The RIBA House of the Year 2023 has been awarded to Green House, a family residence in Tottenham, designed by Hayhurst & Co, which draws inspiration from nature.
Green House reinterprets the conventional terraced house by replacing an existing structure in a narrow alleyway in Tottenham, north London. Described by the jury as a ‘domestic greenhouse’ and an ‘extraordinary ordinary house,’ this Riad-inspired urban oasis is infused with greenery and natural light, achieved mostly through polycarbonate panels cladding and the lush foliage that surround the dwelling.
Situated in a Conservation Area in Tottenham, north London, Green House’s unassuming exterior conceals an exceptional, compact dwelling where double-aspect views of gardens and a roof terrace, underline its connection to the surrounding greenery. Rooflights in the atrium, introduce daylight into the heart of the home, creating dynamic shadows on the walls that evolve with each season.
The clients, Tom and Amandine, aimed to create an affordable, functional five-bedroom home for their growing family, emphasising spacious living, airiness, and access to nature. The latter is further amplified through a biophilic design approach, enhancing connections to the natural environment and challenging expectations of typical urban housing. References to the property’s historical surroundings, such as the atrium, bamboo planting, and sliding polycarbonate screens, blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. These elements also offer the family flexibility in adjusting privacy levels and ventilation.
The ground floor, meanwhile seamlessly integrates the kitchen, dining, and living areas, which can be partitioned by sweeping curtains. The design facilitates practicality, making the spaces exceptionally functional for the family’s lifestyle. Bold green-painted steel stairs define a vast central atrium leading to bedrooms and bathrooms, serving as a core feature.
Green House’s energy efficiency is maximised through intelligent material use, including Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) walls, reclaimed concrete blocks, and recycled cork rubber flooring. The central block form optimises energy efficiency, and the implementation of air-source heat pumps and solar panels further reduces energy demand.
“Green House, affectionately known as the ‘Tottenham Riad’, is a true oasis within the city. It is both airy and cosy, bold yet respectful of its neighbours. Your eye is simultaneously drawn upwards to open sky and down and out across the living room to verdant greenery,” said jury Chair, Dido Milne in a statement.
“The close architect and client relationship, with a joint desire to deliver a truly sustainable home, is evident in all of the design decisions and detailing. On a confined urban site, the house was delivered to a tight budget with an economy of means – and it remains richer for it. Nowhere do you feel the site or budget was restricted. It feels both luxurious, homely, deeply private and relaxing. It’s an extraordinary ordinary house and a remarkable collaboration.”
The RIBA House of the Year 2023 jury comprised: Dido Milne, Director of CSK Architects, Bev Dockray, co-founder of Coppin Dockray Architects, Jessam Al-Jawad, Director and co-founder of multi-disciplinary architecture studio Al-Jawad Pike and Albert Hill, co-founder of The Modern House and Inigo.
Watch a video on the winning house:
