Bighton Grange, near Winchester, Hampshire, is amongst the winners of the 2015 Georgian Group Architectural Awards, sponsored by Savills. The awards, now in their thirteenth year, celebrate those who have demonstrated the vision and commitment to restore and create Georgian buildings and landscapes across the United Kingdom. The winners were announced in December at The Royal Institute of British Architects in London, with the awards presented by His Grace The Duke of Wellington.

The winning schemes were chosen from a total of nearly sixty entries. Crispin Holborow, of Savills Country Department and member of the judging panel, says: “It is vital that we continue to recognise the time and skill that goes into restoring and safeguarding some of this country’s finest Georgian architecture. The winning projects are the culmination of years of planning, hard work and expertise from a huge number of people. Across all categories, from the restoration of fire damaged shells to the creation of new buildings in the Georgian style, the finished works are simply inspiring, and are a true reflection of the dedication of those involved.”

George Saumarez Smith of Adam Architecture was awarded in the New Build in Classical Tradition category, for Bighton Grange in Hampshire. The judges agreed that few contemporary country houses are this self-assured or achieve such a degree of quiet dignity and inherent harmony. Bighton Grange is in essence a villa, in white brick with Portland stone dressings, and takes its inspiration from the Regency. There are also flashes of the picturesque, as you might see in an Italianate villa by Nash. The result is a subtle and refined composition.