2023 Houses Awards: Sustainability

Jury comment

The words “refresh,” “renew” and “refurbish” don’t wholly elucidate the new state of this wonderfully crafted home. This careful rehabilitation of a 1970s home honours and elevates the original design, the lived experience of the home and the environment that it sits in.

Honest and hand-built, homes of this era can feel ephemeral, and many exist on borrowed time. But those who have lived in similar dwellings will feel a warm appreciation for this considerate renovation, which will steward the house into a new era. This is a project that authenticates the sustainable message of repair over rebuild. Resisting the urge to extend down, up or out, the architect-owners have attentively and deliberatively ensured that this home delivers a new standard for comfort, bettering the performance of its contemporaries as well as new builds.

This sensitive restoration rectifies the lacklustre environmental performance of the original structure, enabling better quality of living. The owners are to be commended for their significant efforts to bring new life to existing elements, such as replacing glazing but preserving original hardwood frames. The home has been converted to all-electric power, cavity walls have been properly insulated, new inclusions have been consciously selected and waste has been minimized. Respectfully restored original handmade elements are paired with beautifully crafted new details, achieving a home that is sure to stand the continual test of time.

The Award for Sustainability is supported by Sussex. See full image galleries of all the winning and shortlisted projects here.

Monty Sibbel is built on the land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.

Project credits

Project team: Bradley Mitchell, Kerli Valk Joinery construction: Bricolage