A tiny cob cottage, a renovated 1970s bungalow, an accessible educational space, and solar-panelled car ports at a major visitor attraction have all been recognised in the New Forest National Park Authority’s Building Design Awards 2025.
The awards recognise projects that demonstrate outstanding design, sustainability, and sensitivity to the National Park’s distinctive landscape and heritage.
Best Conservation Project was Rose Cottage in Frogham. Having stood empty for several years, this Grade II listed thatched cottage had fallen into disrepair. Originally built of clay cob more than 200 years ago, the building had incompatible cement render and little structural support.
After consulting with the NPA’s heritage conservation team, the owner restored the home using traditional materials and techniques, preserving the building’s historic and architectural character.
A single-storey lean-to extension was sympathetically rebuilt, with Rose of Jerico tallow limewash matched to the cottage’s original colour.
Rose Cottage is a rare example of an ‘encroachment cottage’, often built on the edges of Crown land, sometimes in a single night. Judges described the project as ‘an exemplary celebration of the New Forest vernacular,’ praising the owner’s dedication, knowledge and use of skilled heritage craftspeople.
The owner thanked Salisbury-based Favonius Architects; structural engineers at Romsey-based Andrew Waring Associates, and Salisbury-based builders Brian Franklin and Sons for their part in the restoration process.
Best Green Project was awarded to Paultons Park Solar Canopies. The theme park near Romsey has recently introduced four solar car ports and battery storage to its existing parking area.
The car ports have a cantilever design by local architects Studio Four with more than a thousand solar panels fitted to a streel framework. The car ports are 4.5 metres at the highest point, and 2.7 metres at the lowest, allowing ample room for vehicles to park underneath.
In total, the car ports cover 173 spaces and have generated 770,000 kWh annually – with 82% used on site. As of March 2025, Paulton’s Park has saved 68 tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of planting 4,000 trees.
The judges called the solar canopy project ‘an exemplary green scheme’, praising its contemporary yet highly functional design and innovative reuse of brownfield land. They also highlighted the scheme’s minimal impact on the National Park’s landscape character, noting its sensitive siting and thoughtful integration as key reasons it won Best Green Project. The project makes a positive contribution to addressing the impacts of climate change and respects the New Forest’s status as a nationally protected landscape.
The award for Best Residential Building went to 8 Moorlands Close, Brockenhurst. This chalet bungalow, built in the 1970s, is now sympathetically extended for flexible, long-term living.
The design includes 200mm of external wall insulation; high performance triple glazing throughout; a new warm-deck roof system and underfloor insulation; air source heat pump with underfloor heating, and solar panels with battery storage.
Careful window placement, shading and natural ventilation ensure that temperatures remain comfortable throughout the year, without the need for mechanical cooling.
The judges described the design, by Southampton architects Studio BAD, as a ‘noteworthy blend of modern, forward-thinking ideas’ that respects the local vernacular through its choice of materials and strong environmental credentials.
They commended an approach that follows the government’s guidance on embodied carbon (the emissions linked to building materials and construction), by keeping and reusing existing structures wherever possible rather than replacing them. They were especially pleased to see a retrofit scheme on a more typical modern home found within the New Forest.
Best Non-Residential Building was awarded to Brockenhurst College Foundation and Independence Hub. This single storey building at the College offers specialist facilities within a mainstream environment for learners with special educational needs.
The highly accessible scheme blends in with the natural colours of the New Forest and has sensory gardens and wildflower meadows in its grounds.
The modular hub was made from Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), making it cost effective, durable and energy efficient. Its strong environmental credentials meet with BREEAM ‘very good’ criteria, including air source heat pumps, solar panels and under-floor heating.
The judges praised the building for being accessible, practical, and thoughtfully designed, with materials chosen to complement the landscape character of the National Park.
They agreed the scheme by architects Re-Format goes well beyond a standard modular building, with the owners carefully considering not only the needs of the students but also how the structure would sit within its New Forest setting.
Steve Trow, chair of the New Forest National Park’s Planning Committee said: ‘Each of this year’s winners represents the very best of thoughtful design in the New Forest. These projects show how innovation, sustainability, and a deep respect for our unique heritage can come together to create buildings and structures that not only serve their purpose but also enhance the special character of the National Park for future generations.’
The winners’ plaques – presented at the spring National Park Authority meeting –were created by New Forest company BearWood using sustainable local oak.
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