First two shortlisted homes revealed for 2016 RIBA House of the Year

Anticipation for the 2016 RIBA House of the Year winner builds up as competition grows narrower. Formerly known as the Manser Medal until last year, the RIBA House of the Year Award still carries the same purpose of distinguishing the year's most innovative house designed by a UK-based architect.

While RIBA revealed this year's longlist all at once, they're taking a little more time with the shortlist, which is currently being revealed in a special four-week broadcast of the “Grand Designs” TV series on BBC Channel 4. Last Thursday, the first two houses in the shortlist were announced. They are: Ansty Plum in Wiltshire by Coppin Dockray and the Outhouse in Forest of Dean by Loyn & Co Architects.

After all seven shortlisted houses are unveiled, the House of the Year will finally be revealed on screen on December 15.

Missed the BBC announcement? Check out the first two shortlisted houses below.

Outhouse, Forest of Dean by Loyn & Co Architects

Project excerpt: Embedded into a green sloping plot in the Forest of Dean, the Outhouse stood out for its discreet yet confident design and uses the site's potential to the fullest. Made of concrete that creates a luxurious yet welcoming atmosphere, the house's design “loquently and effortlessly tackles many familiar issues; the blurred relationship between interior and exterior space, the penetration of light into a deep single aspect plan, the control of sustainability without flaunting it”. “The key architectural device is a rigorous plan organisation separating studio and working spaces on the uphill side and glass fronted living spaces on the downhill side to take advantage of spectacular views.”

More project info.

Ansty Plum, Wiltshire by Coppin Dockray

Project excerpt: Ansty Plum in Wiltshire was thoughtfully redesigned and restored for contemporary living, but Coppin Dockray's approach still respects the house's original spirit. Now considered to be as close to its original form as ever, the house is “discretely and successfully heated, lit, insulated and serviced leaving the classic period interior intact and the house’s future assured [...] The apparent collapsed state of the building could perhaps have led to a slightly bolder, that is a less reverent, architecture but the rebuild is fastidiously faithful to the spirit of the original whilst adding considerable comfort and some delight.”

More project info.

All photos courtesy of RIBA.