At home in the future

This year’s Mail on Sunday British Homes Awards are showcasing the Home For The Future. More than 30 architects submitted projects, with 9 of the best listed below and the winner due to be announced on May 31st at a gala dinner at the London Marriott. The winning entry will be “rolled out across the UK” and become the protoype for thousands of eco-homes.

Off-Grid can reveal that the winner is the recycled block-builtGreen House, designed by Ganyt Francis Architects.

Anna Scothern, co-organizer of the competition and Director of the National Centre for Excellence in Housing (based at the Building Research Establishment), would not confirm the identity of the winner but said that “a major housebuilder is planning to roll out thousands across Britain”. The housebuilder’s identity will also be announced on the 31st. “It’s one of the top five volume housebuilders” said Scothern.

The first prototype of the cheap, quickly-erected houses will be assembled at the Building Research Establishment in Garston, Hertfordshire, then replicated in hundreds, perhaps thousands, to produce housing in the Thames Gateway and the Olympics regeneration of East London.

Green House has recycled slag foundations, sheep-wool insulated walls and pitched roofs of photovoltaic panels and sedum. Music, TV and the internet can be accessed throughout, as can the security system. Internet-linked, energy-efficient kitchen appliances.

How it is built
Structural walls on the outside allow open-plan within. An airtight box, ventilation is by the central stairwell. A central computer, whose CPU heat also gives warmth, controls heating.

Eco features
Recycled block construction, underfloor heating, water recycling, automatic insulated shutters to cover double glazing for added heat control. Plant-sheltered roof terrace, green roof.

The Home For The Future Award aims to encourage homebuilders to think of new house types, as current housing stock (especially concrete homes) are responsible for 27% of Britain