LONDON.- A geometrically playful house in Hampshire; a new build house in Brixton; a fully accessible one-storey home in Hertfordshire; a contemporary redesign of a Grade II* listed manor house and a ‘California’ style home in The Wirral make up the shortlist for the RIBA Manser Medal 2013 for the best new house, the UK’s pre-eminent private housing design award.

The houses shortlisted for the 2013 RIBA Manser Medal are:
◾ Astley Castle, Warwickshire by Witherford Watson Mann Architects
◾ Crowbrook, Hertfordshire by Knox Bhavan Architects
◾ Downley House, Petersfield by Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects
◾ Rockmount, The Wirral by Shed KM
◾ Slip House, London by Carl Turner Architects

The RIBA Manser Medal 2013 shortlist has been chosen from winners of RIBA National Awards and RIBA regional awards. The winner will be announced at the RIBA Stirling Prize party on Thursday 26 September in London. The winning architect will receive a trophy designed by the artist Petr Weigl.

Previous winners include Maison L by architecturepossibles; Hampstead Lane by Duggan Morris (2011), Acme for Hunsett Mill (2010), Pitman Tozer Architects for The Gap House (2009), Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners for Oxley Woods (2008) and Alison Brooks Architects for the Salt House (2007).

This year’s judges include: Michael Manser CBE; Hugh Broughton, architect; Joe Morris, architect; Caroline Cole, architect and Tony Chapman, Hon FRIBA, RIBA Head of Awards.

The Architects’ Journal is media partner for the RIBA Awards and special awards and trade media partner for the RIBA Stirling Prize.