This home in London’s Crystal Palace has won RIBA House of the Year

Six Columns, the architect Will Burges’ self-designed home in London, has been awarded the prestigious RIBA House of the Year 2024.

Situated on a compact, wedge-shaped plot in Crystal Palace, Burges envisioned and created the home alongside his studio, 31/44 Architects, to accommodate himself, his wife, and their two children.

The house takes its name from the six columns wonderfully integrated into its design. While it reflects the proportions and materials of the surrounding terrace houses, it stands out with its unique character, blending influences from classical and modern architecture.

“Six Columns is a beautifully crafted family home that cleverly incorporates Brutalist references and creative flourishes while retaining a strong sense of suburban belonging,” says RIBA President Muyiwa Oki.

He adds: “It shows what can be achieved when working with even the tightest of suburban sites, and its flexible, unfinished aesthetic offers a solution to future-proofed design: this is a home that can evolve with its occupants’ changing needs overtime.”

The interior of Six Columns is thoughtfully designed, combining warmth and functionality, and balancing exposed brickwork, spruce wood, and concrete to create a textured, welcoming environment.

This is the second year in a row that a London house has taken the crown, with the self-titled Green House in Tottenham coming out on top in 2023. A typical terraced house, it was described as a ‘true oasis within the city.’

Earlier this year, RIBA awarded their prestigious Stirling Prize, honouring excellence in British architecture, to the Elizabeth Line. Judges praised the 62-mile rail network’s “slick suite of architectural components”, in which “the typical commuter chaos is transformed into an effortless experience”.

“The Elizabeth Line is a triumph in architect-led collaboration, offering a flawless, efficient, beautifully choreographed solution to inner-city transport,” said Oki.

The Six Columns house triumphed over five other finalists, including projects by Surman Weston, Town Dowdall Architects, Hugh Strange Architects, Taylor Hare Architects, and Studio Brassica Architects.