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Jewson has announced the winners of its first ever Making Better Homes Awards, with thousands of public votes cast to decide the competition’s winners.
The merchant launched its awards to recognise the industry heroes who are going above and beyond in the delivery of energy efficient, safe and comfortable homes.
Matthew Handley, category innovation manager at Jewson, said: “Our first ever Making Better Homes Awards has been an incredible celebration of all the brilliant things tradespeople and businesses working in the construction sector are doing to create a better future for us all. Every single entrant had something very impressive to share, while our winners and runners up act as examples of what can be achieved when you go a step further, and challenge the norms of construction, to create outcomes which are more beneficial to our planet.”
In the Best Use of Renewable Energy category, Channel Electrical Systems took first prize for its project at Oak Court, Penarth, where solar panels were sourced and installed at more than 40 individual homes, helping elderly residents to save money on energy bills.
Rob Lewis, lead project manager at Channel Electrical Systems, said: “We are overwhelmed to have won in the Jewson Making Better Homes Awards, it’s fantastic.”
Just missing out on the top spot in the same category, receiving a Highly Commended recognition award, was Castlethorpe Homes; its entry centred on The Paddocks, a unique new build family home with integrated renewable energy solutions and sustainable features, as well as a beautiful design in keeping with local surroundings. NR2 Community Builders took third place, for its Forest House project.
Taking first place in Best Building Fabric in a Project category was SIP Build UK, for its work on Munoz House in Colchester. The company was tasked with creating a highly insulated and airtight building envelope using Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) to ensure minimal heat transfer and reduce the need for excessive heating or cooling. Runner-up was Orka Construction for its work on Sandfield Park in the Wirral, and in third place was Draper Studio for its transformation of a derelict 1950s home in Peckham.
Finally, in the Best Sustainable Project category, A Corner of Eden was announced as the winner for its development of Harris Hideaway, a Grand Designs-style holiday home on a remote Scottish island recognised for its outstanding eco-credentials and design features, as well as its consideration of the local environment.
Greencore Homes took second place for its development of four private sale and eight affordable rental homes built in partnership with Hook Norton Community Land Trust (HNCLT) in Oxfordshire, while The Holt Group took third place for the renovation and upgrade of a five-bedroom family home in the Hammersmith area, which was packed with eco-friendly features.
Handley added: “Our winners deserve to celebrate. Without realising it, they have achieved new levels of excellence in sustainable building, and will now inspire others as to how we should approach housebuilding in the future. Well done to everyone who has been involved in the Making Better Homes Awards – for me, it has been a privilege.”
