London family home with raw material aesthetic crowned RIBA House of the Year 2024

A family residence in the South London suburb of Crystal Palace has emerged victoriously as the RIBA House of the Year title winner for the best new home in the UK. Titled Six Columns, the design was envisioned by Will Burges, Director of London-based 31/44 Architects, with himself and his family as the client.

The design beat out five other shortlisted contenders in Sussex, Cornwall, London, Kent, and Monmouthshire announced in late October.

"Six Columns is a beautifully crafted family home that cleverly incorporates Brutalist references and creative flourishes while retaining a strong sense of suburban belonging," RIBA President Muyiwa Oki commented on the winning design.

Read on for more about the Six Columns house.

"Named after the six columns that form the main structure of the building, the two-storey, four-bedroom house echoes the proportions and materials of neighboring terrace houses, while retaining its own individual character that references the designer’s broad architectural influences, such as the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe or the Case Study houses in California."

"The house is discrete and considerate to its neighbours but there are design flourishes that allow the project to carefully balance both conventional and contemporary features. For instance, its brick façade and terracotta tile roof align with the rest of the street, while concrete beams and a statement veined marble panel by the front door add a touch of bespoke grandeur."

"Inside, the layout makes the most of the wedge-shaped site, creating a functional family home that can be easily adapted for future requirements. The entrance hall serves as the central hub, connecting the home’s various zones. To the left, a light and airy kitchen diner blends modern finishes — such as full height sliding windows and sleek white granite countertops — with a distinct raw aesthetic, exemplified by oiled, unpainted pine cupboards and drawers."

"To the right of the entrance, the layout swaps open-plan design for modular living, with smaller rooms that prioritise storage and privacy. The living room is characterized by thick exposed pine walls that double as shelving units and serve as a Wunderkammer (or cabinet of curiosities) to showcase the family’s collections and memories. While designed to feel snug in winter, the room can be opened up via a sliding door to the kitchen during the summer months."

"In addition to the self-contained bedroom suite on the ground floor, two further bedrooms can be found on the second floor, and a fourth within the attic, nestled within a raised roof box. The use of self-finished materials throughout intentionally challenges the layering and ‘covering-up’ of contemporary construction. Exposed painted brickwork and readily-available spruce pine panels for fittings and joinery not only offer a natural warmth, but can be adjusted with ease in the future."

"Outside, the house boasts three separate garden spaces, including a low-maintenance, west-facing rainwater garden that channels water from all the roofs that tumble out of a huge spout and into a steel tank to prevent overflow and promote reuse."