A pioneering housing development in south London has won the prestigious 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, demonstrating how architectural excellence, affordable housing and community-focused design can work together to create outstanding places to live.
Lion Green Road in Coulsdon, Croydon, has been named Britain’s best new building by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Designed by Mary Duggan Architects, with RUFF Architects as delivery architects, the development has transformed a former car park into 157 homes across five distinctive residential buildings.
Commissioned by Croydon Council’s former housing development company, Brick by Brick, the scheme combines social housing and privately owned homes within an attractive landscaped environment.
For ember, the development represents an inspiring example of the ambition, creativity and attention to detail that should underpin modern residential construction.
Putting residents at the heart of design
One of Lion Green Road’s greatest achievements is its ability to deliver high-density housing without compromising architectural quality or residents’ experience.
The five buildings have been carefully positioned across a sloping site, responding to an eight-metre change in ground level.
Their distinctive brickwork, angular forms and thoughtfully arranged balconies create an attractive development with its own architectural identity.
Every apartment benefits from a dual-aspect layout, allowing natural daylight to enter from two directions while providing views across the surrounding landscape.
The arrangement of the buildings also considers privacy, demonstrating that increasing housing density need not mean sacrificing the quality of individual homes.
Creating a genuine sense of community
Beyond the buildings themselves, Lion Green Road places considerable emphasis on the surrounding environment.
Landscaped gardens, pedestrian pathways, children’s play areas, sensory planting and residents’ allotments create welcoming spaces for recreation and social interaction.
The development also establishes a new connection between Lion Green Road and neighbouring parkland.
These features reflect an understanding that successful residential architecture must consider the everyday experiences of the people who live there.
At a time when the UK urgently needs additional housing, Lion Green Road demonstrates that increasing supply and delivering exceptional design should not be competing priorities.
Architectural ambition and practical construction
The development also illustrates how construction efficiency can complement architectural creativity.
Consistent building specifications and carefully selected materials have helped deliver a cohesive scheme while allowing each building to retain its individual character.
The use of brickwork, variations in building height and sensitive positioning within the landscape contribute to a development that feels carefully considered rather than repetitive.
Its success challenges the assumption that affordable housing must rely on uninspiring or purely functional architecture.
Building safety must be part of the same ambition
For ember, Lion Green Road’s achievement also reinforces an important principle within the construction industry.
Exceptional residential design must be accompanied by an equally strong commitment to building and fire safety.
The architectural success of a development is one measure of its quality. Ensuring that residents can occupy their homes safely throughout the building’s operational life is another.
Fire safety considerations should be embedded throughout the design, construction and occupation of residential buildings.
This includes appropriate fire strategies, effective compartmentation, suitable means of escape, correctly specified and installed passive fire protection systems, and reliable building safety information.
The importance of these measures extends well beyond practical completion.
The Building Safety Act and the wider regulatory framework have reinforced the need for clear accountability, accurate documentation and effective communication between those responsible for designing, constructing and managing buildings.
The Golden Thread of information is particularly important for higher-risk buildings, helping ensure that essential building safety information remains accurate, accessible and up to date.
While Lion Green Road’s architectural award is not itself an assessment of its fire safety performance, the project provides a timely opportunity to recognise the importance of combining excellent design with robust safety standards.
Raising expectations across the residential sector
Lion Green Road’s Stirling Prize victory is especially encouraging because it celebrates a council-commissioned housing development rather than a prestigious commercial building or luxury residential scheme.
It demonstrates that high-quality architecture should be accessible to everyone, regardless of tenure.
For local authorities, housing associations, developers and construction professionals, the project offers an example of how thoughtful design can deliver homes that enhance both individual wellbeing and the wider community.
At ember, we welcome developments that raise expectations across the built environment.
Our work in fire safety consultancy, fire engineering and compliance supports the wider ambition of creating buildings that are not only well designed but also safe, resilient and responsibly managed.
Lion Green Road demonstrates what can be achieved when architectural ambition is matched by a genuine commitment to the people who will occupy a building.
Its recognition as Britain’s best new building is thoroughly deserved and sends an encouraging message about the future of residential development.
Great buildings should inspire confidence, provide lasting value and offer people somewhere they are proud to call home.
Fire contained. Compliance proven.
Source: The Guardian – Lion Green Road wins the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize
