LABC Building Excellence Awards 2025 winner: Best Individual New Home

LABC is delighted to announce that the WINNER of the Best Individual New Home is Branksea Avenue, Dorset.

This project delivered a sustainable, harbourside with key design principlkes focused on creating a strong connection between the house and sea views, whilst ensuring the design respected the character and appearance of its waterside setting.  

In addition to its thoughtful design, the house is a model of sustainability. Photovoltaic panels and battery storage provide more than enough energy to meet the home’s needs and generate 115.18% of the overall energy demand through renewables. The use of air-source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points further demonstrates the home’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

This open and responsive approach from BCP Council’s building control department built a strong working relationship, allowing issues to be resolved early, and ensured inspections and approvals went ahead without delays - helping to keep the project on track and fully compliant.

The judges commended this project for its exemplary integration of architectural ambition, environmental responsibility, and technical rigour.  

“The dwelling delivers a refined contemporary design that both enhances and respects its harbour-side context while maximising natural light and panoramic waterfront views. Its fabric-first performance, renewable technologies generating over 115 percent of predicted energy use, and carefully coordinated construction quality demonstrate outstanding execution. This project sets a benchmark for sustainable coastal living and represents an exceptional collaboration between design and construction teams.” 

A range of categories celebrated on the night highlight the diverse portfolio of projects delivered within the industry alongside the project teams that are committed to delivering compliant and high-quality buildings for our communities.  

Full list of LABC Building Excellence Awards Grand Final award winners: www.labc.co.uk/awards