RIBA Reveals 2025 Neave Brown Award Shortlist for Outstanding Affordable Housing

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the shortlist for the 2025 Neave Brown Award for Housing, an annual prize recognising the UK’s best new affordable housing.

Named in honour of modernist architect and social housing pioneer Neave Brown (1926–2018), the award celebrates high-quality, people-focused housing design. It is sponsored by VMZinc.

This year’s shortlist includes four inspiring developments that address key social and environmental challenges through innovative and inclusive design.

The shortlisted projects are:

• Appleby Blue Almshouse by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, a modern reimagining of the almshouse in Southwark, designed to reduce loneliness among older residents.

• Citizens House by Archio, offering 11 affordable homes with shared spaces to encourage neighbourly interaction.

• Hazelmead, Bridport Cohousing by Barefoot Architects, the UK’s largest completed cohousing scheme, featuring 53 sustainable homes, shared green spaces, and a communal house.

• Tower Court by Adam Khan Architects, Muf Architecture/Art and Child Graddon Lewis Architects, a major Hackney Council-led development delivering affordable housing across 18 estates.

Housing LIN is proud to have previously featured Appleby Blue and Hazelmead, Bridport Cohousing as an Inspirational Achievement and Case Studies. We look forward to reporting on the winner when announced at the RIBA Stirling Prize ceremony on Thursday, 16 October 2025.