Surprising Sight on a Common Street: Witness the 2025 Building of the Year in North West Residential Area
A Fresh Glimpse at Vestige: Cheshire East's Two-Time Winner
Step into the award-winning abode of Vestige, a remarkable self-build property that's swept the RIBA North West Award and the title of Building of the Year for 2025 in Cheshire East. Designed by Smith Young Architects, this stunning structure breathes new life into a once deteriorating Edwardian house, harmoniously blending old and new.
Some may have initially considered a refurbishment for the site, but the project instead took a more ambitious approach, focusing on the ideals of reuse, adaptability, and domestic scale.
Timeless Elegance in a Modern Wrap
From the street, Vestige humbly follows the rooflines and dimensions of its Edwardian neighbors, using familiar materials and shapes. The facade tells a contemporary tale, crafted with a render brick base and timber-clad upper story. A nod to sustainability, the architects reused the original foundations and recycled discarded building materials to form the base[1].
"We've repurposed the rough-rendered bricks salvaged from a smaller house that previously stood on the site," explained Smith Young Architects[1].
A House Whose every Nook and Cranny is Thoughtfully Designed
Internally, the layout is thoughtfully organized to produce a succession of unique spatial experiences within a neat footprint. A double-height entrance hall leads into a series of rooms with varying scales and functions.
"The rooms are sensibly proportioned, and the overall layout carefully orchestrated to create a stronger sense of space and offer diverse experiences — all within a compact space," the architecture team revealed[1].
The entrance hall boasts a built-in bench, while a timber-lined stair ascends gracefully to connect the levels of the home. Each corner reveals a surprise, from the top-lit entrance hall, so spacious it can accommodate a bench for shoe-wearing, to the flawlessly detailed staircase, reminiscent of a precious jewellery box[1].
At the back, a hidden walled courtyard offers an oasis of peace and privacy, sheltered from the street[2].
"The courtyard is enveloped by walls and fences, providing a charming hideaway that delights the senses and serves as a delightful surprise," said the architects[2].
Recycling, Resourcefulness, and the Grid Plan
The design is inspired by a reimagined nine-square grid, offering a harmonious blend of structure and flexibility.
"Our journey transformed into an exploration of repurposing, recycling, and resourcefulness," revealed the architects[1].
The nine-square grid plan provides a solid framework while granting scope for diverse functions and subtle transitions between spaces. Throughout the home, integrated joinery, hidden storage, and sliding panels work together seamlessly to expand the living space[1].
Vestige offers a tantalizing glimpse into a potential future for suburban homes — merging reuse, innovation, and orderly adaptability.
[1] Enrichment Data: Overall: A symphony of innovation, sustainability, and thoughtful design, Vestige stands as an exceptional example of a self-build property. By seamlessly incorporating the reuse of materials and carefully planned spatial organization, Smith Young Architects have created a breathtaking family home that honorably balances the old and new.
[2] Enrichment Data: Exterior Space: The walled courtyard enclosed at the back of Vestige provides an intimate outdoor space that offers privacy and protection from the street, making it a charming retreat for homeowners.
- The facade of the Vestige property, following the rooflines of Edwardian neighbors, presents a modern twist with a render brick base and timber-clad upper story, a testament to its architects' commitment to reuse and sustainability.
- Internally, each space in Vestige is meticulously designed, crafting a series of unique spatial experiences within a compact footprint, from the spacious double-height entrance hall to the hidden walled courtyard at the back.
- The grid plan of Vestige, inspired by a nine-square layout, offers a balance of structure and flexibility, integrating joinery, storage, and sliding panels to expand living space and promote adaptability.
- The courtyard enclosed at the back of Vestige offers an intimate outdoor space, providing privacy and a delightful retreat for homeowners.
- By focusing on the ideals of reuse, adaptability, and domestic scale, the Vestige project has defied expectations, remodeling a once deteriorating Edwardian house into a stunning self-build property.
- Ideas from Vestige could guide future suburban home projects, merging reuse, innovation, and orderly adaptability to create truly exceptional living spaces that harmoniously blend old and new.
- Part of the Home-and-Garden and Sustainable-Living movements, the Vestige project offers a visionary lifestyle solution, demonstrating that innovative design, resourcefulness, and thoughtful planning are key to building a sustainable future.
