RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize 2012 Shortlists Five Houses

Yesterday we published the shortlist for the RIBA Manser Medal 2012 for the best new house, and today we're following up with the list of shortlisted houses for this year's Stephen Lawrence Prize which the RIBA announced just recently.

The Stephen Lawrence Prize, sponsored by the Marco Goldschmied Foundation, rewards the best examples of projects that have a construction budget of less than £1 million (US$1.62M). The prize, set up in memory of the teenager who was setting out on the road to becoming an architect when he was murdered in 1993, is intended to encourage fresh talent working with smaller budgets.

The shortlisted projects are drawn from RIBA award-winning buildings presented earlier this year (previously on Bustler). The 2012 panel of judges includes architects Phil Coffey, Marco Goldschmied and Doreen Lawrence.

Hill Top House

Location: Oxford, UK
Architect: Adrian James Architects
Client: Private
Contractor: Carter Construction
Consultants: Baqus Sworn King, Price & Myers
Contract Value: confidential
Date of completion: August 2011
Gross internal area: 180 sq m

The architects describe this scheme as ‘an essay in concrete for clients who relish the uncompromising ascetic quality of the material’. The four level house follows a rigorous plan with double volume corridors either side of a circulation and services core. Despite the small footprint, the abiding impression is one of space flowing in all directions.

The construction employs large precast panels for the party walls. This enabled the main structure to be built very quickly. Altogether a tour-de-force in urban residential design.

Hill House

Location: Kent, UK
Architect: Hampson Williams Architects
Client: Private
Contractor: Qube Special Projects
Structural Engineer: Webb Yates Engineers
Services Engineer: Eng Design
Contract Value: confidential
Date of completion: February 2012
Gross internal area: 335 sq m

The brief called for a house that reflected the environmental sensitivities of the client, was contemporary in design, honest in its expression both of form and material and rooted in place. As with all private houses the type of spaces and their arrangement is intensely personal, and the design process sought to be open, collaborative and flexible.

The house was conceived as a primarily timber construction. By using re-cycled excavation material as a retaining wall the carbon footprint was kept low and the project on budget. The beautifully crafted all plywood interior creates a simple, serene series of interconnected spaces. The ambitious in-situ welded steel stair is a dramatic sculptural element contrasting with the warmth of the plywood surrounding it on all sides.

Kings Grove

Location: 16A Kings Grove, London SE15, UK
Architect: Duggan Morris Architects
Client: confidential
Contractor: ME Construction
Structural Engineer: Lyons O'Neil
Gross Internal Area: 140 sq m
Contract Value: confidential
Cost per Sq m: £2,285 (US$3,710)
Occupation Date: July 2010

This is a taut, exemplary response to the development of a landlocked site: an intelligent house built by an architect couple for themselves.The site, reached by a narrow lane, is contained by back gardens.

The house demonstrates a highly disciplined attention to detail in the design and the immaculate quality of the construction. All fitting-out responds absolutely to the brick module of the enclosure. A simple palette of materials is employed - exposed brickwork, oak storage wall panels, stairs and flooring and dark stained timber framed bespoke glazing. There is a playful use of brass in the glazing trim and the taps, and more play in the pink flesh colored shower interiors.

Dellow Day Centre

Location: 82 Wentworth Street, London E1, UK
Architect: Featherstone Young
Client: Providence Row
Structural Engineer: Conisbee
Environmental Engineer: FES (Future Energy Surveys)
Quantity Surveyor: Burke Hunter Adams
Contractor: John Perkins Projects
Gross Internal Area: 366 sq m
Contract Value: confidential
Occupation Date:November 2011

The Marquis Hotel & Restaurant Alkham

Location: Dover, Kent, UK
Architect: Guy Hollaway Architects
Client: Private
Contractor: GSE Design and Build
Structural Engineer: A J Locke Consulting Engineers
Services Engineer: Bryant and Reina Group
Contract Value: confidential
Date of completion: November 2011
Gross internal area: 235 sq m

Previously refurbished by the same architects, due to the success of the Grade II Listed restaurant ‘The Marquis’ has now been extended to provide additional hotel rooms, improved staff facilities and an enlarged kitchen.

The new building ties into its surroundings with the use of locally sourced flint and Kent Peg Tiles reclaimed from the demolished cottage that used to be on the site. A sedum roof also meshes it into the landscape. A fine example of good architecture engendering business success.

All images courtesy of RIBA.