RIBA announces shortlist for UK's best affordable housing 2025

The Royal Institute of British Architects has announced its shortlist for this year's Neave Brown Award for Housing, which includes an almshouse designed to reduce social isolation for older residents.

Also included in this year's four-strong shortlist is the UK's largest co-housing development scheme encompassing climate-resilient homes and common areas.

The Neave Brown Award for Housing is awarded annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to recognise the UK's best new affordable homes.

It is named after British social housing pioneer Neave Brown and spotlights "exceptional design" that places "people and communities at the heart".

Three of the shortlisted projects are in London. This includes Appleby Blue by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, Citizens House by Archio, and Tower Court by Adam Khan Architects, Muf architecture/ art and Child Graddon Lewis Architects.

The fourth project is Hazelmead by Barefoot Architects, which sits on the outskirts of Bridport in Dorset.

This year's jury is chaired by Dean Pike – founding director of Al-Jawad Pike, which won last year's award for its Chowdury Walk project. He explained that the shortlist reflects a need for housing that places people at their centre.

"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 said.

"The jury was unanimous in recognising that each project responds, in its own way, to the social and environmental pressures shaping housing today," he continued.

"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."

Witherford Watson Mann Architects drew on a traditional almshouse for its Appleby Blue development. Its blocky design contains 59 apartments and communal spaces designed to "encourage chance meetings" between residents.

Citizens House is a development of 11 affordable homes designed by London-based Archio to promote community interactions and offer play space for children.

Tower Court forms part of a Hackney Council-owner scheme to deliver affordable housing across 18 Hackney estates. Its 132 mixed-tenure homes focus on accommodating large families.

In Devon, the Hazelmead project by Barefoot Architects comprises 53 climate-resilient homes, a common house and shared green spaces to foster a sustainable and community-focused neighbourhood.

Alongside Pike on this year's jury was Claudia Lynch, director at Lynch Architects, and Victoria Mack, step-daughter of Neave Brown.

The winner of the Neave Brown Award for Housing will be announced at the RIBA Stirling Prize ceremony on 16 October at The Roundhouse in London.

In other RIBA news, a Scottish prison and a fashion university building have been named among its best British buildings for 2025.

The photography is by Philip Vile.

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