Building Awards 2026 shortlists: Housing Project of the Year, in partnership with The Housing Forum

Earlier this year Building announced the names of all the firms that made it onto the shortlists for our prestigious annual Building Awards.

Now we are shining the spotlight on each category in turn and publishing a selection of the images that impressed the judges.

Today’s shortlist is for Housing Project of the Year, in partnership with The Housing Forum.

Drees & Sommer UK– Jigsaw Homes Wharton Road

Wharton Road is a 205-home affordable housing development in Winsford, providing a mix of affordable rent and shared-ownership homes in response to pressing local need. Designed as an inclusive, tenure-blind neighbourhood, the scheme combines generous homes, public open space and strong transport links.

All homes achieve a minimum EPC B rating, with photovoltaics and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery helping reduce running costs while improving quality. The development also prioritises long-term durability and adaptability, supporting residents to remain in their homes as needs change.

When the original contractor entered administration, the project team, including Drees & Sommer, responded decisively, reassessing and re-procuring works while protecting design quality, cost and programme. Rigorous quality assurance and collaborative delivery mean it is expected to complete ahead of programme. Strong demand, with rental homes occupied immediately and shared-ownership properties allocated before completion, underlines its success in meeting local housing needs.

HTA Design – Braund Mansions

Braund Mansions, designed by HTA for Wandsworth council, delivers 126 climate-conscious, 100% affordable homes on vacant land, providing the first building in the Winstanley and York Road estate regeneration. Shaped by more than 200 community engagement events, its three-building composition responds sensitively to local housing traditions. A hybrid typology balances density, cost and quality, while 18 wheelchair-accessible homes and six-bedroom family homes exceed London Plan requirements. Dual-aspect layouts maximise daylight and ventilation, while a fabric-first approach achieves a 53% CO2 reduction against Part L 2013. Tailored allocations and phased moves have delivered transformative outcomes for residents, complemented by inclusive play, landscaped communal space, improved infrastructure and commercial space that help unlock the wider regeneration programme.

Kendall Kingscott – Hounslow small sites programme

Kendall Kingscott, on behalf of Sapphire Independent Housing, has transformed six underused garage sites across Hounslow into 36 high-quality, affordable homes, demonstrating how constrained urban land can deliver sustainable housing at scale. A consistent architectural language is carefully adapted to each backland site, addressing privacy, access and relationships with neighbouring homes while creating welcoming communal spaces. All homes are designed to Passivhaus standards and operational net zero carbon, combining fabric-first construction, air source heat pumps, MVHR and photovoltaics to reduce energy use, bills and overheating. The programme’s greatest innovation is its delivery model, batching six small sites to improve procurement, contractor interest, viability and consistency. Durable masonry construction and strong design guardianship further protect quality, creating a replicable model for affordable infill development.

KORE Insulation – Duneridge co-housing development, Findhorn eco-village

Duneridge co-housing development at the Findhorn eco-village demonstrates how community-led housing can combine affordability, sustainability and high-performance design. Led by Ekopia with Green Leaf Design & Build and local stakeholders, the project responds to Scotland’s affordability challenges by delivering energy-efficient homes at accessible price points. Sustainability is embedded throughout, with KORE Insulation’s low carbon Insulated Foundation System helping achieve an exceptional 0.10W/m²K U-value. The development is organised across east, west and central clusters, creating a phased approach that supports efficient construction and repeatability. Its use of modern methods of construction provides a scalable model for future low carbon housing, while the collaborative delivery model brings together social investment, government funding, specialist suppliers and local expertise to demonstrate what sustainable, community-focused housing can achieve.

MYCO – Acorn House, King’s Cross

Acorn House demonstrates how housing development can create lasting social value alongside high-quality affordable homes. Delivered by MYCO for Newlon Housing Trust and Precis Advisory, the transformation of a redundant 1960s Camden office provides 33 affordable homes alongside workspace, retail and community facilities. The project employed 41 Camden residents, supported 11 apprentices and learners through more than 466 weeks of site experience, and delivered 18 workforce upskilling initiatives. A further 68 students gained construction experience through Westminster Kingsway College. Around £1.48m was spent with local businesses, while 99.92% of construction waste was diverted from landfill. Community partnerships, charitable fundraising, active-travel initiatives and local volunteering further strengthened its legacy, demonstrating how construction investment can deliver meaningful economic, environmental and social benefits for the communities it serves.

Thakeham – Woodgate

Woodgate demonstrates how housebuilding can create lasting social value by putting community infrastructure, partnership and ownership at the heart of development. The 619-home West Sussex scheme, delivered by Thakeham with Abri, includes a £1.5m community hub, primary school, village green, walking routes and extensive green space, creating the foundations for a connected neighbourhood. Its strongest legacy comes through long-term community partnerships, including the hub’s use by St Catherine’s Hospice and a resident-owned, non-profit community shop developed with Plunkett UK. Thakeham is also gifting its former sales pavilion to Slaugham Parish Council, ensuring community facilities endure beyond completion. Extensive consultation and access to Tilgate Forest further support wellbeing. By transferring real assets and agency to residents, Woodgate provides a compelling, replicable model for creating communities rather than simply delivering homes.