Cornwall-based ADD Sustainable Construction Ltd has been crowned National Winner for the Housebuilder Award – Sponsored by JCB & JCB Finance (JCB.com) – at the Federation of Master Builders’ 2025 Master Builder Awards, recognising Turnstones in Polzeath: a £1.46m transformation of a 1960s bungalow into a future-proof, accessible family home that pairs striking design with rigorous sustainability.
Run by the UK’s largest trade body for SME construction, the Master Builder Awards are regarded as the highest accolade in the industry – positioning ADD Sustainable Construction among the very best builders in the UK. Turnstones demonstrates that high performance can also look and feel exceptional, delivering both ultra-low energy use and low embodied carbon (412 kgCO₂/m², aligned to RIBA 2030 targets) while creating a striking multigenerational home built to last.
The FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey shows the UK construction industry gaining real momentum in the first half of 2025, with workloads up 25% and enquiries up 34% – the first simultaneous growth in workload, enquiries and employment since 2023.
But serious challenges remain. 61% of firms report struggling to recruit skilled tradespeople, leading to delays and cancellations, while three-quarters face higher material costs and two-thirds report rising wages. The FMB warns that unless the government acts to tackle skills gaps, planning delays and cost pressures, homeowners may face longer waits and higher bills – making ADD Sustainable Construction’s success a testament to the resilience, ingenuity and precision of SME builders.
Design that lives with the landscape
Elevated living spaces capture sweeping beach views without sacrificing privacy; a wildflower green roof softens the massing, boosts biodiversity and reduces stormwater run-off. Inside, four en-suite bedrooms and adaptable spaces support multigenerational living, with wheelchair-friendly access built-in from the start.
Fabric first, then systems
A super-insulated, airtight envelope, triple-glazed openings and MVHR underpin comfort and efficiency. Renewables do the heavy lifting: a ground source heat pump and 6kW solar PV with battery storage minimise operational carbon and shield the home from energy price swings.
Materials that matter
FSC-certified timber and low-carbon concrete were specified to cut embodied emissions; sustainable landscaping enriches ecology while framing coastal views. The result balances clean, modern lines with warmth, light and a calm, natural palette.
Delivery through headwinds
Tight site logistics, party wall complexity and COVID-era supply shocks (including a year-long cladding delay and enhanced fire-testing requirements) were navigated through clear stakeholder engagement and VR walk-throughs that enabled the client to approve sightlines, accessibility and privacy before build.
A spokesperson for ADD Sustainable Construction said: “Winning the House Builder Award means so much to us – it’s the result of years of hard work and collaboration with our sister company ARCO2 Architecture and all the subcontractors and consultants we see as part of one big family. This was a really tough project through COVID and the material shortages, but with a patient client and a dedicated team we achieved something we’re extremely proud of.”
Iain Kirtley, South Director at the Federation of Master Builders, said: “Turnstones stands out as the dream home—striking, beautifully detailed, and rigorously fabric-first for lasting environmental performance. ADD Sustainable Construction demonstrate how SMEs can raise the standard for sustainable, aspirational housing. Their blend of high performance and design proves what’s possible in the hands of dedicated regional builders. Strong workloads suggest momentum, but overcoming skills gaps and cost pressures needs government action: training, apprenticeships and planning reform must keep pace with builder ambition.”
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “ADD Sustainable Construction are proving what the future of housebuilding should look like: low-carbon, design-led and focused on families. Their work in Cornwall combines modern architecture with environmental integrity, showing that sustainability and beauty can go hand-in-hand. They are role models for housebuilders across the UK.”
Hosted by Nick Knowles at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on 26 September 2025, the Master Builder Awards celebrate the UK’s best SME builders. One overall Master Builder of the Year drives away with a brand-new Isuzu D-Max worth £42,000.
Sponsors
This release forms part of the FMB Master Builder Awards 2025, supported by headline sponsor Isuzu, and Housebuilder Award sponsor JCB & JCB Finance. Both JCB and JCB Finance are committed to UK SMEs across construction, partnering with the FMB to help builders access products and finance, and championing the pivotal role SME housebuilders play in tackling the UK housing shortage.
Learn more at JCB.com.