Western Design Architects Celebrate National Success at the LABC Grand Finals 2025
Western Design Architects are delighted to announce that their project at Branksea Avenue, Poole, Dorset has won Best Individual New Home at the LABC Building Excellence Awards – Grand Finals 2025. Securing a national LABC award is a fantastic achievement and marks a proud moment for everyone involved in the project.
The LABC Building Excellence Awards recognise the very best in the construction industry, celebrating projects that demonstrate exceptional standards of design quality, technical compliance, and collaborative working. To be named winner at the Grand Finals places the Branksea Avenue home among the finest new residential projects in the country.
Designed as a bespoke individual dwelling, the house at Branksea Avenue is a carefully considered response to its coastal Dorset setting and the aspirations of its clients. Western Design Architects’ approach combined strong contemporary design with an emphasis on liveability and craftsmanship. The result is a refined and confident home that balances architectural clarity with warmth and practicality.
The LABC panel wrote “This project delivered a sustainable, harbourside with key design principles focused on creating a strong connection between the house and sea views, whilst ensuring the design respected the character and appearance of its waterside setting.
In addition to its thoughtful design, the house is a model of sustainability. Photovoltaic panels and battery storage provide more than enough energy to meet the home’s needs and generate 115.18% of the overall energy demand through renewables. The use of air-source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points further demonstrates the home’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact.
This open and responsive approach from BCP Council’s building control department built a strong working relationship, allowing issues to be resolved early, and ensured inspections and approvals went ahead without delays – helping to keep the project on track and fully compliant.”
The judges commended this project for its exemplary integration of architectural ambition, environmental responsibility, and technical rigour.
“The dwelling delivers a refined contemporary design that both enhances and respects its harbour-side context while maximising natural light and panoramic waterfront views. Its fabric-first performance, renewable technologies generating over 115 percent of predicted energy use, and carefully coordinated construction quality demonstrate outstanding execution. This project sets a benchmark for sustainable coastal living and represents an exceptional collaboration between design and construction teams.”
Winning the Best Individual New Home category at a national level is a significant endorsement of the project team’s shared commitment to excellence. It reflects not only the visual success of the finished building, but also the rigorous technical standards and thoughtful problem-solving that underpin truly great residential architecture.
To be awarded the winner of this category is a fantastic achievement, and huge congratulations go to all involved in bringing this exceptional project to life. The success at the LABC Grand Finals 2025 stands as a testament to the skill, dedication, and collaborative spirit of the entire team.
Western Design Architects are proud to see their work recognised on a national stage and look forward to continuing to deliver high-quality, well-crafted homes.
Our client’s brief was to create an award-winning home – and we’re proud to have delivered.
Main Contractor Matrod Frampton
Project Engineer Godsell Arnold Partnership
Energy Consultants Power Naturally
Energy Assessor Company Thermal Acoustics
Photography Jonathan Gooding
Published 26 January 2026
