Constructing Excellence North East Residential Project of the Year 2025 – Winner
The new family residence in Tynemouth, represents a benchmark in sustainable design and contemporary architecture. The project involved the demolition of two mid-to-late 20th-century houses to create a single site for a bespoke, low-energy home, certified to the rigorous Passivhaus standard.
Designed by Mawson Kerr Architects and delivered in close collaboration with Narro Newcastle, the three-storey home was commissioned by a local entrepreneurial family of four. The accommodation includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a WC, kitchen/living area, boot room, library, snug, office, and utility room. A generous balcony terrace offers panoramic views across the North Sea and towards the historic Tynemouth Priory.
Narro Newcastle provided structural engineering services from the earliest design stages, working closely with the architectural team to develop a refined and highly efficient timber structure. The exposed timber frame and bespoke joinery combine into a warm, cohesive interior that reflects the family’s lifestyle and values.
Sustainability was at the heart of the design. The house incorporates a range of low-carbon technologies and environmental strategies, including photovoltaic panels, an air source heat pump, and a green sedum roof. Natural materials and a sensitive architectural language ensure the home sits harmoniously within its coastal setting, enhancing biodiversity and reinforcing a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
Due to restricted access along Bath Terrace, the entire timber frame was meticulously stick-built on site by True North Construction—an impressive feat that showcases exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail.
We are proud that this project was recognised with the Constructing Excellence North East Residential Project of the Year (2025) award and shortlisted for the Constructing Excellence National Awards (2025).
