A "dream home" built on the "tightest of budgets" by architects McGonigle McGrath has been named by the Royal Institute of British Architects as the UK's best house of 2019.

House Lessans, which stands on the site of an old farmstead in County Down, was chosen over six other architect-designed homes vying for the annual Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) House of the Year prize.
It was named as this year's winner during the final episode of the Channel 4 television series Grand Designs: House of the Year.

Belfast studio McGonigle McGrath designed House Lessans to meet the needs of a semi-retired couple and their children, who have left home but occasionally visit and stay.
It is formed of two pared-back volumes with walls made from white-rendered concrete with pitched zinc roofs, designed to complement the neighbouring agricultural outbuildings.
McGonigle McGrath used deliberately simple details and construction methods that included cheap concrete blocks for the walls and huge openable windows, instead of bifold doors.
As a result, House Lessans cost just £335,000, equivalent to £1,425 per square metre.

RIBA president Alan Jones said the home was "executed with incredible clarity and restraint".
"House Lessans demonstrates that life enhancing architecture does not have to cost the earth" he said.
"McGonigle McGrath have used simple and cheap materials to create a truly bespoke home that resonates with its owners...