A £25 million development in Southwark redefines traditional almshouses by fostering community and reducing loneliness among older residents, earning the prestigious 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize.
Appleby Blue Almshouse, a social housing development in Southwark, London, designed by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize. The project, commissioned by United St Saviour’s Charity, represents a significant reimagining of the traditional almshouse, aiming to provide aspirational, high-quality homes for older residents while fostering a vibrant sense of community and combating loneliness.
The £25 million development comprises 57 one-bedroom flats specifically designed for people aged 65 and over. These apartments are arranged around a landscaped central courtyard, a serene space that brings natural light deep into the building, creating an inviting environment for residents. The project features communal areas including a ground-floor hall and kitchen facing the street to encourage interaction not only among residents but also with the wider community. Enclosed access balconies overlook the courtyard, providing sheltered spots for socialising and casual conversations aimed at reducing isolation.
Stephen Witherford, director of Witherford Watson Mann, explained that the collaboration with United St Saviour’s Charity sought to design “an environment that reduces loneliness, encourages connection, and supports a good later life.” He highlighted the charity’s commitment to making social housing aspirational, enabling people to age locally with adequate support, benefiting both residents and the wider Southwark community.
The thoughtful design also facilitates visual connections with the surrounding Victorian gardens, and residents enjoy access to a private garden located atop the two-storey block capping the courtyard. This integration of green spaces underscores a holistic approach to wellbeing and community engagement.
The jury chair for the Stirling Prize, Ingrid Schroder, director of the Architectural Association, praised Appleby Blue Almshouse as “a hopeful and imaginative response” to the pressing issues of housing shortages and loneliness among older people. She emphasised that the project exemplifies how architecture, infused with deep care, can blend functionality with community-building to create environments that truly look after their residents.
In addition to winning the Stirling Prize, Appleby Blue Almshouse also received the Neave Brown Award for Housing, with United St Saviour’s Charity recognised as Client of the Year. This dual accolade highlights the project’s pioneering role in setting new benchmarks for social housing tailored to older generations.
The project joins a lineage of notable designs tackling housing challenges for later life, following Mæ Architects’ 2023 Stirling Prize-winning John Morden Centre in Blackheath, which likewise combined housing and community spaces to support older residents.
Other commendations at the awards event included the Reinvention Award, won by Hugh Broughton Architects for their work on Sheerness Dockyard Church, which restored and revitalised a historic building for public enjoyment. Hugh Broughton expressed great enthusiasm about this recognition, noting the collaboration with Martin Ashley Architects and the Dockyard Trust to reveal architectural splendours for the people of Sheerness.
The Stephen Lawrence Prize, which celebrates schemes led by early career architects, was awarded to St Mary’s Walthamstow, a project led by Alex Spicer at Matthew Lloyd Architects, also among the evening’s distinguished winners.
Overall, Appleby Blue Almshouse exemplifies a transformative model in social housing design, demonstrating how attentive architecture can support the wellbeing and social connections of older residents while integrally linking the development to its urban context.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is current, reporting on the recent award of the 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize to Witherford Watson Mann’s Appleby Blue Almshouse. The award was announced on October 16, 2025, and the article was published shortly thereafter, ensuring high freshness. ([riba.org](https://www.riba.org/news/uk-s-best-new-building-appleby-blue-almshouse-wins-riba-stirling-prize-2025-for-architecture/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Stephen Witherford and Ingrid Schroder. A search reveals that these quotes have been used in other reputable sources, such as the RIBA Journal and Archinect, indicating they are not exclusive to this report. ([ribaj.com](https://www.ribaj.com/buildings/stirling-prize-2025-winner-appleby-blue-almshouse?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from BDOnline, a reputable UK-based architecture news outlet. The information aligns with reports from other established sources, including the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Royal Institute of British Architects Journal (RIBAJ), confirming the reliability of the information. ([riba.org](https://www.riba.org/news/uk-s-best-new-building-appleby-blue-almshouse-wins-riba-stirling-prize-2025-for-architecture/?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims in the narrative are plausible and consistent with other reputable reports. The description of the Appleby Blue Almshouse and its design objectives aligns with information from RIBA and RIBAJ, confirming the accuracy of the details provided. ([riba.org](https://www.riba.org/news/uk-s-best-new-building-appleby-blue-almshouse-wins-riba-stirling-prize-2025-for-architecture/?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current and aligns with information from reputable sources, confirming its accuracy and reliability. The quotes used are not exclusive to this report, but the overall content is consistent with other established reports on the same topic.
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