The development, which replaces a former car park on a sloping site, was praised by judges for its sensitive integration into the surrounding natural beauty and its "new approach to higher density development." The project combines affordable and private housing for Croydon Council.
Mary Duggan described the project as being "about the culture of dwelling," aiming to create non-institutional housing and rethink what affordable housing can offer communities. The design challenges conventional suburban layouts by incorporating winding paths and planting that weave between the blocks, linking shared outdoor spaces and creating a sense of belonging.
Riba president Chris Williamson highlighted the project's importance in addressing the need for quality housing, noting that many people from similar backgrounds to his own live in inadequate accommodation. The development's soft purple and pink brickwork and its placement among trees on the edge of green-belt land allow it to blend seamlessly into the landscape.
The project was funded by Croydon Council as a public asset and was recognized for its inventive and site-specific response to a constrained plot, considering criteria such as design vision, innovation, sustainability, and functionality.