​​​​​Three “remarkable” buildings in Kent have won awards for their exceptional and unique architecture.

They are among nine winners across the South East scooping up the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2024 prize.

The Hall in Ashford, West Meadow in Dover, and The Exchange in Erith, Bexley, were each selected for the accolade for showing how experts can modify existing homes and build new ones, creating unique places to live.

The Hall is a repurposed 16th-century residence in Ashford.

Designed by TaylorHare Architects, the Grade II*-listed home has been reinstated as an elegant family property.

Judges say it was chosen for its “good sustainability strategy” which brought modern living to this heritage setting.

The site comprised the main house plus outbuildings that had been modified over the 20th century with a series of additions, lacking a coherent design narrative.

The brief for the project required it to be “relevant and sustainable”, reinstating a natural appearance with a focus on handcrafted, high-quality materials.

The judges added: “The project epitomises the notion that, rather than being a clean break with the past, the new can be an evolution of it in a continuing history.

“The design ambition and end result speak beautifully of the value heritage can contribute to elegant living spaces for the future."

West Meadow in Westcliffe, near Dover, designed by Hollaway Studio, has also picked up a prize as the judges were impressed by the level of commitment, care and skill that the architects displayed.

Given the site’s location, the owners had to meet the standards of Paragraph 80 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which only allows homes to be built on isolated rural sites if they display outstanding design qualities.

The client had turned to the architects after being unable to find a home that satisfied their desires on both aesthetic and functional levels, including for it to adapt to changes in family dynamics as their children grew older.

The plan places the living area – kitchen, dining and living – in a single space to the right of the entrance, and bedrooms and amenity spaces to the left.

Judges said: “There are great spaces throughout the property, some generous like the living area and others more intimate outside the bedrooms.

“Thanks to its high thermal mass and excellent conductivity, the flint wall stabilises the internal temperature of the house, reducing energy usage and costs.

“The roof has an overhang that reduces direct sunlight and heat gain. All this results in an almost self-sustaining home.”

The Exchange in Bexley, the abandoned former Carnegie Library, has been brought back to life as a community centre designed by Robin Lee Architecture.

Built in 1906, the library quickly fell into disrepair after it closed to the public in 2009.

While the roof was relatively easy to fix, much of the interior panelling and carpentry was destroyed.

The Exchange raised funding with the support of the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Bexley Council.

Their initiative has repaired and adapted the significant and historic building, transforming its derelict structure into a community hub that now offers a year-round programme of workshops and events.

The judge were impressed with the architect's bold approach to the heritage building by adding modern additions.

They said: “Attention to detail is evident throughout, even in the restoration of the glazed tiles in the WCs.”

Other winners further afield include Cobham Bowers by Coffey Architects in Surrey, Eavesdrop by Tom Dowdall Architects in West Sussex, Kingston Villa by Fletcher Crane Architects in Surrey, The Looking Glass Lodge by Michael Kendrick Architects in East Sussex, The Bathing Pools by DLM Architects in Guernsey, and The Mile House by Meloy Architecture and Design in West Sussex.

The nine projects were selected by the expert jury, who visited all shortlisted projects.

RIBA president, Muyiwa Oki, said: “This year’s RIBA award-winning schemes showcase the true value of quality architecture, and the positive impact it has on people’s lives.

“While carefully considering the needs of the environment, these truly remarkable places and spaces deliver for communities, for residents, for visitors, and people of all ages up and down the country.

“They are pinnacles of design excellence, and show what can be achieved when architects and clients collaborate successfully.”

RIBA South East Award winners will now be considered for a RIBA National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence, which will be announced on July 11.

The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects later in the year.