The jury was impressed by this monumental concrete and glass extension, which is a perfect contemporary companion to Orama, the stately Victorian villa of similar proportions that sits in front. The transitions from old to new are deftly handled to celebrate the new partnership of forms with framed views from one to the other. The junctions are seamless and preserve the qualities of enclosure in the original rooms. The resolution of detail throughout the project is consistently intricate, meticulous and at times breathtaking in its precision. Such execution is a credit to the close working relationship between builders and architects.
The grand proportions, mass and fine detail of the original villa are interpreted in a bold and dramatic contemporary extension that celebrates the collective skills of the designers and builders in the same way the original house did in its day. The result is a balanced composition where old and new do not compete but speak equally of gracious contemporary living.