Appleby Blue Almshouse Wins 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize for Social Housing Design
By
Lizzie Crook
The kind of bagel that ruins lesser bagels for you.
Summary
The Appleby Blue Almshouse social housing complex in London, designed by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, has won the 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize for the UK's best new building. The project transformed an abandoned care home site in Southwark into 57 apartments for seniors over 65, organized around a central courtyard. The design was praised as 'hopeful and imaginative' social housing that demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can create dignified living spaces for older residents.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe Appleby Blue Almshouse social housing complex in London, designed by local studio Witherford Watson Mann Architects, has won this year's RIBA Stirling Prize for the UK's best new building.
Created by Witherford Watson Mann on the site of an abandoned care home in Southwark, Appleby Blue Almshouse comprises 57 apartments for over-65s, organised around a central courtyard.
The design was praised as 'hopeful and imaginative' social housing that demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can create dignified living spaces for older residents.
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