AECB members, Koru Architects in Hove have been awarded the RIBA Downland Prize 2011 for sustainability for their house/studio in Hove.

The Downland Prize for Architects is awarded annually to a Chartered Architects based in south east England.  It celebrates the added value that an architect brings to relatively small project (total cost under £1.5 million) and the ‘chemistry’ between architects, clients, contractors and suppliers of successful buildings.

The house/studio project cleverly makes use of a constricted, sloping site through split-level design and creates a series of interesting, unique spaces.  A top lit vertical circulation volume floods the house with daylight and acts as the ‘lungs’ by ventilating and cooling the spaces on warm days.  Glazing to the south-facing rooms maximises passive solar gain, and a roof-integrated solar pv and thermal array provides part of the family’s electricity and hot water, the mains grid and a biomass boiler covers the shortfalls in winter.

Mark Pellant and Abi Torr, directors of Koru Architects have over a decade’s experience in the design and construction of low energy, sustainable buildings.  They combine inspiring design with indepth knowledge of sustainable building technologies.  For further information please refer to their website www.koruarchitects.co.uk.