House & Home
Thu, December 11, 2025
Wed, December 10, 2025
Island Oasis: Tiny Home Wins House of the Year Award
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Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 10th 2025 at 17:01 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
Grand designs for tiny island home – House of the Year
The Standard’s homes and property team spent a day on a privately‑owned island off the coast of Cornwall to explore a house that is taking the “tiny home” movement by storm. The 120‑square‑metre dwelling, which has just won the House of the Year award for 2024, demonstrates that a small footprint can still pack luxury, sustainability and an almost cinematic sense of place.
A location that makes a statement
The house sits on a 400‑square‑metre island that is only a 15‑minute boat ride from the mainland. Its isolation is part of the appeal: no neighbours to interrupt the quiet, no traffic, just the endless horizon and the sound of waves. The article explains that the island has no roads, only a narrow path that runs through the trees to the house. The owner, a London entrepreneur, decided that the only way to escape the chaos of the city was to build a home that was literally “off the grid”.
The Standard followed a link to the House of the Year website, where the island is highlighted in a photo‑gallery that includes a satellite view. That external resource confirms that the island is officially part of the Lizard Peninsula National Park, which adds an extra layer of prestige to the property.
Design philosophy: “Less is more”
Architect James “Jaz” Taylor, who is based in Manchester, designed the island house after an extensive research trip to Japan and Iceland. Taylor’s design ethos, as explained in the article, is to maximise openness while minimising environmental impact. The house’s main feature is its “glass wall” – a full‑height floor-to-ceiling glass wall that faces the sea, giving the interior a panoramic view and letting in daylight that could otherwise have been blocked by a conventional wall.
The structure is built around a central atrium that connects the living area, kitchen and small dining room. The atrium is topped with a skylight that lets in natural light all day long, and the floor is made of recycled composite wood. Taylor said the atrium “acts as a natural light well and keeps the house warm in winter, while keeping the summer cooler because the glass is treated with a low‑emissivity coating that reduces heat gain.”
The Standard article quoted Taylor: “It’s about creating a sense of scale in a small space. Even though the house only covers 120 square metres, we’ve made the rooms feel expansive by keeping everything open and using reflective surfaces.”
Interior: a study in multi‑functionality
The living room is a bright, airy space with a large sectional sofa that folds into a king‑size bed for guests. The kitchen, a minimalist “café‑style” unit, is tucked under the atrium’s skylight and features a custom-made island that doubles as a breakfast bar. Taylor’s team used locally sourced timber for the cabinets, and the countertops are a recycled glass composite that adds a subtle shimmer.
A clever piece of design is the “hidden loft” that sits above the living area. When it’s night, the loft is transformed into a cosy bedroom with a built‑in Murphy bed that can be pulled down for the day. When the occupants are awake, the loft is opened up as a storage area that keeps the living space clutter‑free.
The bathroom, located at the back of the house, is a small yet luxurious retreat. It contains a rainfall shower, a freestanding tub, and a “solar‑heated” water system that keeps the water warm all year round. Taylor explained that the bathroom was designed to “feel like a spa but stay efficient.”
Sustainability: living in harmony with nature
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the island house is its commitment to sustainability. The Standard article listed several features that keep the house “off the grid” while still offering all the comforts of a modern home:
- Solar panels: A roof‑mounted photovoltaic system that covers 75 % of the house’s electricity demand.
- Wind turbine: A small 600 W turbine that kicks in when the wind speed is over 7 m/s, giving an extra 10 % of power.
- Rainwater harvesting: A rain barrel collects runoff from the roof, which is filtered and used for the toilet, irrigation and occasional showers.
- Greywater recycling: The greywater from the sink and shower is treated with a bio‑filtration system and reused for irrigation of the surrounding lawn.
- Passive solar heating: The house’s orientation places the living area to the south and the bedrooms to the north, with south‑facing windows that allow maximum solar gain.
Taylor said that the house can run on its own for “around 40 % of the year” with the current systems. The Standard article linked to a separate page that explains the technical details of the renewable energy system and how the owners monitor it via a smart‑home app.
The human side of isolation
While the article is heavy on design and engineering, it never loses sight of the people who live in the house. The owner, a software engineer turned nature‑enthusiast, described the experience as “a daily reminder to slow down.” She said that the island’s isolation is not a restriction but a liberating experience that encourages creative thinking. The Standard’s photographer captured several moments of the owner sketching on a small table, or lying on the deck with a book while watching the sunset.
A link inside the article takes readers to a video interview with the owner on the Standard’s YouTube channel, where she explains how the house fits into her lifestyle and how she manages maintenance and supplies.
Recognition and wider impact
The article concludes by noting that the house won the House of the Year award for its “innovative design, sustainability and ability to turn a small island into a fully functional living space.” The award ceremony, held in London, was attended by a panel of industry experts, designers and media figures. The Standard’s piece includes a sidebar with quotes from the judges, praising the house as a “benchmark for future tiny homes.”
A link to the official House of the Year website shows that this is the first time a tiny home on an island has won the award, highlighting the growing acceptance of sustainable, minimalist living.
Final thoughts
The Standard’s in‑depth article paints a vivid picture of what can be achieved when architecture, design and sustainability come together. The tiny island house is more than just a clever use of limited space; it’s a manifesto that “you can have luxury and be responsible to the planet at the same time.” With its award‑winning design, the house will likely inspire a new generation of designers to think smaller, greener, and more creatively.
Read the Full London Evening Standard Article at:
[ https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/interiors/grand-designs-tiny-island-home-house-of-the-year-b1261996.html ]
