Home Extension of the Year (up to 2,500 sq. ft)
Winner : “Old Apple store" by Selencky Parsons
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The Old Apple Store project exemplifies how a thoughtful redesign can transform a dated house into a modern, sustainable home. This project, by dynamic architecture and design studio Selencky Parsons involved refurbishing an existing house and integrating it with a new, expansive extension around a central courtyard, framed by a vintage brick garden arch and a glass link. The extension's triple-pitched roof, rotated 90 degrees from the original design, captures sweeping garden and countryside views while maximising natural light.
The project preserved the charm of the original house while adding a contemporary extension that harmoniously blends with its historic features. To address sustainability, the existing structure was retrofitted with additional insulation, and the extension was designed with high-performance insulation and energy-efficient glazing. An air source heat pump replaced the old oil heating system, and 16 photovoltaic panels were installed, producing 4,966 kWh of energy annually.
The project significantly reduced embodied carbon by retaining and enhancing the existing structure, and its net energy usage stands at 36 kWh/m², close to the 2030 RIBA target. Additionally, the design team minimised steel use, cutting CO2 emissions by 3.5 tonnes. The result is a unified, energy-efficient home that respects its past while embracing the future.
WHAT THE JUDGES SAID:
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The Old Apple Store is a fantastic example of a contemporary extension within the historic setting of a cottage garden. The form of the building is striking and bold, with the stepping gables giving a unique character and preserving the sense of structures within a garden in this rural location.
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I enjoyed the grouping of buildings in relation to the historic structure, which create an interesting and unusual set of spaces that have a strong relationship with the landscape.
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The rearrangement of the property is fantastic, creating an impressive flow from the front door through the existing house to the new extension.
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