The Royal Institute
of British Architects (RIBA) has announced that Caring
Wood by James Macdonald Wright and Niall Maxwell is the RIBA House of the
Year 2017.
The prestigious
award is presented annually to the best new house or house extension designed
by an architect in the UK.
Caring Wood
re-imagines the traditional English country house. It speaks of its time and
place: with a contemporary design that has clear links to the rural vernacular.
Inspired by the
traditional oast houses of Kent, the agricultural buildings for kilning hops,
Caring Wood revives local building crafts and traditions including locally
sourced handmade peg clay tiles, locally quarried ragstone and coppiced
chestnut cladding. The house comprises four towers, with interlinking roofs
like markers in the landscape, echoing other oast houses in the distance.
RIBA President Ben
Derbyshire said: “I am delighted that Caring Wood has been named RIBA House of
the Year 2017.
"It’s a house
built for multiple generations of a growing family and allows the owner’s
daughters, their husbands and their children to reside under one roof –
cleverly accommodating their desire to be together and their desire to be
apart. This ambitious house explores new architectural methods, materials and
crafts and allows us to question the future of housing and the concept of
multi-generational living. I’ve no doubt many of the ideas displayed at Caring
Wood will influence UK housing for many years to come.”
James
Macdonald-Wright, Macdonald Wright Architects said: “Sustainability in
architectural practice is expected, but I believe regionalism, craft and the
interpretation of the vernacular are also important. I’m delighted that, in
Caring Wood, they are being recognized. This project proves that, by joining
together, small practices can do big things. It was made possible by the
combination of an incredibly dedicated team and a uniquely supportive client.
I’d like to thank them.”
Niall
Maxwell, Rural Office said: “We’ve been winning awards for our projects since
we were founded 9 years ago, but we never anticipated winning such a
prestigious award so soon. This would never have happened without James
inviting us to work with him on Caring Wood. Collaboration with many talented
people enabled us to realise the design for this contemporary country house.
This demonstrates what small practices are capable of when given the chance by
enlightened clients."
