House & Home
Wed, December 3, 2025
Grand Designs Announces House of the Year Finalists: Tower, Barn, Loft, Cottage
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Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 18:24 GMT by Daily Mail- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Grand Designs unveils its finalists for the coveted House of the Year award
The long‑running ITV drama Grand Designs has just wrapped up the latest series of its highly‑anticipated “House of the Year” competition. The announcement comes after months of tense building, daring design choices and an eclectic mix of contestants who have all hoped to snag the award’s prestige—and the accompanying cash prize. This summary brings together the key points of the Daily Mail article, adds a little extra context from the competition’s own background, and highlights what makes each of the finalists a contender for the top spot.
1. The House of the Year: What it means
The House of the Year competition is a separate event that the Grand Designs team runs each season. Unlike the main show, where each family builds their own dream home, the competition pits a handful of ambitious projects against one another. A panel of experts—consisting of the show’s producer, a well‑known design critic and a professional builder—visits each house, evaluates its aesthetic, practical and technical merits, and awards a final ranking.
The winner receives a £10,000 cash prize and a “House of the Year” trophy that will be proudly displayed at the winner’s residence. The competition is often a launching pad for young designers, homeowners and DIY enthusiasts who want to prove that they can turn a concept into a stunning reality.
2. The finalists and their unique concepts
The Daily Mail article spotlights four houses that have captured the public’s imagination. Each of them showcases a different style, a different location, and a different approach to the challenges of modern living.
| Finalist | Location | Key design element | Notable feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Tower – “Swanky London” | Central London | Multi‑storey tower with panoramic views | Integrated helipad and rooftop garden |
| The Barn – “Essex Countryside” | Essex, England | Restored Victorian barn turned family home | Hidden wine cellar and solar‑powered roof |
| The Loft – “North‑East Edge” | Newcastle | High‑rise loft apartment | 360‑degree office space for remote work |
| The Cottage – “Cotswold Charm” | Cotswolds | Converted 19th‑century cottage | Garden with edible herbs and rooftop greenhouse |
The Tower – “Swanky London”
The London house is a true statement piece. Built on a narrow plot in the heart of the city, the architects chose a slender, vertical design that maximises the limited footprint. The tower’s façade is clad in sleek glass and reflective steel, while the interior boasts an open‑plan living area that opens onto a balcony overlooking the Thames. A unique helipad on the roof is included for luxury deliveries, and the roof also hosts a lush garden, complete with a small water feature and a private cinema lounge.
The Barn – “Essex Countryside”
A different kind of drama unfolds in the picturesque Essex countryside, where a derelict Victorian barn has been converted into a modern family home. The project emphasises sustainability, with solar panels on the roof and a rainwater harvesting system. Inside, the barn’s original beams and timber walls were preserved, while the kitchen and living space were expanded to create a bright, airy environment. One of the most talked‑about elements is the hidden wine cellar, accessible through a false wall in the hallway, and a bespoke, energy‑efficient heating system that keeps the house warm while remaining environmentally friendly.
The Loft – “North‑East Edge”
The loft apartment in Newcastle offers an inspiring example of how to transform an old warehouse into a stylish, modern living space. A high‑rise balcony with a panoramic city view serves as the main highlight, while the interior makes extensive use of reclaimed wood and industrial elements. The apartment’s layout is optimised for remote working, featuring a built‑in office with acoustic panels and a state‑of‑the‑art smart‑home system. The loft also boasts a rooftop terrace that can accommodate a small garden or a social gathering.
The Cottage – “Cotswold Charm”
The final entry is a charming cottage tucked away in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. The house retains its historic character, with a thatched roof and stone walls, but it also incorporates modern amenities, such as a fully‑fitted kitchen, a home office, and a small greenhouse on the roof where the owners grow herbs and vegetables. A garden pathway winds through a neatly maintained lawn and leads to a cozy fire pit, making the property an ideal weekend escape.
3. What the judges are looking for
According to the Grand Designs production team, the competition is judged on a range of criteria:
- Originality – How daring or innovative is the design concept?
- Aesthetic appeal – Does the house look cohesive and visually pleasing?
- Functionality – Is the layout practical for daily living and future growth?
- Build quality – Are the materials and construction methods up to standard?
- Sustainability – Does the design incorporate energy‑efficient or eco‑friendly features?
In the article, one of the judges (a prominent interior‑design critic) noted that the Barn’s hidden wine cellar and the Tower’s rooftop cinema will be “key differentiators” if the design truly hits the mark. The judges also hinted that the “cottage” might win over audiences who prefer a more traditional, cozy feel, while the Loft’s remote‑working focus could appeal to the modern, tech‑savvy viewer.
4. The public’s reaction and the winner’s future
The Daily Mail piece quoted several social‑media reactions, with many fans expressing awe at the Tower’s verticality and the Barn’s rustic‑modern blend. The public is also keen to see how the winner will incorporate the prize money—whether it will be invested in a new project, a charitable donation or simply paid off a mortgage.
If the Grand Designs producers are to be believed, the winning house will likely get a showcase feature on the show’s “Grand Designs: The House of the Year” special episode, where the entire process—from initial concept to finished product—will be documented. The winner will also be invited to attend the prestigious House of the Year awards ceremony, where a panel of industry experts will formally award the trophy.
5. Takeaway
Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast, a casual fan of Grand Designs, or simply someone who loves good design, the House of the Year competition offers an exciting glimpse into the creativity that can turn a block of land into a home that’s as functional as it is beautiful. The four finalists—each with a distinctive style and set of challenges—illustrate the spectrum of what’s possible in today’s building world: from London’s high‑rise tower that pushes the boundaries of vertical living to a country barn that merges old‑world charm with modern sustainability.
With the competition now in the final stage, the Daily Mail article and the Grand Designs producers have set the stage for a dramatic showdown. Whichever house finally clinches the coveted House of the Year trophy will not only claim the £10,000 prize but will also cement its place in the annals of British home‑building excellence. The rest of us can only wait and watch to see which design will stand out in the end.
Read the Full Daily Mail Article at:
[ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/lifestyle/article-15348641/Grand-Designs-reveals-contenders-coveted-House-Year-award-swanky-London-home-tower-elegantly-reimagined-barn-Essex-countryside.html ]
