A BOLD country house designed by Skipton firm Rural Solutions has won a RIBA Yorkshire Award.
The house, in the Yorkshire Dales, was the only rural project and private home among the five winners in the region.
Malcolm Birks, head of design at Rural Solutions, said: “Winning this award is a fantastic outcome for this project and recognises the dedication of the whole delivery team.
“The scheme demonstrates how contemporary design can sit comfortably within a sensitive rural setting and with sustainability embedded into every detail.”
All regional winners will now be considered for a RIBA National Award, with the winners set to be announced on July 9.
The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize, awarded to the best building of the year, will be drawn from the national award recipients.
The country house was delivered under the ‘exceptional country house’ clause of the National Planning Policy Framework, which requires homes to meet exceptional architectural and environmental standards.
Rural Solutions secured planning consent and acted as delivery and technical design architect for the project, also serving as project manager and contract administrator.
The concept architect was Sadler Brown Architects-Group, with Dobson Construction as the main contractor.
Other contributors included Paul Waite Associates, Silcock Leedham, Quantum Arbiter, Kit Peel Landscapes, Abigail Yeates Architects, David Houldershaw Arboriculturist, Vanessa Rhodes Interiors, and Brilliant Lighting.
Set in a sensitive rural location, the house draws inspiration from the natural landscape, reflecting the contours of the land and the forms of leaves and water.
The restored Victorian garden forms part of the client’s commitment to rejuvenating the site’s historic character.
A 13-metre cantilevered balcony required a complex engineering solution, blending steel, timber, and concrete.
The building is also designed for net-zero operation.
Sustainability features include a living roof, water source heat pump, hydro-electric power from a valley stream, and the use of recycled materials such as decommissioned North Sea oil rig pipes.
Timber from the site’s woodland and green concrete were also used.
Mr Birks added: “It has been a truly collaborative experience, for a client who every day finds another aspect of the house and landscape to delight them.”
Charlotte Harrison, Yorkshire jury chair for RICS, said: “This house is a unique example of contemporary rural living – a home rooted in its place yet boldly of its time.
“The result is a home that is both intimately scaled and quietly confident, balancing craft, environmental performance and a distinctive regional character.”
The RIBA Yorkshire Awards have been running for 60 years and celebrate architectural excellence across the region.
Read More:
- Mystery parcel pop-up arrives at Bradford shopping centre tomorrow
- Man used homemade spycam to try film men weeing in the toilets at Bradford College
- Bradford school celebrates ‘Exceptional’ rating in all areas under new Ofsted regime
Rural Solutions, which works with clients across the UK, was recently bought by the Celnor Group.
Full details of the project are available at https://ruralsolutions.co.uk/projects/delivering-outstanding-design/
