The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has unveiled its shortlist for the 2025 Neave Brown Award for Housing, highlighting four exceptional affordable housing projects that prioritize community building and innovative design solutions for residents across the United Kingdom.
This year's shortlist features four outstanding projects, including an innovative almshouse specifically designed to combat social isolation among elderly residents and the UK's largest co-housing development that incorporates climate-resilient homes alongside shared community spaces.
The prestigious Neave Brown Award for Housing is presented annually by RIBA to recognize the finest new affordable housing developments in the UK. Named after British social housing pioneer Neave Brown, the award celebrates "exceptional design" that places "people and communities at the heart" of architectural innovation.
Three of the four shortlisted projects are located in London, demonstrating the capital's continued leadership in affordable housing design. These include Appleby Blue by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, Citizens House by Archio, and Tower Court, a collaborative effort between Adam Khan Architects, Muf architecture/art, and Child Graddon Lewis Architects. The fourth project, Hazelmead by Barefoot Architects, is situated on the outskirts of Bridport in Dorset, representing innovative housing solutions beyond London.
This year's distinguished jury is chaired by Dean Pike, founding director of Al-Jawad Pike, the architectural firm that won last year's award for its Chowdury Walk project. Pike emphasized that this year's shortlist reflects an urgent need for housing developments that truly center on people's needs and community building.
"This year's Neave Brown Award for housing shortlist reflects the enduring relevance of Neave Brown's vision – that housing should foster community, offer dignity, and be rooted in place," Pike explained. "The jury was unanimous in recognizing that each project responds, in its own way, to the social and environmental pressures shaping housing today. Through careful detailing, low-impact construction, and a close reading of context, they show what can be achieved within the constraints of contemporary housing delivery – affirming Neave Brown's belief in housing as a civic, generous, and transformative architecture."
The Appleby Blue development by Witherford Watson Mann Architects draws inspiration from traditional almshouse design principles. This distinctive blocky development contains 59 apartments along with carefully planned communal spaces specifically designed to "encourage chance meetings" between residents, fostering natural community interactions and reducing social isolation.
Citizens House represents a thoughtful approach to affordable housing with its collection of 11 homes designed by London-based Archio. The development prioritizes community interactions and provides dedicated play spaces for children, creating an environment where families can thrive and neighbors can build meaningful connections.
Tower Court, featuring 132 apartments, has also earned its place on the prestigious shortlist. This development forms part of an ambitious Hackney Council-owned scheme aimed at delivering affordable housing across 18 different Hackney estates. The project's 132 mixed-tenure homes are specifically designed to accommodate large families, addressing a critical need in London's housing market.
Outside of London, the Hazelmead project by Barefoot Architects represents a comprehensive approach to sustainable community living. This development comprises 53 climate-resilient homes, a common house, and shared green spaces, all designed to foster a sustainable and community-focused neighborhood that can adapt to environmental challenges while building social connections.
Joining Pike on this year's expert jury panel are Claudia Lynch, director at Lynch Architects, and Victoria Mack, who brings a personal connection to the award as the step-daughter of Neave Brown himself. This diverse panel brings together professional expertise and personal insight into Brown's original vision for transformative housing design.
The winner of the 2025 Neave Brown Award for Housing will be announced during the highly anticipated RIBA Stirling Prize ceremony scheduled for October 16 at The Roundhouse in London. This ceremony represents one of the most significant events in the British architectural calendar, bringing together leading figures from across the industry.
The recognition of these four projects comes at a time when affordable housing remains a critical issue across the UK. Each shortlisted project demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design can address both practical housing needs and broader social challenges, from climate resilience to community building and intergenerational interaction.
The diversity of approaches represented in this year's shortlist – from urban infill projects in London to rural community developments in Dorset – showcases the range of innovative solutions being developed to address the UK's housing challenges. These projects prove that affordable housing can be both cost-effective and architecturally exceptional, creating lasting value for residents and communities.
In related RIBA news, the organization has also recently announced that a Scottish prison and a fashion university building have been named among its best British buildings for 2025, demonstrating the breadth of architectural excellence being recognized across different building types and functions throughout the UK.
