South London Housing Estate Wins UK's Most Prestigious Architecture Prize

The Royal Institute of British Architects announced on 16 October 2026 that the Lion Green Road estate in Croydon, south London, is the winner of the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize — the award given each year to the building judged to have made the greatest contribution to the evolution of British architecture. Designed by Mary Duggan Architects working alongside Ruff Architects, and commissioned by Croydon Council, the project comprises 157 homes arranged across five interconnected blocks in a distinctive star-shaped layout. The configuration means every single home in the development is dual-aspect, maximising natural light and views across the surrounding neighbourhood. The site was previously used as a car park on a steep hillside. Roughly half of the homes are privately rented and half are affordable, socially rented properties, demonstrating that density and design quality need not be in conflict. Shared green spaces and pedestrian routes weave between the blocks. RIBA President Chris Williamson said: 'At a time when we urgently need to deliver more homes, Lion Green Road shows that density can be achieved without compromising the quality of the places we create.' The jury praised the project for creating 'a welcoming and inclusive place where people can connect with one another, and with nature.' The win follows the 2025 Stirling Prize, which also went to a London social housing project.