The Architectural Review has announced the AR House Awards winners for 2019, General Design Co’s house in Kamitomii, Kurashiki, Japan has been announced as the winner, while two projects receive Highly Commended Awards and three projects receive Commended Awards. 

Now in its tenth year, the AR House awards are diverse and wide-ranging, often branching beyond the traditional remit of the dwelling. AR House recognises originality and excellence in the design of dwellings of all types, budgets and locations. 

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. 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.

Past winners include David Chipperfield Architects, John Lin, and Matharoo Associates, placing the house as a key rite of passage for architects that offers genuine potential for innovation and the opportunity to ferment and crystallise new ideas.

See the full winners below:

House in Kamitomii, Kurashiki, Japan / General Design Co.. Image © Daici Ano

House in Kamitomii, Kurashiki, Japan / General Design Co.. Image © Daici Ano

Winner: House in Kamitomii, Kurashiki, Japan by General Design Co.

General Design Co have transformed an old house in Kamitomii, paring back an assemblage of additions built over generation 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 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," said Takeshi Hayatsu.

Beate Hølmebakk described the project’s "responsible attitude and able approach towards history, memory, conservation, community and sustainability".

Stephen Tayloralso commented: "The house in Kamitomii is a very beautiful construction whose new elements entangle themselves intelligently and poetically with the old."

Hamra studio residence in Gotland, Sweden /Collectif Encore. Image © Michel Bonvin

Hamra studio residence in Gotland, Sweden /Collectif Encore. Image © Michel Bonvin

Highly Commended: Hamra studio residence in Gotland, Sweden /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."

81 Hollybrook Grove in Dublin, Republic of Ireland / David Leech Architects. Image © David Grandorge

Highly Commended: 81 Hollybrook Grove in Dublin, Republic of Ireland / 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."

Cloister House in Perth, Australia / MORQ. Image © Givlio Aristide

Cloister House in Perth, Australia / MORQ. Image © Givlio Aristide

Commended: Cloister House in Perth, Australia / 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."

Song House in Shanghai, China / AZL Architects. Image © Yao Li

Song House in Shanghai, China / AZL Architects. Image © Yao Li

Commended: Song House in Shanghai, China / AZL Architects

A house for three generations in the shifting fringes of Shanghai. Stephen Taylor: "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."

Strip House in Aichi, Japan / Kochi Architect’s Studio. Image courtesy of the AR

Strip House in Aichi, Japan / Kochi Architect’s Studio. Image courtesy of the AR

Strip House in Aichi, Japan / Kochi Architect’s Studio

A house of interlocking planes rather than traditional walls. Takeshi Hayatsu: "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."

The winning and commended projects are all published in full in the AR’s July/August 2019 issue. The issues can be purchased from here. Please see all winners here. 

> via The AR