'Homes of the future' shortlist revealed

Final designs for a RIBA-run competition to develop new housing types that explore materials, techniques and technology have been unveiled.

The Project 2020 initiative, being run in conjunction with housebuilder Taylor Wimpey, shortlists work by Artform Architects, Igor Russo with Flanagan Lawrence, More Design, NewGround Architects, Origin 3 Studio and Openstudio Architects.

The six were whittled down from more than 100 entrants tasked with creating housing types that reflected changing lifestyle trends and innovations in design, architecture, technology, materials and methodology.

Taylor Wimpey has committed to building prototypes of the winning entries and has said it could also incorporate them in its market range.

While the teams have now been named, and their designs publicised, RIBA is seeking public comments on the designs without connecting the schemes themselves with their individual creators.

Taylor Wimpey divisional managing director John Gainham said the firm had been “very impressed” with the quality of entries, which it hoped would shape its future housing offer.

“The initial concept brief asked for the design to consider key elements such as natural light, space for living and storage, flexibility and adaptability, and health and wellbeing, as well as functional requirements and a range of technology and construction considerations,” he said.

“We now have detailed designs from the six shortlisted entrants to consider further. The competition offers a fantastic opportunity for the winning architect to see their designs potentially replicated across Taylor Wimpey’s portfolio of homes.”

The six final entries shortlisted designs are open to public comments until December 2, after which a panel of judges including Taylor Wimpey directors as well as architects Glenn Howells and Sasha Bhavan will select a winner.

The finalists’ full submissions can be seen here.