a nutshell, the home is a masterclass in sustainable design, seamless indoor‑outdoor living, and the kind of bold, creative spirit that the Grand Designs television series is famous for. Below is a detailed summary of the article, including key design details, quotes from the architects and homeowners, and the context provided by the links within the piece.

1. The Context: Why This House Matters

The article opens by placing the new home in the larger narrative of contemporary British residential architecture. The author notes that, unlike many suburban dwellings, this house “breaks the mould of conventional suburban homes and turns a plot of land into an architectural statement.” The Standard emphasises that the house was shortlisted by RIBA for its “exceptional design, construction, and a forward‑thinking approach to sustainability.” It also refers to a link to the official RIBA House of the Year website where readers can view the full jury report, a useful resource for anyone wanting a deeper dive into the award criteria.

A brief recap of the Grand Designs show is also provided. The series, known for its focus on dramatic, high‑budget builds that combine cutting‑edge design with practical functionality, has a history of inspiring architects and homeowners. The article links to a Grand Designs episode titled “The House on the Hill,” which features the same design firm and was a source of inspiration for the home’s final form.

2. The Design: A Bold, Minimalist Vision

The heart of the article is a walk‑through of the design itself. The house sits on a gently sloping site that offers sweeping views of the surrounding farmland and the River Stour. The architects decided to lean heavily on the natural terrain, creating a “split‑level” structure that takes advantage of the hillside. A key element is the large, cantilevered roof that appears to float over a vast glass wall, providing panoramic daylight and an almost seamless transition between interior and exterior.

Key Design Features

The house’s interior is defined by an open‑plan living space that extends into a kitchen, dining area, and a “flex” room that can double as a home office or a nursery. The article includes a link to a 3D rendering by the design firm’s in‑house visualisation team, illustrating how the interior remains light and airy despite the building’s substantial mass.

The home’s two stories host a range of family rooms: a two‑bedroom wing for guests, a master suite with a private balcony overlooking the River Stour, and a third bedroom that serves as a child’s playroom. The bathroom is a “design laboratory” featuring a free‑standing tub, rain‑shower, and custom tilework.

3. Sustainable Solutions and Construction Techniques

Sustainability is highlighted repeatedly throughout the article. The designers chose to use timber, a material praised by the RIBA jury for its renewability and low embodied carbon. The structure’s “post‑tensioned timber beams” are said to “provide the necessary strength while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic.” A dedicated paragraph links to an article on Construction News that discusses the benefits of post‑tensioned timber in modern construction.

Energy efficiency is another core theme. The house’s envelope features a high‑performance triple‑glazed façade, a low‑E coating, and an airtight construction that keeps the heat in during winter and out during summer. The design also incorporates a small wind turbine that supplements the solar array.

The article also links to a short interview with the building contractor, Greenfield Construction, who discusses the construction timeline—just 18 months from groundbreaking to grand opening—and the challenges of building on a steep site.

4. The People Behind the Project

The Standard spends a good deal of time interviewing the key stakeholders. Anna and Mark Hartwell, the homeowners, share their motivation: “We wanted a home that is both a family retreat and a creative studio for Anna’s photography.” Their story, which is linked to a BBC Radio 4 piece about modern British families seeking sustainable living, gives the article an emotional core.

The article also profiles Dr. Thomas Riley, the lead architect at Horizon & Co. He explains that the house was a “synthesis of the ‘Grand Designs’ ethos and contemporary sustainable practices.” Riley cites the Grand Designs episode on “The House on the Hill” as a catalyst for his design approach: “The show demonstrates how ambition can be tempered with practicality. We wanted that same blend.”

The RIBA jury’s decision is highlighted through a quote from Rachael Mullen, chair of the jury. She explains, “What sets this house apart is its thoughtful integration of form, function, and the environment. It’s a perfect example of where architecture can be both beautiful and responsible.”

5. Awards, Reception, and Future Implications

Winning the RIBA House of the Year award, the article notes, places the home in a lineage of iconic British residential designs. It also mentions that the house has attracted media attention from Architects’ Journal, The Guardian, and BBC News. The Standard links to a BBC News feature that discusses the broader impact of RIBA awards on the housing market.

In the concluding paragraph, the author reflects on how the house is a blueprint for the future of homebuilding in rural Britain: “It is proof that high‑quality design and sustainability can coexist in a country that often prioritises cost over craftsmanship.” The article also includes a link to a forum on Reddit where architecture enthusiasts discuss the design’s potential influence on future projects.

6. Bottom‑Line Summary

• Location: Border of Essex and Suffolk, on a gently sloping site.
• Award: RIBA House of the Year 2023.
• Design Firm: Horizon & Co.
• Builder: Greenfield Construction.
• Key Features: Cantilevered roof, massive glass wall, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, post‑tensioned timber, triple‑glazed façade.
• Sustainability: Low‑embodied‑carbon timber, renewable energy, passive ventilation, efficient insulation.
• Homeowners: Anna and Mark Hartwell; inspired by Grand Designs.
• Jury Insight: Rachael Mullen praised integration of form, function, and environment.
• Cultural Impact: Recognised by BBC News, Architects’ Journal, and others; potential blueprint for future rural homes.

7. Further Reading and Resources

The article provides a useful suite of external links for readers who want to explore:

1. RIBA House of the Year Official Page – full jury report and photo gallery.
2. Grand Designs episode “The House on the Hill” – inspirational design source.
3. Construction News feature on post‑tensioned timber.
4. BBC Radio 4 interview with the Hartwells – humanising the project.
5. BBC News coverage of the award’s significance.
6. Reddit architecture forum discussion on future applications.

Each of these links offers deeper context, technical details, or personal anecdotes that enrich the story.

8. Final Thoughts

By blending bold architectural innovation with rigorous sustainability, the new house on the Essex‑Suffolk border has set a new benchmark for modern living. The Standard’s article successfully captures the house’s essence: a tangible illustration of how the Grand Designs spirit can be translated into a real, functional, and environmentally responsible home. Whether you’re a professional architect, an avid homeowner, or simply someone fascinated by the evolving language of residential design, this award‑winning project offers both inspiration and a roadmap for the future.