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.
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.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Media contact: jenny.webber@riba.org
- Neave Brown (1929 – 2018) was a modernist housing architect, best known for a series of housing estates in and around Camden in North London. In 2018 he was awarded the UK’s highest honour for architecture, the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture, which was approved personally by Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. Recognition for Neave Brown came late in life. His work in the 1960s and 70s was rejected for eschewing the high-rise norms of the time and instead – most notably in the case of Alexandra Road (1978) – focusing on a street-based alternative that placed an emphasis on communal spaces and shared facilities, whilst working within the constraints of local authority budgets and planning requirements and a dense and constrained urban context. His plans made clever use of space, creating capacious and generous rooms for occupants.
- RIBA Awards have been running since 1966. No matter the shape, size, budget or location, RIBA Award winning schemes set the standard for great architecture all across the country. RIBA Awards are for buildings in the UK by RIBA Chartered Architects and RIBA International Fellows. Entries are to be submitted to the region or nation in which the building is situated.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
- About VMZinc: VMZinc has been manufacturing a wide range of rolled zinc products used primarily for building envelopes since 1837. In addition to batten cap and standing seam roof systems, products include rainwater systems, a wide range of cladding systems, including a number of rainscreen facade products. Since its creation, the company has also produced decorative roofing products such as dormers, bull’s eyes, weather vanes, finials and balustrades.
