On the Kent coast, a contemporary home makes the beach itself part of everyday life, blending work with an endless sense of escape. In east London, a landlocked plot is transformed into a sun-filled sanctuary, precisely angled to catch every ray while shutting out the city around it. In suburban Surrey, a burst of tropical colour, terracotta and greenery conjures the Caribbean. In London, a calm retreat draws on Japanese traditions, with timber frames and courtyards that blur the line between house and garden. In Wiltshire, soaring rooflines stretch outwards to frame vast views of cathedral spires and meadows. California comes to south London in the form of a dazzling American-style glass and steel home. Each house offers an experience like no other. But only the best will earn a place on the shortlist.