A discreet private house in Northumberland has been named as the North East’s Building of the Year in a prestigious set of awards celebrating the cream of architectural accomplishment.
Mono House, which lies behind a line of mature trees on the outskirts of a Northumberland village, has been handed the top title at the RIBA North East Awards. Judges praised the Donald Architecture-designed property as having an “unwavering commitment to detail that is in equal parts exquisite and understated”, bringing “harmony and serenity to the whole building”.
The house is just one of five winners in the region. This year’s cohort mark the 60th anniversary of the awards, which recognise the best architecture across the UK and are said to capture the shifting expectations of what architecture can contribute to society.
Locomotion New Hall © David Grandorge (left), The Limeworks © Matthew Smith (right). Bottom row: Walled Garden Auckland Castle © Dan Kerr (left), Mono House © Nick Guttridge (right).(Image: Royal Institute of British Architects)
The full list of winners include:
The Limeworks by StudioNorth winner of the Client of the Year and Small Project of the Year awards for its transformation of a Northumberland farmstead into contemporary homesNewcastle Courtyard House by Miltiadou Cook Mitzman and Musson Brown Architects. An accessible, light-filled courtyard houseThe Walled Garden, Auckland Castle by MawsonKerr Architect, winner of the Conservation AwardLocomotion New Hall by AOC Architecture, winner of the Sustainability Award and Project Architect of the Year winner sponsored by Lumion –Hannah Stringer.Mono House by Scott Donald Architecture, winner of Building of the Year sponsored by dormakaba.
Andrew Thompson, RIBA North East Jury chair, and associate at Faulkner Browns, said: “This year’s awarded projects are eclectic by almost every measure; yet this seemingly sporadic collection of projects are tied together by a strong sense of care and craft. Care over things that many wouldn’t notice, care over decisions taken purposefully at every stage, care for their clients, and care for the planet.
“Each project marries technical prowess with creative and playful design to produce buildings which delighted and surprised the jury on our visits. All of the awarded projects are also underpinned by wonderfully human stories. Great buildings are for living, and this year’s awards showcase the diversity and joy of living in the North East.”
Chris Williamson, RIBA President, said: “This is a landmark year for RIBA as we mark 60 years of our awards and the impact of past winners on society. Over six decades, the awards have charted a cultural journey across the UK, reflecting how architecture has responded to changing needs in education, industry, work and home life.
“Today, as in 1966, we celebrate architecture that sets new standards for how we live and shape our communities – and reminds us just how important it is to keep raising the bar.”
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