Full Breakdown
Lion Green Road Wins 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, Redefining High-Density Housing in London
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Award Announcement
On 15 October 2026 the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced that Lion Green Road, a council-commissioned housing scheme in Coulsdon, South London, had been awarded the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize. The following day, 16 October 2026, the prize was formally presented at a ceremony in Old Billingsgate, London. The development, designed by Mary Duggan Architects in partnership with RUFF Architects for Croydon Council, became the fourth housing project ever to win the prize in its 30-year history.
Context: London’s Pressing Housing Need
London faces a chronic shortage of affordable homes, with housing costs identified as the primary driver of relative poverty for 27 % of the city’s residents. Planners and policymakers have repeatedly called for higher-density solutions that do not sacrifice livability. In this environment, the Stirling Prize jury highlighted the urgency of delivering more homes while maintaining quality.
Design, Scale and Environmental Strategy
Lion Green Road comprises five prismatic, brick-clad blocks arranged on a former car-park site that slopes eight metres across its length. The scheme delivers 157 dwellings—a mix of affordable and market-rate units—intended for 635 residents. Each block follows a common specification but is rotated to respond to the topography, creating distinct views toward the historic Surrey Iron Railway and adjacent parkland.
Key design features include:
- Dual-aspect apartments that maximise daylight and privacy.
- Community gardens, allotments, a sensory trail and children’s play areas that foster social interaction and biodiversity.
- A “living landscape” concept that integrates open green space with high-density housing, avoiding the “ground-grabbing” approach typical of many developments.
The architects emphasised low-embodied-carbon construction, using efficient methods and simple finishes to reduce emissions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Chris Williamson, RIBA president
- “The Stirling Prize celebrates architecture at its very best, spotlighting ambitious design that responds to the needs of people and places. As the prize marks its 30th anniversary, Autodesk is proud to continue supporting RIBA in recognising the creativity and innovation shaping the built environment, and to celebrate this year’s winning project.” — VP AEC Design Strategy
- “It’s quite a unique piece of history, and also utterly unexpected to find in an academic library,” — Mura Ghosh
- “Collective action, rent strikes and protests, and encouraging people not to feel hopeless about the future – that’s an important message because people often feel like they’re alone in their housing situation,” — Emily Chu, a fellow curator and academic librarian at Senate House library
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources consistently report the number of dwellings and the eight-metre site gradient. No contradictory figures or disputed claims appear in the coverage.
What’s Next
The RIBA Stirling Prize 2026 is sponsored by Autodesk, which highlighted its commitment to supporting innovative architecture. No further events or policy actions directly linked to Lion Green Road were announced in the source material.
*The article synthesises information from multiple reports on the award, design details, and official commentary, presenting a neutral overview of the development’s significance within London’s broader housing challenges.*