'A Radical Commitment to Quality and Equality': St Andrew's Drive shortlisted for the 2026 RIBA Neave Brown Award for Housing

We are delighted to see St Andrew's Drive Phases 2 & 3 shortlisted for the 2026 RIBA Neave Brown Award for Housing, recognising the UK's best new affordable housing developments.

Designed for Southside Housing Association, the project has been praised by the RIBA as "a radical commitment to quality and equality." The jury described St Andrew's Drive as:

"A benchmark for socially conscious housing, combining clarity, innovation and architectural ambition. The masterplan arranges clusters of blocks around central shared greens and sustainable drainage areas, producing a clear, legible diagram and fostering social cohesion."

Replacing former deck-access housing with 120 high-quality, energy-efficient homes, the development creates a vibrant new neighbourhood that prioritises community, accessibility and sustainability. Through thoughtful masterplanning and carefully considered architecture, the project demonstrates how social housing can enrich everyday life while creating a lasting sense of place.

This latest recognition follows the project's success at the 2026 RIAS Awards and is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Southside Housing Association, the wider design team and everyone involved in bringing the development to life.

We congratulate all of this year's shortlisted teams and look forward to the announcement of the winner.

Read more about the project on the RIBA website:
https://www.riba.org/explore/awards/uk-awards/neave-brown-award-for-housing/st-andrews-drive-phases-2-3/

For more information on this project: https://jmarchitects.net/st-andrews-dr-2/

Photography Credit: Keith Hunter Photography