Shortlist announced for the Neave Brown Award for Housing 2025

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the four projects shortlisted for the Neave Brown Award for Housing 2025.

Named in honour of modernist architect and social housing pioneer, Neave Brown (1926-2018), the annual award, sponsored by VMZinc, recognises the UK’s best new affordable housing.

From projects addressing increased isolation in older people (Appleby Blue Almshouse) to the largest cohousing development in the UK (Hazelmead, Bridport Cohousing), this year’s shortlisted projects use exceptional design to address wider social and environmental issues, placing people and communities at the heart of their work.

Image: Appleby Blue Almshouse - Philip Vile

The four shortlisted projects are:

• Appleby Blue Almshouse by Witherford Watson Mann Architects: A re-interpreted traditional almshouse in Southwark, designed to reduce social isolation for older generations.
• Citizens House by Archio: A development of 11 affordable homes promoting interaction among residents and providing play space for children.
• Hazelmead, Bridport Cohousing by Barefoot Architects: The largest completed cohousing development in the UK. The scheme comprises 53 climate-resilient homes, a common house, and shared green spaces.
• Tower Court by Adam Khan Architects, Muf Architecture/Art and Child Graddon Lewis Architects: A Hackney Council owned scheme to deliver affordable housing across 18 Hackney estates.

Jury Chair Dean Pike, Founding Director, Al-Jawad Pike, said: “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. The jury was unanimous in recognising that each project responds, in its own way, to the social and environmental pressures shaping housing today - reworking familiar typologies and exploring new models of shared living and sustainability.

“From urban almshouses and rural co-housing to community infill development and family homes woven into shared landscapes, each project places people at its centre. 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 Neave Brown Award for Housing 2025 jury comprised: Dean Pike (Chair), Founding Director, Al-Jawad Pike, Claudia Lynch, Director, Lynch Architects, and Victoria Mack, step-daughter of Neave Brown.

The Neave Brown Award for Housing 2025 shortlist is selected from winners of the RIBA UK Awards 2025. The winner will be announced at the RIBA Stirling Prize ceremony on Thursday 16 October 2025 at The Roundhouse in London.