A housing project in London designed to combat loneliness has won the prestigious Riba Stirling Prize for Britain’s best new building. The Appleby Blue Almshouse in Bermondsey provides affordable homes for older people, emphasizing communal living to foster social connections.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) announced the winner of the 2025 Stirling Prize, with Appleby Blue Almshouse in Southwark, London, taking the top honor. The complex offers 59 affordable flats for people over 65, built on the site of a former care home by United St Saviour’s Charity. This modern interpretation of the traditional almshouse aims to address the growing issue of loneliness among the elderly, providing a model for social housing that prioritizes well-being over mere shelter.
Architects Witherford Watson Mann incorporated various design elements to encourage interaction among residents. Features include a roof garden, courtyard, and community kitchen, all intended to create a sense of community. The building’s terracotta-paved hallways with benches and plants, along with a water feature, give it the feel of a “woodland oasis,” as described by Riba, fostering an environment that feels more like a home than an institution.
The project was specifically designed to combat loneliness, a significant problem in older populations. By providing shared spaces, it contrasts with the institutional atmosphere often associated with senior housing. The judges praised the building for setting an “ambitious standard for social housing,” highlighting its thoughtful and high-quality spaces that truly care for residents and promote mental and social health through intentional design.
Ingrid Schroder, a jury member and director of the Architectural Association School of Architecture, commended the architects for crafting environments that prioritize resident well-being. She noted that the design not only offers comfortable living but also actively reduces isolation by encouraging casual encounters and community engagement, which are crucial for combating loneliness in aging populations.
This is the second Stirling Prize win for Witherford Watson Mann, who previously won 12 years ago for their innovative holiday home inside Astley Castle. Their consistent focus on blending modern design with historical context is evident in this project, which revitalizes the concept of almshouses for contemporary needs, demonstrating how architecture can evolve to meet societal challenges.
The Stirling Prize is awarded to the building judged most significant for the evolution of architecture, based on criteria like design vision, innovation, and originality. Other contenders this year included the restoration of the Big Ben tower, a new fashion college campus, a science laboratory, and an inventive home extension, showcasing a diverse range of architectural excellence and highlighting the competitive nature of the award.
Almshouses have a long history dating back to the Middle Ages, providing charitable accommodation for those in need. This modern version underscores the importance of social connections in housing design and could inspire future projects aimed at reducing isolation. The win highlights the role of architecture in addressing societal challenges beyond aesthetics, signaling a shift towards more humane and inclusive building practices.
Previous winners of the Stirling Prize, first presented in 1996, include the Elizabeth line, Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre, Hastings Pier, and the Scottish Parliament building. This year’s selection reinforces the trend towards recognizing projects that have a positive social impact, suggesting that architectural merit is increasingly measured by how well buildings serve their communities and improve quality of life.