CATEGORY WINNERS
BEFORE
BOW END BARN
BILLINGHURST
Bow End Barn at Pear Tree Farm was restored through a conservation-led approach that transformed a derelict agricultural building into a sustainable family home while preserving its historic character. Significant structural repairs, traditional materials, and sympathetic detailing ensured compatibility with the original fabric and compliance with modern regulations. Off-grid renewable energy systems, reclaimed materials, and breathable construction methods supported environmental sustainability. The project successfully combines heritage conservation, craftsmanship, and ecological responsibility,
creating a functional home that respects both the historic farmstead and surrounding landscape.
Submitted by: Tracey Poulton, Pear Tree Farm
Architect/Designer: Tracey Poulton with Nye Saunder
Project Manager: Tracey Poulton
Contractors: Selection of carefully chosen artisans by Tracey
BEFORE
CLAY HOUSE
BALCOMBE
The restoration transformed a water-damaged cottage into a sustainable, future-proof guest house while respecting its historic setting. A whole-building approach upgraded insulation using breathable wood fibre and clay plaster, improving thermal performance and humidity control. Original character was reflected in materials like ceramic brick tiles, while new double-glazed windows enhanced efficiency. The layout was reoriented for light, access, and usability, with improved connections to the gardens, ensuring a sensitive yet robust restoration suited to long-term residential use.
Submitted by: Silke Stevens Design
Architect / Designer: Silke Maria Stevens
Main Contractor: Helme + Hallett
Project Manager: Greg Fenn (Helme + Hallett)
Subcontractors: Clayworks
Other: David Jenkins (Contract administrator)
BEFORE
COMPS COTTAGE
BEDDINGHAM
Comps Cottage underwent extensive renovation following structural damage caused by subsidence. After stabilisation works, including piling completed in February 2024, a full refurbishment transformed the property into a modern three-bedroom home by October 2025, including the integration of solar slates. A fabricfirst approach improved thermal efficiency through breathable insulation, lime render, and a fully insulated floor slab. An air source heat pump with underfloor heating replaced oil heating. Careful design preserved historic features while enhancing layout, comfort, and sustainability, alongside landscaping improvements to the surrounding paddock.
Submitted by: Glynde Estates
Main Contractor: Glynde Estates
Project Manager: Mr Jason Lee
Sub-contractors: Morcon foundations (Underpinning) | Sussex Heating (ASHP installers) | Matt Sharp (General Plumbing) | Dan Klassen (Electrics) | Clement windows (Doors/windows) | Simon Watkin (Flint work) | Mark Watts (Ground works) | Steve & Luke Baldwin (Plastering/Rendering) | Mr Michael Langdon (Carpentry) | Emma Taylor (Interior Design)
Other: Ellis Structures (structural engineers).
INTERIOR
NORTH PALLANT COURTYARD HOUSE
CHICHESTER
A courtyard is created when the new extension – a replacement of a 20th Century unsympathetic one – is set apart – rather than attached – from the historic fabric, preserving its integrity and legibility. One can now appreciate the features of the heritage assets, both house and enclosing wall, from inside the extension or its roof terrace. Material choices subtly reference the site’s and city’s past, while the overall approach prioritises conservation, clarity, and a respectful dialogue between old and new. The project delivers a sensitive intervention of a Grade II listed building, reinstating its historic plan form and reversing unsympathetic 20th-century alterations. Careful interventions restored original features, room proportions, and circulation, enhancing the building’s heritage significance.
Submitted by: Adriana Cepeda Bejarano
Architect / Designer: Adriana Cepeda Bejarano
Project Manager: Johnnie Kennedy
Other: Emma Jane Kennedy (Interior Design)
BEFORE
OLD BAKERY
LINDFIELD
The restoration of The Old Bakery, a Grade II* medieval building in Lindfield, carefully balances conservation and modern living. Dating from circa 1360, the project involved repairing historic timber framing, reinstating lime plaster, and preserving original features including fireplaces and glazing. Using traditional materials and reclaimed elements, the team resolved structural and moisture issues while enhancing performance. Discreet modern interventions ensure comfort, creating a sustainable family home that respectfully safeguards the building’s heritage and community significance.
Submitted by: Stephen Yeomans
Architect / Designer: Lana Yamak-Laity
Main Contractor: Dewclass Building Services
Project Manager: Stephen Yeomans
Subcontractors: LOUIS The Kitchen Makers, Kitchen cabinetry and bespoke joinery | Ollie Bringloe, Timber repairs | Michael Stenning Roofing, Heritage Roofing Specialist | Michael, Plastar Services, Traditional Lime Plastering | New Timber Forge, Metalwork and Ironmongery | David Hagemeyer, Joinery – Windows
Other: David Simmonds, McCarey Simmonds Structural Engineers | Maggie Henderson, Heritage Consultant
BEFORE
COASTAL MANOR HOUSE
CHICHESTER
The project carefully adapts a Grade I listed house to modern family living while respecting its historic hierarchy. Structural reconfiguration created a larger, light-filled kitchen and living space, unified by a central vaulted roof and English oak glazed screen connecting the space to the gardens. Traditional materials, including reclaimed clay tiles and leaded windows, were used throughout. Sensitive planning, heritage-led design, and sustainability upgrades ensured the building’s character, performance, and setting were preserved and enhanced.
Submitted by: Richard Meynell Ltd
Architect / Designer: Richard Meynell Ltd
Main Contractor: AIM Heritage & Development
Project Manager: Mickey Jury – AIM Heritage & Development
Other: Archibald Shaw Horizon Design (Structural Engineer) | BAQUS (Quantity Surveyor) | Smith Simmons (Planning)
BEFORE
SCOTLAND FARM
MIDHURST
Scotland Farm is a thoughtfully crafted Sussex farmhouse by Nicholls, designed by Ian Adam- Smith, a collection of buildings around a central courtyard. Drawing on South Downs agricultural forms, the scheme combines brick, stone and exposed timber with refined detailing to achieve a contemporary yet authentic character. Careful planning, execution and landscape integration ensure the home sits naturally within its rural setting, while high achieving construction methods and sustainable systems deliver comfort, efficiency and lasting quality.
Submitted by: Nicholls Countryside Construction Limited
Clients: Mr Matthew & Mrs Caz Eames
Main Contractor: Nicholls Countryside Construction Limited, www.nichollsltd.com
Architect: Ian Adam-Smith, www.ianadam-smith.co.uk
Project Manager: Jonny Gowing
Other: Whaleback. www.whaleback.co.uk (Planning Consultants) | Mike Brindley, The Brindley Partnership. www.brindleypartnership.co.uk (Quantity Surveyor) | Nic Howard, We Love Plants. www.we-love-plants.co.uk (Garden design) | Nicholls Boreholes and Ground Source. www.nichollswater.co.uk (Mechanical)
Site Manager: Ian Thurston
Assistant Project Manager: Hannah Pasfield
HIGHLY COMMENDED
BEFORE
GABLE END COTTAGE
MAYFIELD
The project involved extensive restoration, reinstating two cottages into a single dwelling in line with its historic form. Significant structural repairs addressed subsidence at the rear and poorly altered timber framing that had caused movement. A comprehensive remedial scheme stabilised and strengthened the building while preserving its character. The attic was sensitively converted into a new room, ensuring additional space without compromising the property’s historic integrity or architectural significance.
Submitted by: The Oak Blokes Ltd
Architect / Designer: Lana Yamak-Laity
Main Contractor: The Oak Blokes Ltd
Project Manager: Lewis Fish
Subcontractors: Aaron Lyons Plumbing,Ryan Carter.
Other: Roger Bunney, EAR Sheppard (Structural engineer) | Lana Yamak-Laity (Principal designer)
BEFORE
HARTING DOWN
MIDHURST
The restoration involved extensive repair and enhancement of the existing structure, carefully retaining original stone walls and improving their performance with breathable insulated plasters. Unsympathetic additions were assessed and either removed or sensitively renewed. Traditional detailing, including hand-finished reveals, reinforced the building’s character. New work incorporated reclaimed bricks, tiles, and site-won stone to blend seamlessly with the original fabric. Together, these interventions stabilised, upgraded, and extended the building while preserving its historic integrity and environmental performance.
Submitted by: AIM Heritage & Development
Architect / Designer: Hattie Rolls (Client) & Douglas Briggs
Main Contractor: AIM Heritage & Development
Project Manager: Chris Sanders (AIM) | Hattie Rolls (Client)
Subcontractors: Marble M&E | SFPR | Mac Plastering | Phillips Decorators | MCD Tiling
Other: Jeff Thompson, Grant Associates
INTERIOR
PICKERIDGE FARM
ARDINGLY
At Pickeridge Farm in the High Weald, a sensitive restoration and extension transformed a sixteenth-century farmhouse and its outbuildings into a coherent, working rural complex. A carefully crafted new entrance and “walled garden” dining space feature exposed brickwork and timber joists, while oak from a fallen on-site tree was seasoned and handcrafted into structural and interior elements. Traditional materials, refined detailing, and sustainable upgrades combine to create a unified, enduring, and environmentally responsive setting.
Submitted by: Dow Jones Architects
Architect / Designer: Dow Jones Architects
Main Contractor: Comber & Son
Subcontractors: Clarke Roofing, Heathfield (Roofing Contractors) | Bauder intensive planted flat roof | Wood and Wisdom Joinery, Balcombe | Schueco doors and windows | Kettley floor tiles
Other: HT Partnership (Structural engineers) | P3R (Building services) | BLB, Brighton (Quantity surveyors)
KITCHEN
WRETHAM HOUSE
FOREST ROW
An early 20th-century house was thoughtfully upgraded and extended to suit modern living while respecting its character. The design reconfigured the fragmented layout, introducing a central library and a kitchen extension that strengthens the connection to the garden through timber framing, brick detailing, and expansive glazing. Bespoke oak joinery showcases skilled craftsmanship throughout. Comprehensive thermal improvements, including insulation upgrades, new glazing, and renewable energy systems, enhance performance, creating a comfortable, efficient home adapted for contemporary life.
Submitted by: Nicolas Pople Architects Ltd
Architect: Sophie Woodhatch, Nicolas Pople Architects
Main Contractor: Douch Partners
Site Manager: Ric Smith
Subcontractors: InWood Developments (Glulam Specialists) | Ritchie Brickwork (Brickwork)
Other: David Flower (QS) | RID Struthers (Structural Engineer)