STATE-of-the-art technology combined with the latest green thinking have landed major awards for Oxfordshire architects.

Kate Smith won the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects’ Downland Prize for her work on a ‘striking family home’, Tinel House, in Charlbury.

LAPD Architects, in Culham, won the national award for technical innovation at the LABC Building Excellence Awards, after installing a revolutionary energy-generating device at Dandridge’s Mill, in East Hanney.

Tinel House was the only Oxfordshire project to be shortlisted for the Downland Prize, making it a real coup for Ms Smith whose firm, McCormick and Smith, is also based in the west Oxfordshire town.

She said: “I’m delighted. It was a real surprise. We’re a small practice and hopefully this will generate clients wanting similar work, which will be very exciting.”

The house is owned by Juliette Barrell, a director of Witney furniture company Wesley-Barrell, and her husband Tim Crisp. They share it with children Anna, 18, Dominic, 16, and 14-year-old Luke.

The four-bedroom house, which overlooks Cornbury Park, is built of Cotswold stone and larch in a semi-circular shape, with large south-facing windows to make full use of the sun.

It was built by McKenna Building Contractors of Headington and Benson-based Oakwood Builders and Joiners.

Energy efficiency was a priority, with features such as a ground-source heat pump, using the earth’s natural warmth.

The judges’ citation said: “This is a delightful house which shows what added value can be achieved by employing a good architect who is committed to ensuring every detail of the building works.”

Ms Barrell said: “It’s a beautiful building, lovely to live in, and we take pleasure from it every day.”

LAPD’s award-winning innovation was an Archimedes Screw, a 6ft piece of metal turned by Dandridge’s Mill’s stream to generate power for its three luxury apartments.

Architect Opinder Liddar of Culham-based LAPD said “This project is a wonderful example of the work we love to do. It was a team project with our clients and resulted in a very sustainable and enjoyable place to live.”

Grade 2-listed Dandridge’s Mill was developed by 25-year-old Henry Reily Collins, in a £3m project.