RIBA House of the Year 2025
Did you watch Channel 4’s Grand Designs, RIBA House of the Year just before Christmas? Here are our five favourite builds from the short-listed buildings…
Amento, Suffolk by James Gorst Architects
A retirement cottage with a zoned, walled layout, designed around views and how you actually move around a house. We’ve worked next to a James Gorst-designed home before and they’re an amazing architectural studio! The attention to detail is something else.
Caochan na Creige, Outer Hebrides by Izat Arundell
A picturesque self-built on a remote Scottish island. This house disappears into its landscape in the best possible way. It’s not showy, just beautifully framed views and a layout that feels natural. This house was the judges favourite and won the RIBA House of the Year 2025.
Cast Corbel House, Norwich by Grafted
A contemporary extension to a Victorian home that works perfectly. The red brick detailing looks both contemporary and in-keeping which is not easy to do. We’d love to do something similar one of our Victorian or Edwardian projects – this is really appropriate for the East Midlands style of heritage building.
Catching Sun House, Walthamstow by Studio Shaw
Built on a former MOT garage plot, this house fills a tricky, enclose site with natural light. What an oasis. Proof that a difficult brief can produce brilliant solutions.
Ferry House, Salisbury by AR Design Studio
Accessibility and long-term liveability built in from the start, stunning materials and views to match. Exactly the kind of holistic thinking we try to bring to every project.
It’s incredibly rare we show other peoples work on our website and we think that’s the right thing to do, after all we’re selling what we do and our experience. But we don’t work in a vacuum and seeing great architecture like this is inspiring to our ongoing work. It reminds us why we love what we do. Which one’s your favourite?
If you’d like to watch these programmes, they’re still on Channel 4’s on demand player here: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs-house-of-the-year
Want to discuss your grand design?
At Swain Architecture we are experts in self-build and new-build homes and have helped many clients create their dream home. Our expertise ensures:
- 1. Seamless Planning & Approval
- 2. High Quality Architectural Design
- 3. Expert knowledge of Construction and Sustainable Best Practice
If you’re considering a self-build or home extension in the East Midlands, we’d love to help you bring your vision to life. Your first step is to drop us a line.
Get in touch
New-build Homes Designed by Swain Architecture
Ask Izzy!
Recently, we asked our social media audience for their questions about architecture or construction? We put these to Swain Architecture Founding Director, Izzy Rhodes and here are her thoughts…
Is hiring an architect actually worth the money for a small extension?
Izzy: Honestly, it depends what you want to create? If you’re replacing like-for-like or adding a small practical room, you might be okay with a good, reputable builder. We’re not here to design boxes.
However, if an extension is going to be part of your daily living space, a kitchen-diner, a garden connection, or a family hub, hiring an architect isn’t an added cost, it’s a cost-saver!
How much does it cost to hire an architect?
Izzy: In general we split our work into:
1. pre-application: the concept and design stage to create something that works for you and
2. a details stage to enable you to achieve planning permission and for your builder to work with on-site.
In general we charge in the region of 10% of the construction cost but it can vary depending on your brief and needs.”
Are there any ‘hidden’ cost of building that nobody tells you about?
Izzy: The 3 biggest surprises tend to be:
1. Building Costs (particularly groundworks)
2. Fees & Taxes (Permissions, and VAT on materials / labour)
3. Other Professionals (eg structural engineers)
If I have a £50k total budget, is it better to move or extend?
Izzy: That’s tight, for £50k, it’s almost always better to move IF your only priority is adding more space!
Is a kitchen island always a good idea, or do they waste space?
Izzy: Absolutely NOT! A kitchen island isn’t always a good idea. It really depends not he space and shape you have. Our job is to ensure your building is functional and feels generous, regardless of its size.
How do I hide the mess in an open-plan living space?
Izzy: One of my musts in a building is thought through storage. Often forgotten, secret pantries, utilities and good joinery are worth their weight in gold!
Do I need Planning Permission for a loft conversion?
Izzy: Usually, no, provided you comply with Permitted Development rights including getting Building Control approval
What is the biggest mistake you see homeowners make?
Izzy:
1. Prioritising form over function
2. Not considering a realistic budget
3. Confusing a builder and an architect
4. Not having a clear goal
5. Not considering day-today life
Do you have any burning questions?
At Swain Architecture we are experts in planning and construction. Our expertise ensures:
If you’re considering a project in the East Midlands, we’d love to help you bring your vision to life. Your first step is to drop us a line.
Get in touch
A selection of Swain Architecture projects
