AR House 2019 winners revealed

General Design Co have transformed an old house in Kamitomii, paring back an assemblage of additions built over generations to restore it to its original dimensions and create a space defined by openness and simplicity. In contrast to the general trend in Japan to demolish old houses and build afresh, the original roof was carefully preserved, a new structure of slender timber columns constructed beneath.

The winning house design was chosen by a judging panel including London-based Japanese architect Takeshi Hayatsu, co-founder of Norwegian practice Manthey Kula, Beate Hølmebakk, and British architect Stephen Taylor. Over 200 entries were received from around the globe and considered by the judges, who were looking for ingenious and pioneering houses that seek to push the type forward.

Takeshi Hayatsu said of the winning project that ‘the renovation of the house in Kamitomii addresses a pressing housing market issue in Japan, where the value of houses reduces as they get older, and quietly suggests a different form of living, which allows for co-existence with history and surrounding context.’

Beate Hølmebakk described the project’s ‘responsible attitude and able approach towards history, memory, conservation, community and sustainability’. Stephen Taylor also commented: ‘The house in Kamitomii is a very beautiful construction whose new elements entangle themselves intelligently and poetically with the old’.

The winner is joined by two Highly Commended projects; Hamra studio residence in Gotland, Sweden by Collectif Encore – a bold concrete house in the Gotland landscape which blurs the boundary between inside and out. Takeshi Hayatsu: ‘The project in Hamra in Sweden offers delightful moments to its inhabitants, creating an enigmatic form with a playful attitude towards details.’ Beate Hølmebakk: ‘The project promotes a collaborative process and a humble attitude to the role of the architect.’

Also Highly Commended is 81 Hollybrook Grove in Dublin, Republic of Ireland by David Leech Architects – a suburban house with a twist, open to the garden on the ground floor with an enclosed nest of bedrooms above. Stephen Taylor: ‘Hollybrook Grove is modest, made of simple materials, belying the wealth of ideas that combine to create a very good work of architecture.’ Beate Hølmebakk: ‘Hollybrook Grove is an undogmatic and eclectic approach to an everyday challenge, revealing architectural potential in pragmatic tasks.’

Three additional projects were also commended by the jury, including Cloister House in Perth, Australia by MORQ – an enclosed house in a suburb of Perth with a lush courtyard at its heart. Beate Hølmebakk said ‘The Cloister House displays the result of a close collaboration between client and architect, offering plenty of space and material qualities, which successfully fulfils the client’s wishes.’

Also Commended is Song House in Shanghai, China by AZL Architects – a house for three generations in the shifting fringes of Shanghai. Stephen Taylor said ‘The plan of the Song House offers an interesting typology for multi-occupancy living, suggesting possibilities for collective habitation. The arrangement of spaces is loose yet specific and they come together to present an intriguing composition within the neighbourhood.’

The third project Commended in the AR House awards 2019 is Strip House in Aichi, Japan by Kochi Architect’s Studio – a house of interlocking planes rather than traditional walls. Takeshi Hayatsu said ‘I love the playful nature of this house. The simple spatial arrangement logic led to a super complex interior. The exterior treatment and positioning of windows is very skilful, and the slight offset of the geometry creates functional corners and useful surfaces.’