London housing project Lion Green Road wins RIBA Stirling Prize 2026

The Lion Green Road housing development in south London has won the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, awarded annually to the UK's best new building. Designed by Mary Duggan Architects with Ruff Architects, the project was commissioned by Croydon Council and provides 157 homes across five blocks. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced the winner at a ceremony in London, marking the fourth time a housing scheme has received the award since its inception 30 years ago.

Design and Site Integration

Located in Coulsdon, the development replaces a former car park on a steeply sloped site that varies in height by eight metres. The five blocks feature faceted, star-shaped plans that are rotated to maximize natural light and ensure each home is dual-aspect. According to RIBA, the design addresses "the pressing need for national housing" while providing environmentally considerate homes with access to light, nature, and community.

The buildings are clad in three complementary brick types, which help visually unify the structures while giving each block a unique aesthetic. Shared green spaces, including allotments, playgrounds, and a sensory garden, weave through the blocks. RIBA president Chris Williamson stated that the scheme demonstrates how high-density housing "can be achieved without compromising the quality of the places we create."

Housing Mix and Community Focus

The development comprises a mix of private and socially rented homes. Half of the flats are private rental units located in two towers, while the other half are affordable homes in three blocks retained by the council, rented at local housing allowance rates. The project was funded by Croydon Council as a public asset.

Mary Duggan, of Mary Duggan Architects, described the project as "about the culture of dwelling," noting that it challenges conventional suburban layouts centered on roads and private gardens. "We think of Lion Green Road as a project about the culture of dwelling... architectural ambition, social value and social realities can co-exist," Duggan said. The design includes generous lobbies and paved terraces for all residents, regardless of tenure, aiming to create a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Award Context and Other Winners

Lion Green Road was selected from a six-strong shortlist that included projects such as Paddington Square by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and River Wing, Clare College by Witherford Watson Mann Architects. The Stirling Prize has been awarded annually since 1996. Previous housing winners include Accordia in Cambridge (2008), Goldsmith Street in Norwich (2019), and Appleby Blue Almshouse in London (2025).

During the same ceremony, RIBA presented four Special Awards. Satish Jassal Architects won the RIBA Neave Brown Award for Housing for Rowan Court in Seven Sisters. Samuel Chisholm Studio and Takero Shimazaki received the RIBA Reinvention Award for Oru Sutton, a co-working space in an old department store. Tonkin Liu Architects won the RIBA Client of the Year Award for the York Minster Centre of Excellence, and Architectural Thread won the RIBA Conservation Award for The Buttermarket in Cornwall.

Why it matters

The award highlights a shift in recognizing high-density, council-led housing as a viable and high-quality solution to the UK's housing shortage. By transforming a challenging, sloped site into a mixed-tenure community with significant green space, Lion Green Road offers a model for balancing density with livability. The project's recognition underscores the potential for public sector initiatives to deliver housing that meets both social needs and architectural standards.

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Sources

• dezeen.com: Lion Green Road housing wins RIBA Stirling Prize 2026
• theguardian.com: They asked for 80 homes – she gave them 157! Council-housing miracle named Britain’s best new building | Architecture | The Guardian
• bbc.com: London suburban housing project wins top UK architecture award

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.