Inside the 'true London oasis' named House of the Year 2023

Named, the Green House, it's been hailed as a “true oasis” in London as judges described the home as a “domestic greenhouse” and an “extraordinary ordinary house".

The house is a revamped terraced home and won House of the Year by the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba).

The five-bedroom property, tucked away down an alleyway in Tottenham and delivered by Hayhurst & Co, features polycarbonate panels and is screened with dense planting.

The home is in Tottenham. (Image: PA)

London home awarded House of the Year

The home is located in the Clyde Circus Conservation Area, the house also has a roof terrace and surrounding greenery, as well as roof-lights in the atrium, and was “built on a very tight budget”.

The home is owned by photographer Tom van Schelven and Amandine Neyses.

The pair used the space and ceiling height for photo shoots and as a stage for children’s drama performances, according to Riba.

See inside the home. (Image: PA)

The materials used include cross-laminated timber walls, which Hayhurst and Co said holds 39 tonnes of sequestered carbon, reclaimed concrete blocks and recycled cork rubber flooring that Riba says is energy efficient.

Air-source heat pumps and solar panels are also used to boost the property’s green credentials.

The house was highly commended at the 2022 British Homes Awards and won a 2021 Haringey Design Award.

Chairwoman of the jury, Dido Milne, a director at CSK Architects, said: “Green House, affectionately known as the Tottenham Riad, is a true oasis within the city. It is both airy and cosy, bold yet respectful of its neighbours.

The house uses Air-source heat pumps and solar panels. (Image: PA)

“Your eye is simultaneously drawn upwards to the open sky and down and out across the living room to verdant greenery.

“The close architect and client relationship, with a joint desire to deliver a truly sustainable home, is evident in all of the design decisions and details.

“On a confined urban site, the house was delivered to a tight budget with an economy of means – and it remains richer for it.

The home beat a renovated Devonshire cow shed (Image: PA)

“Nowhere do you feel the site or budget was restricted. It feels both luxurious, homely, deeply private and relaxing. It’s an extraordinary ordinary house and a remarkable collaboration.”

The home beat a Riba shortlist which included a renovated Devonshire cow shed, from David Kohn Architects, which featured lights once used to warm calves, and a fortress-like home on the banks of Loch Awe in Scotland from architects Denizen Works.

Last year’s winner was the Red House in Dorset.