Architects from Romsey and Winchester beat off strong competition from colleagues throughout the South to win three awards.

Neill Beasley, of Genesis Design Studio, Romsey; Rupert Cook, architecture plb, Winchester; and Richard Jobson, Oliver Cunningham and Rodney Graham, of Design Engine, Winchester, were all commended for their work in the Royal Institute of British Architects small projects awards.

The Downland Prize, awarded annually since 1998, looks for buildings that best demonstrate architects' skills in low-cost projects.

Mr Beasley was named for his timber-frame, open-plan workshop and classroom for children with special needs at Stanbridge Earls School, Romsey.

The children started to use the new block when they returned last month. "They were enthralled by the changes," said bursar, David Bonnor-Moris.

"Children who come to us often have very low self-esteem and we celebrate every achievement. To work in a building which has revolutionised the look of the school is a big boost for them."

Richard Jobson, Oliver Cunningham and Rodney Graham, of Design Engine, Winchester, were commended for their extension to a family home in Worthy Lane. They changed the kitchen extension from a rectangle into a wedge shape.

The Downland Prize jury commented: "This was a very good example of how an architect can adapt a standard period property to suit the way that people live now at a relatively modest cost."

Rupert Cook, of architecture plb Winchester, was also praised for The Barn, Drayton St Leonard, Wallingford, HQ of the Aston Martin Owner's Club, in a Grade II listed building formerly used for seaweed extraction.

The overall winner of the competition was a Chichester architects, Groucott, Ford, Miller Hughes Associates for an extension to a conventional bungalow.