Dezeen Magazine

Call for entries to NLA's Don't Move Improve awards 2016

Dezeen promotion: entries are now been accepted to New London Architecture's Don't Move Improve 2016 – a competition that aims to find London's best home extension projects (+ slideshow).

Organised in association with Dezeen, Heal's and the Royal Institute of British Architects, the competition is the brainchild of New London Architecture (NLA) – an independent forum for discussion, debate and information about architecture and construction in the capital.

House in Hampstead by Cullinan Studo – shortlisted for 2014
House in Hampstead by Cullinan Studo – shortlisted in 2014

Now in its sixth year, the competition continues to seek out innovative extensions and conversions that have created new living spaces for Londoners.

Dezeen's architecture editor Amy Frearson and NLA chairman Peter Murray will be among a jury of experts and journalists from across the industry.

Cecilia Road by MW Architects – shortlisted in 2014
Cecilia Road by MW Architects – Home Extension category runner-up in 2014

Shortlisted projects will be featured in a dedicated publication and a three-month exhibition at NLA's central London gallery from January to March 2016.

Winning practices will receive a year's NLA membership, the opportunity to participate in the competition's associated events programme and coverage on Dezeen.

Ravenswood by Maccreanor Lavington Architects – Home Extension winner in 2014
Ravenswood by Maccreanor Lavington Architects – Home Extension category winner in 2014

All shortlisted practices will also be invited to take part in a series of design surgery events throughout the year, where they can offer one-to-one advice to members of the public.

Court House by Coffrey Architects – shortlisted in 2014
Court House by Coffrey Architects – shortlisted in 2014

Last year's winner was a timber-framed extension to a 1960s terraced house in Gospel Oak by architects Maccreanor Lavington.

Shortlisted entries included Mikhail Riches' east London house and Space Group Architects' sunken glass box on the back of a heritage-listed property.

Any home extension or improvement project completed within the last two years within one of London's 33 boroughs is eligible for entry.

Greenwood Road by Kilburn Nightingale Architects – shortlisted in 2014
Greenwood Road by Kilburn Nightingale Architects – shortlisted in 2014

Submissions close on Friday 6 November, click here for details on how to enter. Winners will be announced at an awards reception on 21 January 2016.

Read on for more information from NLA:


London's premier extension awards open for entries as Don't Move Improve 2016 announced

New London Architecture (NLA), the capital's forum for the built environment, has today opened entries for Don’t Move Improve 2016, to find London’s best new home extension projects.

JJ House by Space Group Architects – shortlisted in 2014
JJ House by Space Group Architects – shortlisted in 2014

Organised in association with Dezeen, Heal's and RIBA London, and sponsored by Hansgrohe Axor and Schueco, the awards are now in their sixth year and continue to seek out architectural innovation, from extensions on top of, underneath, on the side or back of buildings, to interior insertions, conversions, and garden studios.

JJ House by Space Group Architects – shortlisted in 2014
JJ House by Space Group Architects – shortlisted in 2014

The competition celebrates projects that demonstrate exceptional innovation in the creation of new living spaces for Londoners.

The jury will be made up of experts and journalists from across the industry, including Russ Edwards, design director of Pocket Living, with winning and shortlisted projects featured in a three-month exhibition at NLA’s central London galleries at The Building Centre, from January to March 2016, and also in a dedicated publication.

London Fields extension by HUT – shortlisted in 2014
London Fields extension by HUT – shortlisted in 2014

Winning practices receive a year's membership of NLA, the opportunity to participate in the competition's associated events programme and coverage in Dezeen. All shortlisted practices will also be invited to take part in a series of design surgery events throughout the year, offering one-to-one advice to members of the public.

Last year's winner was Ravenswood by architects Maccreanor Lavington. This timber-framed extension to an end-of-terrace house on a 1960's estate in Gospel Oak was praised by the jury for its sympathetic interaction with the neighbouring vernacular styles, and illustrates the scope for improving London’s estates.