Prime Highlights
- RIBA shortlisted four ground-breaking affordable housing plans for the 2025 Neave Brown Award.
- The schemes shortlisted are focused on sustainability, community, and inclusive design.
Key Facts
- The RIBA Stirling Prize ceremony on 16 October 2025 in London will announce the winner.
- Housing schemes shortlisted for RIBA UK Awards 2025 on their own qualified.
Key Background
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has released today the shortlist for the 2025 Neave Brown Award for Housing, recognizing excellence in the design of modestly budgeted housing throughout the UK. The award is in the name of the father of social housing, and this character Neave Brown has relentlessly strived for quality, people-centered architecture and has accepted this to achieve that end.
This year’s shortlist celebrates four projects that successfully integrate community well-being, architectural innovation, and climate consciousness. Each development showcases a thoughtful approach to place-making while addressing pressing housing needs.
The Appleby Blue Almshouse by Witherford Watson Mann Architects reimagines traditional almshouses for modern times. Located in Southwark, the scheme provides 59 socially rented homes for older residents. The design includes generous communal areas aimed at reducing isolation and fostering community.
Archio’s Lewisham’s Citizens House consists of 11 houses of affordable housing by a community land trust. It costs approximately 65% of market prices and is available to residents of the area. The design maximizes natural light, flexible spaces, and a feeling of personal ownership by residents.
Hazelmead is a Bridport cohousing scheme by Barefoot Architects with 53 shared-garden and shared-house homes. Socialization and sustainability are promoted by the design. Net-zero performance and intergenerational living are placed centre-stage in the scheme, raising the bar for sustainable community housing.
Finally, Hackney’s Tower Court by Adam Khan Architects with MUF Architecture and Child Graddon Lewis provides 132 residential dwellings within a council-driven regeneration project. The scheme combines architecture and landscape with mixed tenures and active family-led communities.
These schemes demonstrate Neave Brown’s enduring legacy for providing decent, habitable, and socially responsible housing. The award will be announced at the high-profile Stirling Prize ceremony in October, demonstrating RIBA’s ongoing commitment to housing that enhances life and communities.
