House of the Year (up to 2,500 sq ft)
Set along a west London canal, The Float House replaces a traditional barge to keep a family within its waterside cooperative. The brief prioritised level access and a healthier environment by raising living spaces above the waterline, avoiding the cold, damp conditions common to boats. The constrained, private mooring and its sensitive setting demanded a tailored solution that respects the character of the linear community while delivering a comfortable, future-proof home.
The architectural response is an elegant timber-slatted superstructure that balances visual restraint with utility. Material choice and detailing aim to harmonise with the canal landscape while providing durability and warmth. The calm, ordered composition supports everyday family life, coupling comfort and practicality with a refined aesthetic that suits the slender plot and ensures the home reads as part of its setting rather than a statement object.
Technically, the project centres on a bespoke modular hull designed to be serviced in situ, avoiding the disruption of removing the structure from the water. This innovation addresses access and maintenance constraints typical of tightly confined canals, enabling straightforward care over the building life. By elevating the internal floor level, the design also improves thermal comfort and accessibility in a way not usually achieved with conventional barges.
Conceived as a prototype, The Float House sets out a replicable model for dwellings on canals, rivers or lakes in difficult-to-reach locations. The approach combines practicality, efficiency and sensitivity to place, offering a blueprint for water-based homes that can meet evolving health and mobility needs without sacrificing character or quality.
Judges praised the scheme for its ingenuity, poise and clear mastery of constraints, highlighting a beautifully executed home that feels entirely at ease in its setting. They commended the calibre of collaboration and technical craft, the low-carbon material strategy and the evident care for later living. Several lauded the clarity of narrative and the integration of a tranquil garden, with more than one describing it as a standout, worthy winner. One judge remarked: “An outstanding and inventive scheme that reimagines what it means to live on a barge within a cooperative houseboat community.”
