Housing designed for seniors claims top UK design award

Published: 17 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A modern reinvention of the traditional almshouse, designed to address loneliness among older residents, has claimed Britain’s most prestigious architecture award. The Appleby Blue Almshouse in Southwark, south London, was named the winner of this year’s Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) Stirling Prize, recognised as the nation’s highest accolade for outstanding architecture.

Situated in Bermondsey, the development provides 59 affordable flats for over-65s, complemented by a range of communal facilities aimed at fostering social interaction. Residents can enjoy a rooftop garden, a central courtyard, and a community kitchen, creating spaces where people can connect, relax, and share experiences. These design features reflect a conscious effort to combat isolation, offering older residents not just accommodation but a supportive environment that promotes wellbeing.

Judges praised the Appleby Blue Almshouse for setting “an ambitious standard for social housing among older people.” According to Ingrid Schroder, director of the Architectural Association (AA) School of Architecture and a member of the Stirling Prize jury, the architects, Witherford Watson Mann, have created “high-quality and thoughtful spaces that truly care for residents.” The careful attention to detail, from generously proportioned flats to terracotta-paved hallways adorned with benches, plants, and a soothing water feature, was singled out as exemplary. The overall effect is described as a “woodland oasis,” offering an aspirational living environment that contrasts sharply with the often institutional feel of traditional older people’s housing.

The Appleby Blue Almshouse was built on the site of a former care home, developed by United St Saviour’s Charity to provide affordable housing for people on low incomes. Almshouses have a long history in the United Kingdom, dating back to the Middle Ages, traditionally built to provide charitable accommodation for those in need. The Appleby Blue project builds on this heritage while bringing a contemporary approach that emphasises community, dignity, and quality of life.

The Stirling Prize is awarded annually to the building judged to be “the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment.” Projects are assessed on multiple criteria, including design vision, innovation, originality, and social impact. This year, the Appleby Blue Almshouse beat a strong field of nominees, including the restoration of London’s Big Ben tower, a new fashion college campus, a science laboratory, and an inventive home extension.

For Witherford Watson Mann, this is the firm’s second Stirling Prize win, 12 years after being recognised for their design of a modern holiday home inside the historic Astley Castle in Warwickshire. Their continued success underscores their ability to merge innovation with a deep sensitivity to context and human experience. Last year, the award went to London’s Elizabeth Line, highlighting the Stirling Prize’s recognition of diverse architectural achievements, from transport infrastructure to community-focused developments.

The award emphasises the evolving understanding of social housing in contemporary Britain, particularly for older adults. By prioritising communal engagement, environmental quality, and accessibility, Appleby Blue demonstrates how thoughtful design can significantly enhance the quality of life for residents. Spaces like the rooftop garden and communal kitchen are not merely aesthetic choices but integral to promoting interaction, preventing isolation, and supporting mental health.

Appleby Blue Almshouse also reflects a broader trend in modern architecture that seeks to reconcile tradition with innovation. By reimagining the historical almshouse, the architects have created a development that honours the charitable intent of past designs while addressing the needs of today’s older population. It shows that social housing can be beautiful, practical, and aspirational, setting a benchmark for future projects across the UK.

The RIBA Stirling Prize has a history of recognising projects that push architectural boundaries and enrich the built environment. Previous winners include Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre, Hastings Pier, and the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh, each celebrated for its design excellence, community contribution, and innovation. Appleby Blue now joins this lineage, illustrating how architecture can be a powerful tool for social good.

Jury members highlighted the meticulous attention to detail in the Appleby Blue project, from interior finishes to landscaping, noting that each element contributes to creating a sense of care and belonging. The water feature in the courtyard, for example, introduces a calming presence, while seating areas encourage casual interactions among residents. These features collectively foster a supportive atmosphere, encouraging engagement and combating the loneliness often experienced by older people living alone.

Beyond its physical attributes, Appleby Blue serves as a model for socially responsible architecture. The development demonstrates that even in high-density urban environments, it is possible to create housing that supports wellbeing, community cohesion, and dignity for residents. By addressing loneliness through design, the project highlights the transformative potential of architecture to impact people’s lives positively.

The Stirling Prize judges noted that Appleby Blue’s design could influence future approaches to older people’s housing across the country. Its combination of thoughtful planning, high-quality materials, and communal facilities sets a new benchmark, proving that social housing does not need to compromise on design excellence. The project shows that architecture can be both functional and aspirational, meeting practical needs while inspiring pride and enjoyment among residents.

As Britain faces increasing challenges in providing high-quality housing for older adults, Appleby Blue offers an example of how design innovation can address social issues. By reinterpreting a centuries-old concept—the almshouse—through a modern lens, Witherford Watson Mann has demonstrated that architecture can serve as a tool for wellbeing, social connection, and community building.

The project’s success reflects the growing recognition within the architectural community that buildings are not merely physical structures but spaces that profoundly affect human experience. Appleby Blue exemplifies how residential developments can combine aesthetic excellence with practical, human-centred solutions, ultimately creating environments where people can live well, feel secure, and engage meaningfully with others.