At the edge of a Dulwich estate stands a relic of the 1960s—once inefficient, once wasteful. Built in an era when energy was cheap and insulation was an afterthought, it belonged to the past. Now, it has been remade, ready for a new life.
The original house was a jumble of mismatched levels and awkward rooms, turning its back on the landscape it occupied. Conceived as part of a broader development, it felt like something assembled from a kit—functional, but lacking a true response to its remarkable setting. RDA Architects Ltd reimagined it with precision. They salvaged what they could, stripped away what they couldn’t, and liberated the space. The result: a seamless interplay of volumes, light, and breathtaking new views.
The client, a programmer, challenged RDA to propel this outdated structure into the future. Today, the house no longer wastes heat like a punctured balloon. It regulates itself. The air-source heat pump, the MVHR system, the solar tiles—these elements do not work in isolation but in harmony, exchanging data, making decisions, eliminating waste. This is a house that thinks, responds intelligently. It is connected.
We chose to photograph it on a cloudy day—because this building thrives in the cold. It is more than just a house, more than just a home; it is a statement. This is a building that can give back more than it takes.
Now, it has been shortlisted for the RIBA London Award 2025—a well-deserved recognition of RDA’s vision. The meticulous research, the deep dives, the long hours, their tireless pursuit of knowledge, and the generous sharing of expertise and insight—all of it has led to this. In a world that often shies away from challenges, this was a challenge embraced—and overcome.
If this can be done here, it can be done anywhere. Because if we do not build with purpose, then what exactly are we building for?
Congratulations, RDA Architects Ltd. Onward and upward!
