Dorset property featured on Grand Designs House of the Year

The Red House, an imaginative new brick building, is one of seven shortlisted for the award from the Royal Institute of British Architects which celebrates excellence and innovation in home design. 

Designed by David Kohn Architects on behalf of a private client, The Red House is described as a “playful take on the rural vernacular farmhouse” and features bold green eaves, doors and windows.

The ground floor enfilade plan is cleverly ordered by the storage cores, creating an informal but connected series of spaces, unified by the material approach and beautiful end-grain larch wood-block parquet.

It is both compact but well-proportioned with consideration given to future adaption and catering for elderly or less mobile residents and guests.

A description of the property reads: “The material palette may appear utilitarian and pragmatic, but care has been taken to coordinate and orchestrate the materials and flows throughout the house, especially in the joinery.

"A sumptuous stair drops down through a projecting bay window. 

“The clients’ requirements, specific and taste are evident throughout. The understated utilitarian appearance of the blockwork finishes and the contrasting artwork, furniture and inbuilt joinery, all successfully complementing one another. 

"Overall, this is a project full of delight and invention, pragmatism, and eccentricity along with knowing references, formal and informal gestures."

The seven shortlisted houses are being revealed on Grand Designs House of the Year which airs on Wednesdays at 9pm on Channel 4 with The Red House featured on the show on November 16.