{"id":595259,"date":"2026-05-21T00:12:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T00:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/595259\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T00:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T00:12:08","slug":"bradford-on-avon-architects-win-award-for-stunning-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/595259\/","title":{"rendered":"Bradford on Avon architects win award for stunning home"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n Sky House, designed by Klas Hyllen Architecture, whose practice is based in Bradford on Avon, took home a RIBA South West and Wessex Award 2026, and the RIBA South West and Wessex Sustainability Award 2026 at Royal Institute of British Architects\u2019 (RIBA) South West and Wessex awards ceremony on the evening of May 7.\n<\/p>\n

\n The home is described as \u201ca modest stepped 1970s bungalow nestled into a [South West] hillside,\u201d having been renovated by the architects with a strong focus on environmental principles.\n<\/p>\n

\n According to the firm\u2019s own description of the home, \u201cthe vast majority of the original building fabric has been retained. Layers of new insulation and re-cladding have transformed both the house appearance and performance.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n The description continues: \u201cDesigned to achieve a 90 per cent reduction in operational energy use, the project bettered this on completion, and in its first year of use operated on only 36kwh\/m2\/year.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cAll residual energy demand is met through a fossil-free air-source heat pump, whilst an MVHR system ensures consistent indoor temperature, excellent air-quality and stable humidity levels throughout the year.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n Describing the design concept behind the project, Klas Hyllen says: “The clients approached KHA wanting to transform a tired 1970s dwelling to better suit modern family life and to create a home environmentally fit for the 21st century.\n<\/p>\n

\n “Within its protective new envelope of super-insulated walls and triple-glazed windows, the house now offers exceptional thermal performance while preserving the original structural core.”\n<\/p>\n

\n \"TheThe south west home before the transformation. (Image: Dave Watts Photography\/Klas Hyllen)\n<\/p>\n

\n Full access to all of our articles online and on the app, fewer adverts, a better reading experience, exclusive competitions and more – all for less than the price of a cup of coffee. \u2615\ufe0fSubscribe now! – https:\/\/t.co\/t7A1ayW7mR<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Dk1fvaFm1K<\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n \u2014 Wiltshire Times (@wiltshiretimes) April 13, 2026<\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n Alongside Sky House, a\u00a0home\u00a0built\u00a0from rammed earth, Passivhaus student housing for the University of West England, and\u00a0the transformation of a former concert hall in Bristol,\u00a0were among the\u00a011\u00a0winners of the\u00a02026\u00a0RIBA\u00a0South\u00a0West\u00a0& Wessex\u00a0Awards.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n This year\u2019s cohort is particularly significant as the awards mark their 60th anniversary. Since 1966, the\u00a0RIBA\u00a0Awards have recognised the best architecture across the UK, capturing the shifting expectations of what architecture can contribute to society.\u00a0 \u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n The\u00a02026 South West\u00a0& Wessex\u00a0awards\u00a0were announced at a ceremony this evening (7\u00a0May), at which\u00a0Bristol\u00a0Beacon by Levitt Bernstein\u00a0was named as winner of\u00a0RIBA\u00a0South West\u00a0& Wessex\u00a0Building of the Year Award 2026.\n<\/p>\n

\n The jury praised\u00a0it as a\u00a0\u201cremarkable civic achievement and a testament to the dedication of a committed client, an exceptional team of architects and engineers, and a city that chose to invest in its cultural future by the reinvention of its past.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n The\u00a0winning projects were selected by an expert jury, who visited all shortlisted projects.\n<\/p>\n

\n \"TheThe outside of ‘Sky House’ post-renovation (Image: Dave Watts Photography\/Klas Hyllen)\n<\/p>\n

\n RIBA\u00a0South West\u00a0and Wessex jury chair,\u00a0Sam Goss, founding director at Barefoot Architects, said:\u00a0\u201cVisiting the Southwest and Wessex region’s award-winning projects was a powerful and often moving experience.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cA unifying thread across the winners is their engagement with a continuum of time. Many buildings were neither wholly old, nor new – but rather a careful weaving of historic fabric with contemporary intervention across buildings,\u00a0landscapes\u00a0and cityscapes.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cTogether, they present a compelling picture of architecture in the region as thoughtful,\u00a0responsive\u00a0and deeply rooted in space and time.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cIndeed, these outstanding projects show that to build well today is to\u00a0operate\u00a0within a trajectory; balancing past, present and future needs with confidence,\u00a0collaboration\u00a0and care.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cThe result is architecture that is sensitive,\u00a0sustainable\u00a0and richly engaging \u2013 uplifting places, people and the human spirit.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n RIBA president,\u00a0Chris Williamson, said:\u00a0\u201cThis is a landmark year for RIBA as we mark 60 years of our Awards and the impact of past winners on society.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cOver six decades, the Awards have charted a cultural journey across the UK, reflecting how architecture has responded to changing needs in education, industry,\u00a0work\u00a0and home life.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cToday, 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.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n