A glazed double-height extension by EBBA Architects and a green terrazzo-lined home by ConForm Architects are among London’s best new home renovations, according to this year’s 14-strong Don’t Move, Improve! shortlist.
An extension by architecture studio DHaus illuminated by a wall-to-wall skylight was also featured in the competition’s shortlist, alongside a bomb-damaged home that was renovated by British studio Bindloss Dawes.
Now in its 15th edition, the annual Don’t Move, Improve! awards programme aims to celebrate the most innovative home improvements in London.
Over 150 houses were entered into this year’s competition. A peer review panel made up of last year’s shortlisted architects made a refined list, from which 14 shortlisted projects were selected by the judging panel. This included writer Anna White, urban designer Ed Jarvis, Mary Duggan Architects founder Mary Duggan, and architecture photographer Peter Molloy.
The jury praised the diversity of scale in the shortlisted projects, adding that renovations and extensions of all sizes can significantly improve a home.
“The shortlisted projects all demonstrated exemplary approaches towards the material considerations prioritising existing fabric and energy performance,” said Duggan.
“Projects ranged in typology from whole house remodelling, space extensions to smaller intricate reconfigurations, all aspiring to achieve long-stay arrangements adaptive to growing families.”
“These projects offer inspiration and practical solutions for Londoners looking to improve their homes, demonstrating that great design is accessible to all,” added NLA head of programme Federico Ortiz.
“From small-scale refurbishments to bold architectural statements, these homes are proof that Londoners are embracing the potential of their spaces in incredible ways.”
Other projects on the shortlist include an extension informed by tropical modernism by London studio Sonn and a home by architecture practice Curtaz Studio that celebrates the owners’ shared love for photography and nature.
Timber dominated in some of the homes, including the Hope Villa extension by architecture studio Proctor & Shaw and Upper Addison Gardens by studios Woodrow Vizor Architects and LonProp.
Johan Hybschmann, director of London studio Archmongers, was shortlisted for the transformation of his own 1970s home, while homeowner Natallia Tanko showcased DIY initiative with her self-built Hands-on Home.
Projects that focused solely on making use of an existing home, rather than extending it, included architecture practice THISS Studio’s transformation of an underused space in Hartley House and a former clergy house that was renovated by design studios Nina+Co and Roar.
Loca studio O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects transformed a south London home to make it more suited to hybrid working, while VATRAA created a connection with the outdoors by designing a sunken kitchen extension where the seating aligns with the garden level.
The winning home renovation will be announced on 19 February by competition organiser New London Architecture (NLA), with which Dezeen is a media partner.
Last year’s overall winner was a terracotta-tiled extension by London studio Emil Eve Architects, which was praised for its playful use of colour.
Scroll down to see all 14 shortlisted projects:
Aperture House by Curtaz Studio
Datum House by DHaus
Elemental House by Archmongers
Hands-on Home by Natallia Tanko
Hartley House by THISS Studio
Hope Villa by Proctor & Shaw
House Extension in Islington by VATRAA
Lordship Park by Bindloss Dawes
Nina’s House by Nina+Co and Roar
Plaster House by Sonn
Raw House by O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects
Steel House by EBBA Architects
Terzetto by ConForm Architects
Upper Addison Gardens by Woodrow Vizor Architects and LonProp
