We have a winner: Flint House is named the 2015 RIBA House of the Year

After weeks of anticipation, build-up and weekly announcements that kept us at the edge of our seats, the 2015 RIBA House of the Year – formerly known as the Manser Medal – has been finally unveiled. The Flint House by London firm Skeen Catling de la Pena has been crowned this year's winner, receiving one of the UK's highest honours in residential design.
The Buckinghamshire building, a structure designed to function as a guest house for the estate it sits in, including an annex, is an ode to flint, celebrating the use of local materials and site specific design.
Made out of masonry with flint cladding, the house takes its cue from local geology. The architects cleverly shaped the house with an angled roof and placed its slanted flint form on the flat landscape, making sure the rooms inside and the openings frame the nature in the best way. Set to be used for artists for local residency programs, the house will also serve as accomodation for friends and family of the estate.
The final nominee for the shortlist was also announced tonight, it was the Mill House in the Scottish Borders by WT Architecture. The skilful transformation of an old mill into a modern holiday retreat won praises for its masterful modernisation, while keeping the existing structure's character.
It joined Flint House, Sussex House in West Sussex by Wilkinson King Architects, House at Maghera by McGonigle Mcgrath, Kew House by Piercy & Company, Levring House by Jamie Fobert and Vaulted House by vPPR Architects (all these in London) in the running for the coveted accolade.
The building operates as a guest house for the Waddesdon estate and is made of masonry with flint cladding .
Referencing the site's flint geology, this house is strongly linked to its surroundings. Inside the spaces are carefuly planned to frame the nature.
The house, which will be used as accomodation for family and friends of the owners, as well as artists taking part in local residency programs, was created using the skills of specialist crafstmen.
The final nomination for the shortlist, also announced this week, is The Mill, on the Scottish Borders.
Designed by WT Architecture, the project involved the conversation of an old mill into a modern, rural retreat.
The structure was modernised but also maintains elements of its original character.
INFORMATION
For more information on the award visit the RIBA website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Saatchi Gallery is in full bloom with floral works from Vivienne Westwood, Marimekko, Buccellati and more
‘Flowers – Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture’ at Saatchi Gallery, London, explores the relationship between creatives and their floral muses, and spans from fashion and jewellery to tattoos
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Modena Automobili transforms the 1990s-era Maserati Shamal into a cutting-edge restomod
The MA-01 Maserati Biturbo Shamal gives Marcello Gandini’s iconic 1990s design a fresh lease of life, with uprated engineering, electronics and style
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
‘Strangeness is a necessary ingredient in beauty’: Aesop’s new floral perfume Aurner refuses to conform
Aesop’s new floral perfume Aurner is described as a ‘defiant bloom’. Its creator Céline Barel tells Wallpaper’s Hannah Tindle why the fragrance refuses to conform
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
Young Climate Prize 2025 winners: the creatives designing for a better tomorrow
The winners for the Young Climate Prize 2025 cycle by The World Around have been announced, crowning a new generation of changemakers; we go behind the scenes and reveal the process and winners
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
And the RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2025 goes to... SANAA!
The RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2025 winner is announced – Japanese studio SANAA scoops the prestigious architecture industry accolade
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
The RIBA House of the Year 2024 winner is a delightful work in progress
The winner of the RIBA House of the Year 2024 is Six Columns in south London – the home of architect and 31/44 studio co-founder William Burges
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
RIBA International Prize 2024 goes to 'radical housing' in Barcelona
RIBA International Prize 2024 has been announced, and the winner is Modulus Matrix: 85 Social Housing in Cornellà, designed by Peris + Toral Arquitectes in Barcelona
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Meet the 2024 Royal Academy Dorfman Prize winner: Livyj Bereh from Ukraine
The 2024 Royal Academy Dorfman Prize winner has been crowned: congratulations to architecture collective Livyj Bereh from Ukraine, praised for its rebuilding efforts during the ongoing war in the country
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
RIBA House of the Year 2024: browse the shortlist and pick your favourite
The RIBA House of the Year 2024 shortlist is out, celebrating homes across the UK: it's time to place your bets. Which will win the top gong?
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
2024 Obel Award goes to 36x36 by Colectivo C733 in Mexico
The 2024 Obel Award winner has been announced, crowning 36x36 by Colectivo C733 in Mexico as this year's recipients
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
The 2024 RIBA Reinvention Award, Muyiwa Oki, and making reuse ‘more special than ever’
The shortlist for the 2024 RIBA Reinvention Award has been announced today; we caught up with the institute’s president Muyiwa Oki to discuss the honour
By Ellie Stathaki Published