Coastal House scoops Arnold Laver Gold Award at the Wood Awards 2017
Coastal House, Devon, by 6a architects has been awarded the Arnold Laver Gold Award—the winner of winners. The project is also the Interiors category winner. The judges were seduced by this entry while looking at the shortlisted builds. The interior of this house uses timber in several different ways to create a wonderful home which feels natural and unaffected.
Originally raised on a plinth above a basement, the ground-floor has been lowered to the level of the ground. This has increased the size of the rooms and created tall, elongated openings to the outside. A series of oak beams make up the exposed primary structure. The internal spaces have been completely reconfigured. Three floors on the north end of the house connect to two floors on the south. Each space has a distinct volume and ceiling height, with the central stair offering clear views through the whole house. Tapered oak verticals are used as supports throughout, including primary drawing room columns, external veranda posts and the stair spindles.
Read and download the full Coastal House case study here 
Winner: Coastal House, Devon
Winner: Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre & Museum
The judges selected Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre & Museum as the Commercial & Leisure winner as it does something highly unusual – it creates an abstract, numinous space using timber as an expressed structure.
Highly Commended: Hastings Pier and Command of the Oceans
Winner: Maggie’s Oldham
Maggie’s Oldham was chosen as the Education & Public Sector winner as dRMM have created a sensitive interior that is also a world-first.
Highly Commended: Cowan Court
Winner: Coastal House, Devon
Highly Commended: Nautilus
Winner: Hampshire Passivhaus
The winner of the Private category was Hampshire Passivhaus. The judges were impressed by the design, craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Winner: Feilden Fowles Studio
Feilden Fowles Studio was selected as this year’s Small Project winner. The judges praised the how simple yet beautifully thought through the project is.
Highly Commended: Belarusian Memorial Chapel
Winner: The Smile
The Smile was awarded this year’s Structural Award, which chosen from all the buildings shortlisted in each category. The judges were impressed by the ease with which The Smile rested in place which masked some impressive and complex engineering.
Winner: Time and Texture Installation (‘A Landscape of Objects’)
The winner of the Bespoke category is Time and Texture Installation (‘A Landscape of Objects’). The judges praised the beautiful body of work which shows control and expression of the material.
Winner: Narin Chair
The judges awarded the Narin Chair the Production Made award for its elegant, distinctive, logical and comfortable design.
Winner: Rustic Stool 1.0
People's Choice Award: Hex Drinks Cabinet
Within the Student Designer category there are two cash prizes; £1,000 for Winner and £500 for People’s Choice. Voting for the People’s Choice Award took place at the London Design Fair. The category winner was Mark Laban’s Rustic Stool 1.0. The judges praised this interesting new typology that creates a new aesthetic.
