Winners of New Forest Building Design Awards announced

Winners of New Forest Building Design Awards announced

The New Forest National Park Authority has recognised outstanding design in its 2023 Building Design Awards, including an energy efficient replacement home,  sympathetic conservation of a Grade II Listed home, and a veterinary building styled on a traditional threshing barn in a Conservation Area.

The annual awards celebrate high-quality design and the best new developments across the National Park, with nominations invited in several categories.

Best Green Building 2023 was awarded to Little Hill in Hyde. The residential scheme, designed by owner and architect David Hayhurst, replaced a run-down post-war bungalow with a highly energy-efficient home. The judging panel, made up of National Park Authority members, commended its form and positioning to get natural heat from the sun (‘solar gain’) while limiting light spill. Its use of sustainable materials and air source heat pump also impressed the judges.

David Illsley, NPA Policy and Conservation Manager, said: ‘Little Hill is a really positive example of a replacement dwelling in a rural Conservation Area that enhances the site through a design inspired by New Forest agricultural buildings. The new home achieves the highest energy performance rating.’

Highly commended in the Best Green Building category was residential building Pannage Green in Lyndhurst. David Lovegrove Architecture took a holistic design approach to the new-build property to include a rainwater harvester, heat vent recovery system, triple-glazed windows, wildlife boxes and a pond.

Best Conservation Scheme went to Wood End House near Lymington, a Grade II Listed building which had fallen into disrepair and had been unsympathetically altered in the past. Using a historic photo of the home as a guide, Ringwood-based Sheerin Bettle Architecture reintroduced a number of features including sash windows, original chimney designs, and heritage cast iron works.

The home’s historically-significant ceiling moulds and friezes were also painstakingly preserved, while outbuildings were newly-built from handmade bricks in keeping with the original home.

The judging panel praised the scheme’s attention to detail, adding that the conservation work had been carried out to the highest standard.

Best non-residential Building was awarded to Unit One, Forest Corner Farm near Ringwood. Local architects Sheerin Bettle designed the new reception, consulting area and surgery for an existing veterinary hospital; replacing a large dominating corrugated tin-clad grain store and mill building.

The award-winning scheme is based on the style of a Hampshire threshing barn with central opposing gables and large barn door openings.

David Illsley said: ‘The panel commended the building’s high energy efficiency standards, as well as its traditional detailing in keeping with its location in the Western Escarpment Conservation Area.’

Highly commended in the best non-residential building category went to an outbuilding within the grounds of the Grade II Listed Minstead Lodge. Winchester-based TKLS Architects designed a new toilet block and wet room in place of an existing small lean-to toilet and pottery kiln.

The judging panel was impressed with the simple form and detailing, materials and joinery which tied the design into the adjacent stable buildings.

Gordon Bailey, Chair of the New Forest National Park Authority’s Planning Committee, and a member of the Awards panel said: ‘Our role is to ensure that new developments make a positive contribution to the New Forest’s special character.

‘We’re pleased to reward these winning designs, which show how high-quality developments can conserve and enhance the National Park. Not only do they incorporate sustainable construction, lighting and materials, but their proportions and materials are sympathetic to their setting within the landscape and our villages.

‘Congratulations to the very worthy winners of these outstanding schemes.’

Prof. Gavin Parker, Chair of the New Forest National Park Authority, presented the awards at the Authority meeting on March 23. The plaques were made by New Forest company BearWood using sustainable local oak.

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