Home Transformation of the Year (up to 2,500 sq ft)

Winner: Vaulting Loft by MATA Architects

Vaulting Loft is a top-floor home transformation in a converted Victorian house in Hampstead, reworking a constrained roof space into a more generous and highly resolved residence. The project reorganises the internal plan to improve flow, increase usable area and create a clearer relationship between living, sleeping and circulation zones. A key part of the brief response is the reconfiguration of the roof form, which enables a stronger spatial structure and a more effective use of the apartment's existing shell.

The design centres on a vaulted composition that introduces height, light and a distinctive architectural character. A timber insert acts as a practical organising device, gathering storage and access functions into a compact core while leaving the main living spaces open and calm. The mezzanine adds an additional layer of accommodation and makes the most of the new volume, while the warm timber finishes and exposed structure provide texture against the lighter interior palette.

Beyond the internal changes, the scheme improves the building's performance through a replaced roof build-up and a green roof, supporting better thermal efficiency and biodiversity. Judges praised the project for its spatial intelligence, confident handling of volumes and beautifully crafted detailing, describing it as a standout example of how a roof transformation can unlock exceptional drama, clarity and comfort within a tightly constrained historic home.

Judges were especially positive about the uplifting sense of space created by the double-height centre, the expressive structural treatment and the contrast between generous communal areas and more intimate private rooms. The project was widely regarded as ambitious, coherent and technically accomplished, with the panel highlighting its careful integration into the existing house and its strong overall sense of design quality. 

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: