2025 in Review: A Year of Award-Winning Architecture
It has been an extraordinary year for us at ARCO₂ Architecture and our sister company ADD Sustainable Construction. Our work has continued to be defined by national recognition, regional victories and a reputation built on award winning architecture. Our belief in sustainability, careful craftsmanship and design innovation has shaped our journey across Cornwall and the wider South West, and this year has brought our most significant achievements so far. These accomplishments reflect the growing respect for our approach to responsible design, construction quality and the delivery of award-winning architecture.
Throughout 2025, we have seen prestigious organisations acknowledge what our clients and partners already know. We do not simply create buildings that perform well and sit comfortably within their landscapes. We set new standards for what responsible construction can achieve, and we are proud that this has been recognised through so many awards connected to our ongoing commitment to award-winning architecture.
LABC Building Excellence Awards: A National Victory
Keynvor, a collaborative project between ARCO₂ and ADD Sustainable Construction, was nominated for Best Individual New Home at the LABC Building Excellence Awards. After earning its regional place, it went on to secure the Grand Final National Award.
This honour celebrates technical skill, construction quality, building control compliance and design quality. The national win demonstrates our combined expertise in low energy design and precision construction, and it reinforces our pursuit of award-winning architecture that performs as well as it looks.
ARCO₂ Named Architectural Practice of the Year
Recognition for our wider body of work came at the Insider South West Residential Property Awards, where ARCO₂ was awarded Architectural Practice of the Year. This accolade acknowledges not only the studio’s individual projects but also its consistent leadership in sustainable architecture. An ethos demonstrated across everything from one-off homes to larger residential schemes. The award is testament to our dedication to creative, environmentally conscious design that responds thoughtfully to landscape, lifestyle and long-term energy performance.
Cornish Buildings Group Awards: Celebrating Local Excellence
ARCO₂ enjoyed considerable success closer to home through the Cornish Buildings Group Awards, which highlight high-quality architecture shaping the built environment across Cornwall.
- Ladybird Farm – Winner, New Building Category
This innovative and environmentally integrated home secured top honours, reflecting ARCO₂’s ability to pair contemporary architectural language with deep sensitivity to rural settings. - Curve House – Shortlisted, New Building Category
Though not a category winner, its shortlisting alone demonstrates the calibre of the project. Curve House has been widely admired for its sculptural form and its thoughtful use of materials and energy-efficient construction methods.
Success Across Construction Awards for ADD Sustainable Construction
ADD Sustainable Construction has had a landmark year of its own, with multiple major wins recognising its sustainable construction practices, craftsmanship and business excellence.
- Cornwall Business Awards – Contractor of the Year (Winner)
This award acknowledges exceptional project delivery, operational excellence and strong client relationships – hallmarks of ADD’s approach. - Build Construction & Engineering Awards – Most Sustainable Construction Company (Winner)
Reflecting ADD’s deep commitment to low-impact building and innovative construction techniques. - Federation of Master Builders (FMB) – Housebuilder Award
Turnstones, one of ARCO₂ and ADD’s outstanding projects, achieved both the South West Regional and National Winner titles, placing the company among the UK’s leading builders. This is one of the most respected accolades in the domestic construction industry and a major accomplishment for the team. - SME Business Elite Awards 2025 – Best Bespoke Sustainable Design/Build Practice (Winner)
A national award recognising skill in sustainable design, tailored construction solutions and consistent commitment to responsible building practice. - E2 Media Award for Excellence 2025 – Sustainability Award (Winner)
This award honours strong sustainable performance, clear environmental responsibility and ongoing progress in reducing environmental footprint.
Further Recognition for ARCO₂ in Sustainability and Design
ARCO₂’s individual projects have also continued to shine on wider stages this year.
- Cornwall Business Awards – Sustainability Award, Clean Energy Category (Winner)
A local award recognising a consistent commitment to sustainable practice, highlighting organisations that show practical leadership in reducing environmental footprint and driving positive change in Cornwall. - National Building & Construction Awards – Sustainability Award (Silver Winner)
This national recognition reinforces the practice’s long-standing reputation as a champion of sustainable design in the UK. - LABC Regional Commendation for Ladybird Farm – Highly Commended
Complementing its success at the Cornish Buildings Group Awards and the International Green Apple Environment Awards, Ladybird Farm also achieved regional acclaim from LABC, further validating its technical excellence and design significance.
International Green Apple Environment Awards: Double Gold
ARCO₂ secured not one but two gold awards at the prestigious International Green Apple Environment Awards in the Beautiful Buildings category:
- Curve House – Gold Winner, Rural Residential
- Ladybird Farm – Gold Winner, Rural Residential
These international awards celebrate green best practice on a global stage, placing both projects among the most environmentally significant buildings recognised this year.
Build It Awards: Two Major Category Wins
Rounding off the year’s achievements, ARCO₂ enjoyed further national success at the Build It Awards, winning:
- Best Eco House – Curve House
- Best ICF Home – Ebron Ha Mor
Both awards highlight ARCO₂’s technical innovation and their expertise in delivering high-performance homes that excel in energy efficiency, design ambition and construction quality.
A Remarkable Year of Award-Winning Architecture
Together, ARCO₂ Architecture and ADD Sustainable Construction have achieved an exceptional year of recognition. Our shared values of sustainable innovation, craft and design excellence continue to guide our work. As demand grows for low energy buildings that sit comfortably in their landscapes, our achievements highlight our ability to shape the future of British architecture and construction.
With more pioneering projects already in progress, this year of awards marks not an end point but the beginning of an even more ambitious chapter, shaped by our dedication to award winning architecture.
