Lion Green Road, a 157-home council housing scheme in Coulsdon, South London, has won the RIBA Stirling Prize 2026. The development was designed by Mary Duggan Architects with RUFF Architects and built for Croydon Council by main contractor CField Construction under a £34m deal.
The scheme occupies a former car park on a sloping site with an eight-metre change in level. Its five blocks are arranged to use the site’s changing heights and views, linking the busy Lion Green Road with the green parkland beyond. The layout is described as creating a new landscape for 635 residents.
Efficiency and place quality
Efficient construction methods, simple finishes and a streamlined building process helped the project reduce carbon emissions. The jury’s comments focused on how the scheme combines density with design quality.
Chris Williamson, RIBA President, speaking for the jury, said the project demonstrated that density need not compromise the quality of places. He said a consistent specification, with small variations in height and orientation, allowed housing at scale without uniformity. The jury also described the layout as a garden neighbourhood that balances privacy and generous views with a strong connection to nature — a living landscape.
Williamson added that the scheme showed how even a difficult site could be turned into a distinctive place for people to call home.