Northern Ireland property wins Grand Designs house of the year 

A three bedroom property, with white rendered, concrete walls in Co Down, Northern Ireland, which cost £335,000 to build, has been named Grand Designs House of the Year.

The shortlist for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)’ House of the Year were billed as the most ‘down to earth’ homes – however they included a 21st century manor house – with a Y-shaped lay-out and free-flight ‘Harry Potter’ stairs and what has been labelled as a Ghost house, a property which had several storeys below ground level, and a concrete garden space, which features pools of dyed black water.

Grand Designs: House of the Year, which aired tonight on Channel 4, saw Kevin McCloud and his co-presenters, architect Damion Burrows, and design expert Michelle Ogundehin, visit the final five homes on the shortlist and also reveal the winner. 

The home which took the title, House Lessans in Saintfield, is a one-level property which boasts huge ceiling heights inside, and was built to compliment the functional barn it sits next to.  

While the ceilings are towering, the property is understated, with the bedrooms modest and only one bathroom in the property. When the RIBA judges visited the property they said it was ‘unfussy but sophisticated’. 

THE WINNER  

A three bed-roomed property with white rendered, concrete walls in Co Down, Northern Ireland, which cost £335,000 to build has been named Grand Designs House of the Year

Tonight's Grand Designs: House of the Year, which aired tonight on Channel 4, saw Kevin McCloud and his co-presenters, architect Damion Burrows, and design expert Michelle Ogundehin, visit the final five homes on the shortlist and also reveal the winner. House Lessans in Saintfield from the outside

Tonight’s Grand Designs: House of the Year, which aired tonight on Channel 4, saw Kevin McCloud and his co-presenters, architect Damion Burrows, and design expert Michelle Ogundehin, visit the final five homes on the shortlist and also reveal the winner. House Lessans in Saintfield from the outside 

In Northern Ireland, House Lessans in Saintfield, was built to complement the functional barn it sits next to. The one-level property boasts huge ceiling height inside and has separate sleeping and living zones

In Northern Ireland, House Lessans in Saintfield, was built to complement the functional barn it sits next to. The one-level property boasts huge ceiling height inside and has separate sleeping and living zones

While the ceilings are towering, the property is understated, with the bedrooms modest and only one bathroom in the property, something the owners say they asked for to 'save on cleaning'

While the ceilings are towering, the property is understated, with the bedrooms modest and only one bathroom in the property, something the owners say they asked for to ‘save on cleaning’

Kevin McCloud called the property a masterclass in 'grey minimalism' with the colour used on both the inside and out

Kevin McCloud called the property a masterclass in ‘grey minimalism’ with the colour used on both the inside and out

The home, House Lessans in Saintfield, which has separate sleeping and living zones, unusually also has modest-sized bedrooms and only one bathroom; with the owners specifying they didn’t want en-suites because ‘it adds to the cleaning’.

When presenter Kevin McCloud visited the property on the show he called it a masterclass in ‘grey minimalism’  – with the colour used on both the inside and out. 

It beat other properties on the shortlist which included Hannington Farm in Northamptonshire – a 21st century manor house is created from rubblestone and also the Restorative Rural Retreat in the Isle of Man  – which is cleverly built into the landscape with a huge horizontal window, giving it the illusion of being a bird watcher’s hide.

RUNNERS UP  

Hannington Farm, Northamptonshire 

Hannington Farm, Northamptonshire: This 21st century manor house is created from rubblestone, a material that has been used in this rural portion of England for centuries. The understated exterior belies a sophisticated interior that has seen the home listed as one of the properties vying to win the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)' House of the Year

Hannington Farm, Northamptonshire: This 21st century manor house is created from rubblestone, a material that has been used in this rural portion of England for centuries. The understated exterior belies a sophisticated interior that has seen the home listed as one of the properties vying to win the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)’ House of the Year

The home, owned by couple Giles and Polly is set in acres of green Northamptonshire countryside and takes a Y-shaped form

The home, owned by couple Giles and Polly is set in acres of green Northamptonshire countryside and takes a Y-shaped form

Presenter Kevin McCloud loved the 'free-flight' stairs likening them to something 'from a Harry Potter movie'

The living quarters of the property, which boasts a 'fun-block' that includes a gym as well as an 'apartment-style' master bedroom with mezzanine

Presenter Kevin McCloud loved the ‘free-flight’ stairs likening them to something ‘from a Harry Potter movie’ Right: The living quarters of the property, which boasts a ‘fun-block’ that includes a gym as well as an ‘apartment-style’ master bedroom with mezzanine

 The Secular Retreat in South Devon 

Down in South Devon, the Secular Retreat, designed by world-renowned architect Peter Zumthor rises 'like a pre-historic stone dwelling from the landscape'

Down in South Devon, the Secular Retreat, designed by world-renowned architect Peter Zumthor rises ‘like a pre-historic stone dwelling from the landscape’

The property, which lies between Salcombe and Hallsands, has a private hilltop location with vast gardens and sea views

The property, which lies between Salcombe and Hallsands, has a private hilltop location with vast gardens and sea views

 Hill House Passivhaus, East Sussex

The family home was constructed on the site of a former dilapidated chicken shed in the east Sussex countryside

The family home was constructed on the site of a former dilapidated chicken shed in the east Sussex countryside

Hill House Passivhaus on the South Downs near Lewes was applauded by RIBA for creating a self-build eco-home on a modest budget of just £250,000

Hill House Passivhaus on the South Downs near Lewes was applauded by RIBA for creating a self-build eco-home on a modest budget of just £250,000

Camden mews property 

Congruous to its setting, this Camden home, which was designed by its resident, engineer Max Fordham, is a perfect example of how homes should function, with many suggesting the eco-friendly property should be a blueprint for future houses

Congruous to its setting, this Camden home, which was designed by its resident, engineer Max Fordham, is a perfect example of how homes should function, with many suggesting the eco-friendly property should be a blueprint for future houses

All of the windows in Max Fordham's Camden mews property feature automated insulated shutters to keep heat in

All of the windows in Max Fordham’s Camden mews property feature automated insulated shutters to keep heat in

Ghost house, Warwickshire  

The concrete 'Ghost House' was one of the homes which which is shortlisted  on Grand Designs: House of the Year

The concrete ‘Ghost House’ was one of the homes which which is shortlisted  on Grand Designs: House of the Year

The home features several storeys below ground level, including this stunning concrete garden space, which features several pools of dyed black water

The home features several storeys below ground level, including this stunning concrete garden space, which features several pools of dyed black water 

The Greenhouse, Devon 

The Greenhouse, in Devon, was build into the landscape on a site gifted to homeowner Jessica by her late father shortly before he passed away

The Greenhouse, in Devon, was build into the landscape on a site gifted to homeowner Jessica by her late father shortly before he passed away 

The house features an enormous window running through the centre, creating a kind of 'glass jam' to the house, and giving the home the sense of 'being in the treetops'

The house features an enormous window running through the centre, creating a kind of ‘glass jam’ to the house, and giving the home the sense of ‘being in the treetops’

The Silverhow House  

The Silverhow house is comprised of an ancient coach house and a modern barn-like structure which are interconnected with a glass bridgeway (pictured, owners Emma and David with their stunning home)

The Silverhow house is comprised of an ancient coach house and a modern barn-like structure which are interconnected with a glass bridgeway (pictured, owners Emma and David with their stunning home)

 Kenwood Lee in London

Kenwood Lee, in London, may appear relatively normal from the outside, but it features a stunning glass back and incredible subterranean basement

Kenwood Lee, in London, may appear relatively normal from the outside, but it features a stunning glass back and incredible subterranean basement 

The couple's home manages to reflect the proportions of double fronted neighbours, but with added modern features including huge glass windows and dormers

The couple’s home manages to reflect the proportions of double fronted neighbours, but with added modern features including huge glass windows and dormers 

Restorative Rural Retreat, Isle of Man

The stunning kitchen living area in the Restorative Rural Retreat features a huge horizontal window running around the property from which the nature-loving owners watch the birds

The stunning kitchen living area in the Restorative Rural Retreat features a huge horizontal window running around the property from which the nature-loving owners watch the birds 

The Restorative Rural Retreat in the Isle of Man is cleverly built into the landscape with a huge horizontal window, giving it the illusion of being a bird watcher's hide

The Restorative Rural Retreat in the Isle of Man is cleverly built into the landscape with a huge horizontal window, giving it the illusion of being a bird watcher’s hide 

Minimalist concrete home in Earls Court 

Meanwhile Earl's Court House was strangely inspired by Fred Flintstone, with it's 'very heavy' concrete structure, and stunning glass walls

Meanwhile Earl’s Court House was strangely inspired by Fred Flintstone, with it’s ‘very heavy’ concrete structure, and stunning glass walls 

Meanwhile the bedrooms have a similarly chic and modernist style, with few decorations, painted white walls and concrete columns dominating the space

Meanwhile the bedrooms have a similarly chic and modernist style, with few decorations, painted white walls and concrete columns dominating the space 

The Timber house in London 

The Timber house in London was inspired by homes which may have sat on the sight in the 17th and 18th century, and is built around a stunning courtyard on the site

The Timber house in London was inspired by homes which may have sat on the sight in the 17th and 18th century, and is built around a stunning courtyard on the site 

Kevin McCloud compared the home to a 'little Eden', although the couple said they had faced their fair share of headaches around the project

Kevin McCloud compared the home to a ‘little Eden’, although the couple said they had faced their fair share of headaches around the project 

 Flint family house, Hampshire 

The Hampshire House was created out of a natural palette of materials, with large windows maximising the stunning views of the local scenery

The Hampshire House was created out of a natural palette of materials, with large windows maximising the stunning views of the local scenery 

The double height kitchen in the centre of the home was compared to a 'chapel', with an enormous vaulted ceiling and stunning oak finish

The double height kitchen in the centre of the home was compared to a ‘chapel’, with an enormous vaulted ceiling and stunning oak finish 

Black rock home, Isle of Sky 

The Black Rock home on the Isle of Skye is built into a hollow of rock by the side of a lake, and sits perfectly into the landscape

The Black Rock home on the Isle of Skye is built into a hollow of rock by the side of a lake, and sits perfectly into the landscape 

The main living area looks out over a stunning lake, with homeowner Julian admitting the view was 'the focus point of the house'

The main living area looks out over a stunning lake, with homeowner Julian admitting the view was ‘the focus point of the house’ 

 Cork House, Berkshire

The Cork House, in Berkshire, is made entirely from cork blocks stacked upon one another, with huge sky lights acting like 'paper weights' to keep the property from blowing away

The Cork House, in Berkshire, is made entirely from cork blocks stacked upon one another, with huge sky lights acting like ‘paper weights’ to keep the property from blowing away 

Meanwhile the interiors of the home are simplistic and chic, with large windows allowing light to flood into the space

Meanwhile the interiors of the home are simplistic and chic, with large windows allowing light to flood into the space 

 Microhome Pocket House, in South London

Microhome Pocket House, in South London, was built within the confines of an old garage, and sees almost 50 per cent of it's living space in the basement floor, which is below the ground

Microhome Pocket House, in South London, was built within the confines of an old garage, and sees almost 50 per cent of it’s living space in the basement floor, which is below the ground 

Every element of the home has been designed in order to maximise space and light, with the main living area on the first floor of the two-bedroom house

Every element of the home has been designed in order to maximise space and light, with the main living area on the first floor of the two-bedroom house 

 Nithurst Farm in Sussex

Meanwhile Nithurst Farm in Sussex is another of the experimental homes on the long list for the award, with the architect Adam Richards admitting he wanted to create a 'modern house wrapped in a roman ruin'

Meanwhile Nithurst Farm in Sussex is another of the experimental homes on the long list for the award, with the architect Adam Richards admitting he wanted to create a ‘modern house wrapped in a roman ruin’

The main room in the house is a huge 'great hall' inspired living space, which features smaller practical areas, such as utility room and a study, coming off it

The main room in the house is a huge ‘great hall’ inspired living space, which features smaller practical areas, such as utility room and a study, coming off it 

Lark Rise, in Chiltern Hills 

Half home and half power station, Lark Rise, in Chiltern Hills, is also featured on the longlist for the award

Half home and half power station, Lark Rise, in Chiltern Hills, is also featured on the longlist for the award 

Stack Yard, in Derbyshire

Contemporary cottage Stack Yard, in Derbyshire, was the fifth home featured on the programme, and was praised for it's innovative design while blending into a small country village

Contemporary cottage Stack Yard, in Derbyshire, was the fifth home featured on the programme, and was praised for it’s innovative design while blending into a small country village 

The home features a small courtyard space, which also contains a miniature vegetable patch and green house

The home features a small courtyard space, which also contains a miniature vegetable patch and green house

 

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