Welcome to the home of the future

2009 British Homes Awards

• The competition challenged the industry to design a house that can adapt to different life stages and create communities for ageing occupants.
• The winner was the SunnySideUp house designed by Kosi Architects, gaining 12,000 votes from Mail on Sunday readers.

SunnySideUp House Design

• The living room, dining room, and kitchen are on the top floor to benefit from natural light and views, and maximize energy efficiency.
• Bedrooms are on the ground floor to provide privacy and a cool temperature throughout the day.
• The two floors are linked by wide, gentle gradient stairs, designed for easy access and potential stair lift installation.

Concealed Parking Spaces

• Vehicles are tucked away on the lower floor, leaving car-free zones outside the houses for people to meet and kids to play.
• A lift takes people directly from garage to living area, making it easy for residents to move between floors.
• Planters outside the kitchens encourage residents to grow vegetables and flowers, promoting interaction and community.

Flexible Spaces

• The lower-floor bedrooms have separate outdoor access, allowing them to be easily let for extra income.
• The bedrooms can be converted into a granny flat, office, or separate one-bed flat if needed.
• Additional space can be created by converting the loft or inserting a gallery floor in the living room.

Availability

• The SunnySideUp house is currently only a design concept, but the architects are hoping to build it in the future.
• The project is on hold due to the economic climate, but the organisers are in talks with builders.