Award-winning Hyve Architects is ending the year on a high note after winning another national award to add to its collection.

Tess Lavery, an architect with the Stonehaven-based practice, was named Best Architect for a Renovation or Extension Project in the Build It Awards 2019. The annual event celebrates all aspects of self-build and renovation, bringing together architects, manufacturers and key industry figures in recognition of innovation and excellence in the custom and self-build home sector.

Tess, the only Scottish finalist in the category, won the award for the work she did on Smith House near Stonehaven. Hyve originally converted what had formerly been an outbuilding used as a piggery into a two-bedroom house 15 years ago. When the owner wanted to extend the property to include a third bedroom and to give a more contemporary look to the whole house, he asked Hyve to carry out the work.

The resulting design has created a stunning home which includes a master-bedroom and en-suite in a new extension, relocation of the living space to put it next to the kitchen, opening up the ceilings in the existing home to maximise the building’s original character and new glazing overlooking the woodland setting.

The owner said he chose Hyve because he was impressed with the company’s previous work and by their obvious enthusiasm for the project.

“Knowing that I would need a high level of support throughout, I also asked Hyve to project manage for me,” he said. “They were great. Always on hand with new and exciting ideas and working closely with the contractor to ensure that an extremely high standard of finish was achieved.

“The result is exceptional, far exceeding the original brief and has transformed my living space. Huge thanks to Hyve. I look forward to working with them on another project in the near future.”

Hyve started the year on a positive note when it was named overall winner of a national VELUX design award for the extension of a clifftop cottage and bothy in Crawton in Aberdeenshire. It was the second year in a row that Hyve had won a VELUX award.

This year saw another of the company’s projects, The Gables, an Edwardian period property in the heart of Stonehaven’s conservation area, shortlisted as a finalist in Scotland’s Home of the Year on BBC.

Hyve was also shortlisted as a finalist in both the 2017 and 2018 Build It Awards.