Dezeen Magazine

London's best new house extensions revealed in Don't Move, Improve! 2018 shortlist

A timber-lined loft renovation, a seven-square-metre extension and a triangular room feature among the 30 projects shortlisted in a competition to find London's best home extensions.

Don't Move, Improve! is an annual contest organised by New London Architecture (NLA), to champion "emerging trends, imaginative design and original problem-solving" in home renovation and extension projects.

A kitchen that celebrates exposed materials, a corten-clad roof extension and a series of hobby rooms for a retired couple also made the shortlist for the annual award, which is now in its eighth year.

Other projects recognised include a ramped Victorian workshop, a garden library and a refurbished water tower.

Dezeen is media partner for the event, which is organised in association with RIBA LondonClippings and Architect's Republic.

Any house extension or improvement project completed in within the last two years, in any one of London's 33 boroughs, was eligible for the contest.

Judges included Dezeen editor Amy Frearson, NLA chairman Peter Murray, architect Carl Turner, Ash Sakula co-founder Cany Ash and Levitt Bernstein architect Zohra Chiheb.

The overall winners will be revealed at a reception at The Building Centre in London on 25 January 2018. An exhibition of 120 submitted designs will be unveiled at the same time.

The winner of last year's awards was a garden room containing a sunken Japanese-style bath.

An extension featuring a lookout post clad in wooden shingles and a garden studio dedicated to rug making took second and third place.

Here's the full Don't Move, Improve! 2018 shortlist:


Maynard Road by WIDGER architecture

61aMR, Walthamstow, by Widger Architecture


Amhurst Road, Hackney Downs, by Poulsom Middlehurst


Arbour House, Peckham, by Nimtim Architects


Bayston road by Al-Jawad Pike

Bayston Road, Stoke Newington, by Al-Jawad Pike


Black Ridge House, Walthamstow, by Neil Dusheiko Architects


Burnt House, Maida Vale, by Hayhurst and Co


Columbia Road, Hoxton, The DHaus Company LTD


Corduroy House, Hackney Downs, by Manalo & White


DA Residence, Walthamstow, by deDRAFT


Dewsbury Road by O'Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects

Dewsbury Road, Neasden, by O'Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects


Egg by Jonathan Tuckey Design

Egg House, Knightsbridge, by Jonathan Tuckey Design


Lantern House and Studio, Fulham, by Simon Gill Architects


Greville Road Studio, Kilburn, by Syte Architects


Hide House, Barnes, by Laura Dewe Mathews Architects


Manor Road, Stamford Hill, by Paul Archer Design


My House, Peckham, by MW Architects


Pitch Perfect, Peckham, by Nimtim Architects


Pop-Up Ute, Chalk Farm, by Friend and Company Architects


Rachel's House, Haggerston, by Paul Archer Design


Reading Room, Belsize Park, by Studio Carver


Roman Road Gallery, Bethnal Green, by Threefold Architects


SE5: Garden Library, Camberwell, by Turner Architects


Slope House, Nunhead, by Poulsom Middlehurst


Sun Rain Rooms, Finsbury, by Tonkin Liu


Taper House, Barnes, by Mustard Architects


The Copper Lookout, Holloway, by Beasley Dickson Architects


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The Etch House, Honor Oak, by Fraher Architects


The Triangle, Clapton, by Yellow Cloud Studio


The Water Tank, Keeling House, Haggerston, by Brian Heron Architects


Valetta House by Office S&M

Valetta House, East Acton, by Office S&M