Phil Wright

Philip Wright is Director of Projects at RedBook Agency and has practised as an architect for over 10 years with experience delivering high-value residential projects for Mike Spink across London and the UK with world-leading design firms. He leads RedBook's Projects team, guiding clients from early feasibility and planning strategy through consultant appointments, procurement and delivery. Philip is known for combining design rigour with practical programme and cost oversight, helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions throughout the process. The RedBook Agency is a unique property consultancy, committed to changing the way property projects are delivered by introducing clarity, efficiency, and eliminating unknowns. They provide projects with a team expertly curated from over 150 vetted design & delivery firms. Whatever your design style, personality, location or budget, they deliver best-in-class, tailored options for all clients.

What top tip would you give to this year's entrants?

My main advice to entrants would be to tell the story of the home clearly. Awards submissions are often full of beautiful images, but the best projects also explain the thinking behind them: who the home is for, what problem it was solving, what constraints shaped the design, and how the final outcome has improved the way people live. I would encourage entrants to focus on purpose, not just appearance. A successful home is rarely about style alone. It should demonstrate an understanding of the client, the site, the context, the budget, the programme and the practical realities of everyday life. The strongest schemes are those where the design feels both beautiful and inevitable, where every decision has a reason behind it. Be honest about the challenges. Complex planning issues, difficult existing buildings, sensitive heritage contexts, budget pressures, sustainability ambitions or demanding briefs can all make a project more interesting, not less. Judges want to understand the journey, not just the finished product. I would also suggest showing how the home works beyond the hero shots. How does it support family life, privacy, entertaining, retreat, flexibility, ageing, wellbeing or changing patterns of living? The British Home Awards are about homes, so the lived experience really matters. Finally, I would advise entrants to evidence quality. That might be through craftsmanship, material choices, environmental performance, clever spatial planning, landscape integration, or the way the team protected the original design intent through delivery. Great residential design requires imagination, but it also requires care, discipline and follow-through. Ultimately, the most compelling entries will be those that show not only design ambition, but a genuine understanding of how homes shape people's lives.