Home extension or renovation competition - Grand Designs magazine

CLOSED | Home extension or renovation competition

Enter your home or design project for New London Architecture's Don't Move, Improve awards.

By Hugh Metcalf |

It’s your chance to enter a home extension or renovation competition. The Don’t Move, Improve! awards is an initiative by New London Architecture.

In 2020 life became more home-focused. For many people the pandemic led to a change in their relationship with their home. Some took the opportunity to renovate their property to adapt to a changing way of life. If your home has seen a dramatic renovation or extension, and you’re based in London, why not enter the Don’t Move, Improve! awards?

Now heading into its 11th year, the Don’t Move, Improve! awards is an initiative by New London Architecture. It champions the best and most innovative home extension or renovation projects across London.

black cladded extension with side return - grand designs

Gellatly Road by DELVE was on the 2020 shortlist. Photo: Emanuelis Stasaitis

Who can enter?

The home extension or renovation competition is open to architecture practices, build studios and homeowners who have carried out extensions. They can be on top of, underneath and on the side/back of buildings. The competition is also open to interior insertions, conversions, and garden studios.

The judges are looking for homes that demonstrate creativity and originality. Also, high-quality design, cost-effectiveness and environmental awareness. They will also look at the context of each design and what it adds to the character of the surrounding neighbourhood.

creative extension with terrazzo walls and green aluminium doors - grand designs

Gundry + Ducker’s The White Rabbit House won the Unique Character award in 2020. Photo: Andrew Meredith

Entries for the 2021 competition and programme are now closed. Sign up for the NLA newsletter for news about next year’s competition

It’s your chance to enter a home extension or renovation competition. The Don’t Move, Improve! awards is an initiative by New London Architecture.

In 2020 life became more home-focused. For many people the pandemic led to a change in their relationship with their home. Some took the opportunity to renovate their property to adapt to a changing way of life. If your home has seen a dramatic renovation or extension, and you’re based in London, why not enter the Don’t Move, Improve! awards?

Now heading into its 11th year, the Don’t Move, Improve! awards is an initiative by New London Architecture. It champions the best and most innovative home extension or renovation projects across London.

black cladded extension with side return - grand designs

Gellatly Road by DELVE was on the 2020 shortlist. Photo: Emanuelis Stasaitis

Who can enter?

The home extension or renovation competition is open to architecture practices, build studios and homeowners who have carried out extensions. They can be on top of, underneath and on the side/back of buildings. The competition is also open to interior insertions, conversions, and garden studios.

The judges are looking for homes that demonstrate creativity and originality. Also, high-quality design, cost-effectiveness and environmental awareness. They will also look at the context of each design and what it adds to the character of the surrounding neighbourhood.

creative extension with terrazzo walls and green aluminium doors - grand designs

Gundry + Ducker’s The White Rabbit House won the Unique Character award in 2020. Photo: Andrew Meredith

Entries for the 2021 competition and programme are now closed. Sign up for the NLA newsletter for news about next year’s competition

What are the prizes?

As well as an overall winner, prizes are awarded for Unique Character, Urban Oasis of the Year, Compact Design of the Year, Best Project under £100K, Environmental Leadership and Materiality and Craftsmanship. A new category for WFH Design of the Year reflects the growing adaption of our homes for new working practices.
Winning and shortlisted designs will feature in the NLA’s central London gallery, as well as in the Don’t Move, Improve! magazine. Winning practices will also be offered a 12-month NLA membership. Plus, opportunities to participate in industry events and showcase their work to a wider audience through the national press. The overall winner will also feature in Grand Designs magazine.

How to enter

Head to New London Archicture’s Don’t Move, Improve! awards page for more information on submitting an application.
There is an entry fee to apply. Submission costs £79+VAT for NLA members and £99+VAT for non-members. The person submitting must give details of all consultants and team members working on the project, and must have sought the written permission of the client.
Entrants also agree that NLA is granted non-exclusive reproduction rights to all entries for any NLA advertising, promotion, exhibition, print publications, internet and press materials. Entrants must have permission from the photographer for the reproduction of all imagery for use relating to these purposes.

For more inspiration for unique home extensions, read Grand Designs magazine digitally for free now by registering your details. 

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