Sustainability and heritage go hand in hand at awards
August 19, 2024
A stunning house that puts sustainability at its heart has won “The South Downs Award” as part of a prestigious heritage scheme.
Vanessa Rowlands (pictured above), Chair of the National Park Authority, presented the trophy to the team behind The Mile House, which is situated near Amberley.
It comes as projects across Sussex were recognised for exceptional design, architecture and conservation at the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards. The ceremony took place at Lancing College Chapel, with the Park Authority sponsoring The South Downs Award category that recognises excellence in sustainability, biodiversity and energy efficiency.
The Mile House is Passivhaus-certified and achieves net zero carbon across the year due to its low energy demand and renewable energy technologies. It far surpasses the current Authority sustainability policy requirement and illustrates what homes of the future can achieve.
The National Park’s judging team praised architect Charles Meloy, from Meloy Architecture, for his “innovative approach with the design massing and detailing of the building sitting comfortably in the landscape.”
The Woolbeding Glass House, at the National Trust’s Woolbeding Gardens, was highly commended in the category.
Sponsored by Irwin Mitchell, this year marks a record-breaking milestone for the awards, with 94 entries all visited by the Sussex Heritage Trust judging teams, resulting in 37 award plaques and 31 highly-commended certificates.
Visit here for the full list of winners
Pictures of The Mile House courtesy of Carlotta Luke