Best Residential Project 2025 – 8 Moorlands Close
Brockenhurst House at 8 Moorlands Close originated as a distinctive 1970s chalet-style property, set on the edge of Brockenhurst in the heart of the New Forest National Park. The clients brought the property with a clear vision: to transform the aging structure into a spacious, energy-efficient lifelong home.
Their ambition was to extend and reimagine the existing house to deliver a home that could support their evolving needs while remaining true to principles of beauty, sustainability, and architectural integrity.
The finished project is a highly efficient, future-proofed home that delivers lasting value without compromising aesthetics or comfort. The design demonstrates how renewable technologies and sustainable construction methods can be integrated seamlessly into high-quality residential design.
The design includes 200mm of external wall insulation; high performance triple glazing throughout; a new warm-deck roof system and underfloor insulation; air source heat pump with underfloor heating, and solar panels with battery storage.
Careful window placement, shading and natural ventilation ensure that temperatures remain comfortable throughout the year, without the need for mechanical cooling.
The judges described the design, by Southampton architects Studio BAD, as a ‘noteworthy blend of modern, forward-thinking ideas’ that respects the local vernacular through its choice of materials and strong environmental credentials.
They commended an approach that follows the government’s guidance on embodied carbon (the emissions linked to building materials and construction), by keeping and reusing existing structures wherever possible rather than replacing them. They were especially pleased to see a retrofit scheme on a more typical modern home found within the New Forest.
