Hebron House is a sensitive yet forward-thinking transformation of a Victorian home in London, designed to enhance spatial efficiency, sustainability, and well-being. It retains historic character while introducing a reconfigured plan anchored by an exposed brick spine that runs from basement to roof light, creating a legible vertical axis and unifying the home.
The reimagined ground plane prioritises adaptability and connection. A freestanding preparation table offers flexible cooking and gathering, while a glass-roofed dining area brings daylight deep into the plan. Large pivot doors open to a landscaped garden where traditional brick walls meet contemporary interventions, forming a calm outdoor room and extending daily living into the landscape.
Sustainability is embedded through a deep, breathable retrofit that improves thermal performance without compromising original fabric. Gas has been replaced by an air source heat pump paired with mechanical ventilation and heat recovery to optimise indoor comfort and efficiency. Carefully positioned glazing and an openable roof light limit reliance on artificial lighting and cooling. A small green roof and a rainwater-fed pond contribute to biodiversity and responsible water management, supporting a healthier home environment and long-term resilience.
The reconfiguration is conceived to support well-being and everyday adaptability. A sequence of visually connected volumes encourages calm circulation and social interaction, while tactile materials and controlled views create a sense of retreat. The plan enables spaces to flex between family life and quiet work, with generous ventilation strategies promoting comfort throughout the year.
Judges highlighted the spatial choreography, the seamless inside-outside experience, and the crafted structural resolution. They praised the coherent integration of new and existing levels and the composition of voids and vistas. The retrofit ambition and execution were commended as setting a high bar for sustainable home transformation, with several describing Hebron House as a benchmark and a worthy winner. One judge remarked: “A clever, thoughtful and stunning design which innovates with use of materials, light and sustainable design - creating seamless transitions through the spaces and demonstrates a good retrofit design standard.”
