Ripped: Inspiration for Re-design

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the shortlist for the 2014 RIBA Manser Medal, the UK’s most prestigious housing design award. Each project has been chosen by looking at the architects success in adding real value to the homeowner’s happiness and wellbeing as well as ticking the boxes for originality, ingenuity and innovation.

The inspiring list of finalists this year are from all around the the British Isles and include a summer house by the sea on the south coast, a refurbished ‘black-house’ on the Isle of Tiree; a futuristic double height extension of a Georgian Villa in north London; a striking brick house wedged into a difficult site in Barnes village; a minimalist hidden home cut into the cliffside on the Isle of Skye and a contemporary castle nestled on a hillside in the Gower peninsula are all in the running.

The winner of the The RIBA Manser Medal winner will be announced on 16 October at the RIBA in London and the full shortlist is below:

• Cliff House, Isle of Skye, Scotland by Dualchas Architects
• The Kench in Hampshire by MELOY Architects
• Lens House in north London by Alison Brooks Architects
• Luker House in Barnes, south west London by Jamie Fobert Architects
• Stormy Castle in Gower, Wales by Loyn & Co Architects
• House No 7, Isle of Tiree, Scotland by Denizen Works

I dare you not to feel inspired by these images. Go on,  give into those Thursday afternoon daydreams of designing your own bespoke house…