AN innovative eco-friendly Stourbridge home extension is in line for a prestigious national award for architectural excellence.

The two-storey extension at the rear of a Victorian house in the Old Quarter of the town is among 14 buildings short-listed for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) West Midlands region in the 2008 National Architectural Awards.

The project, which was designed improve the environmental performance of the house by maximising natural light using full-height low-energy glazing, was designed by Birmingham-based Khoury Architects.

The house, in Baylie Street, also features solar powered central heating plus a system increasing water heating efficiency by up to 55 per cent.

Work on the extension was completed in May last year and created one of the first environmentally friendly homes in Stourbridge.

Mary King, chair of RIBA West Midlands, said: "It's exciting that a local project like this has been short-listed for a top national architectural award. It highlights the good design that RIBA architects can bring to every type of building project, and the quality of space and ambience to a modest extension to a private house."

The RIBA Awards are presented annually to the best new buildings across the UK, the results will be announced at the end of May.

All 14 short-listed schemes will be exhibited at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, Birmingham City University until May 19.