‘Best Oak Frame Home’ Awards Shortlist for Green Oak Carpentry at 2026 Built It Awards

We are delighted to announce that Green Oak Carpentry has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Oak Frame Home’ Category at the Build It Awards 2026, recognising the incredible transformation of a historic barn on the Isle of Wight into a beautiful contemporary home.

The project, Little Budbridge, is a celebration of traditional craftsmanship, thoughtful design and the enduring appeal of oak framing, bringing new life to a characterful rural building while preserving its architectural heritage.

Breathing new life into a historic barn

Following significant storm damage that left the original barn without its roof, the building required an extensive programme of careful dismantling, repair and reconstruction. Every element of the existing structure was meticulously recorded and numbered before being dismantled, allowing the barn to be faithfully rebuilt within its original footprint.

At the heart of the conversion is a beautifully crafted oak frame, introducing warmth, character and structural integrity while creating a welcoming home designed for modern living.

A balance of heritage and contemporary design

The transformation required a sensitive balance between preserving the character of the original agricultural building and creating comfortable, functional living spaces.

Traditional materials and craftsmanship sit alongside carefully considered contemporary details, with exposed oak timbers becoming a defining feature of the interiors. Natural materials, including lime stone, help to express the relationship between the historic structure and its new additions.

The result is a distinctive oak frame home that respects its rural setting and architectural past while offering a new chapter for the building and its owners. Working closely with the client since 2019 across Little Budbridge and the wider site, this project has been a fantastic collaborative achievement alongside Arid Design Architects and Mayhew & Shaw Construction, whose expertise helped bring this ambitious project to life so successfully.

Celebrating craftsmanship at the prestigious Build It Awards

The Build It Awards celebrate excellence in self-build, renovation and homebuilding, recognising outstanding projects, innovation and craftsmanship across the industry.

To see Little Budbridge shortlisted in the Best Oak Frame Home category is a wonderful acknowledgement of the skill, care and collaboration involved in bringing this ambitious conversion to life.

As we celebrate 30 years of Green Oak Carpentry, this recognition is particularly meaningful, reflecting our continued commitment to creating beautiful timber buildings that are designed to stand the test of time. We will attend an exciting gala lunch in November to celebrate our shortlist success and find out who the winners are!

Explore our full Little Budbridge case study here to discover more about the restoration, craftsmanship and transformation behind this award-shortlisted oak frame home.